MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS !

First of all I hope that all of my followers had themselves a Merry (little) Christmas and that your plans with family and friends was not interrupted by that horrid winter storm !

Tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs found themselves in St. Louis MO to take on the surprisingly average Blues.  This was the same club that won the Stanley Cup back in 2019 and yet now post a disappointing 16-16-2 record, 5 points out of the nearest available playoff spot in the West.

The Leafs meanwhile hold a 21-7-6 record, good for 4^th overall, despite trailing the unconscious Boston Bruins who have 56 points and just 6 losses to date.  Toronto is currently on a two-game win streak having beaten Tampa and Philly before the Christmas break.

The Blues started the game a little sluggish and the fleet of foot Leafs took advantage, peppering shots at Jordan Binnington from every angle.  Juston Holl banged in a Giordano point shot rebound to open the scoring after the 3:08 mark – his first in 32 games.  Momentum went the other way for about 10 minutes, resulting in some sloppy Leaf clearing and a Cale Rosen blast to tie things up at the 12:26.  Mitchell Marner did most of the work in the Blues zone, feeding Captain Johnny in the slot for his 15^th of the season as Toronto took a 2 to 1 lead to the dressing room.

Toronto appeared to take control of the game with an early shorty converted by Alex Kerfoot after some diligent corner work by Calle Jarnkrok.  That was until Blues Captain Ryan O’Reilly took over with his first goal in 8 games, roofing  his 10^th and the and 250^th of his career.  He played a major role in Justin Faulk’s PPG at 10:28 to tie things back up at 3’s.  Jarnkrok continued his great play converting a strong forecheck play by Pontus Holmberg to put the Leafs back out front with 4:44 to play.  Lots of rumours about needing a stronger scoring presence to join Tavares/Marner on the left wing.  More on that in HOPPER NOTES.

It didn’t take long for St. Louis to tie the game back up in the third.  Kelly Kyrou notched his 17^th on the Blues’ 29^th shot of the game.  The Leafs came on strong over the rest of the third trying to win it in regulation but superior goaltending at either end sent it to overtime.  In the extra frame, a reluctant TJ Brodie took a breakaway pass from Mathews while he was on his way to the bench.  He was tackled on his attempt but earned the penalty shot.  No dice.  A couple of shifts later William Nylander took a broken play in alone to score his 21^st and secure the 5-4 win.

HOPPER NOTES: Calle Jarnkrok got a well deserved first star tonight with a goal and 2 assists…guys I’d like on my team Colton Parenko…St. Louis and Toronto have been rumored to be in trade talks…I have said before that I agree about the need to another top 6 forward…here is how I would line-up that eventuality:

 Bunting                      Mathews                     Nylander

                         Reilly                            TJ Brodie

• O’Reily/Tarensenko Tavares                        Marner

                        Sandin                          Liligren    

• Kerfoot                      Kampf                            Jarnkrok

                          Giordano                        Holl

• Dryden Hunt             Holmberg                        Joey Anderson

Depth Forwards:  Aston-Reese, Wayne Simmonds

Depth D-men:        Connor Timmins, Jordie Benn

To accommodate the acquisition of O’Reilly or Tarasenko:  send a second rounder, Pierre Engvall and either Nick Robertson or Matthew Knies.

That is all – enjoy the rest of your time off and don’t forget our Team Canada Juniors !!