Blues Pick Their Spots and Escape Detroit With a 5-4 Win
St. Louis won 5-4 in Detroit while getting outshot nearly two to one, 28-15. The box score makes it look like the Red Wings had the game on their stick. The quality of the chances says otherwise.
The Blues shot less but shot from better places. Their chances were worth 3.28 expected goals (how many goals those looks would usually produce), compared with 2.21 for Detroit. Detroit's extra shots added up to plenty of volume but fewer dangerous looks.
Robert Thomas led that charge without scoring. He had the best individual chances on either side and set up a goal while playing 23 minutes on a line with Jimmy Snuggerud, who finished with a goal and an assist. Justin Barron also had a goal and an assist from the blue line.
The Blues nearly scored a sixth. Mason McTavish rang a shot off the post.
In the Blues' net, Joel Hofer stopped 24 of 28 shots. At the other end, John Gibson allowed 5 goals on 15 shots, so the bounces went St. Louis's way as well.
