ADAM JIRICEK

The Blues controlled the game on the puck and in the dangerous areas, and the scoreboard followed. They owned the shot attempts share at 56.3 — more of every look — and backed it with heavier-quality chances, piling up 26 shots to Ottawa’s 17. The chance value tilted their way too, with expected goals — how much the chances were worth — at 3.42 for St. Louis, showing this was control, not just bounces.

Up front, Mason McTavish carried the push with two goals, one assist and 6 shots, while Pius Suter matched his line’s punch with two and one on 4 shots. Pavel Buchnevich threaded three helpers and even rang the post — that iron tells you how threatening his looks were — and Jake Neighbours cashed twice on 3 shots. Adam Jiricek added one from the back end.

In net, Joel Hofer turned aside 15 of 17; steady, but the night belonged to the skaters. For St. Louis, this is the blueprint: finish and forecheck clicking, they can pin teams in. For Ottawa, the defensive layers that had been tight came apart here, and the Blues made them pay.