The entire period saw just four shots for the Blues. Their second opportunity of the game did not come until the term had extended beyond twelve minutes.

The Leafs, however, took advantage of a few of their own passable opportunities. Despite Jordan Binnington blocking their best shots, the Leafs managed two goals.

A touch too weak was the first one. Toronto simply drove the net and managed to slide one under Binnington, who appeared confused by the entire situation.

A Blues turnover in the attacking zone gave the Leafs another. William Nylander’s pass was meant to go across the top of the crease, but it deflected off Matthew Kessel’s stick and into the net, giving Toronto a 2-0 lead after St. Louis was unable to clear their own zone.

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In the second half, the Blues performed marginally better, but not much. Even with a power play, halfway through the second, they still had only two more shots.

Still, the Blues halved the advantage. Following a successful puck battle, Nathan Walker shot from the right wall, and Alexey Toropchenko deflected it to make the score 2-1.

St. Louis began to receive additional shots, but they kept missing the mark and were ultimately insignificant. In the meanwhile, Binnington was forced to make a number of additional crucial stops, including as a tremendous glove stop late in the period on a Leafs power play and another breakaway punch with the blocker.

Midway through the third session, St. Louis had just one shot, demonstrating their continued futility. Toronto, meanwhile, increased their lead with a goal from a difficult angle.

With his mask in an attempt to remove the high short side, Binnington appeared to be leaning too much toward the post. The Leafs made it 3-1 with a laser shot that slid in after that exposed the far post.

Toronto should have had more just after that. However, Binnington made a great save on a back door play with just about six minutes left.

None of that mattered. The Blues pulled the goalie with 2:20 left and Bobby McMann got his hat trick with a bankshot off the wall and the Leafs took it 4-1.

Con: First period

Occasionally, a sluggish beginning can be ascribed to a strong opponent. Against Toronto, this was not the case.

I have nothing against the Leafs, but they weren’t causing global havoc. The Blues took no action at all.

As previously stated, they only had one shot until roughly eight minutes remained in the time frame. They managed just four in total, and none of those shots put the goalie to the test.

The Blues also failed to hit the broad side of a barn. They did produce several looks, but none of them were very wide, tall, or both. It was just a disaster of an offense.

The defense was put in bad spots because of way too much passing. The Blues passed and passed and passed and when it got picked off, they were in trouble.

Despite the opening goal being one he would probably like back, Binnington was pretty good. He stopped a big breakaway and a couple other rushes to keep his team in the game, but there was no help for him in the first 20.

Pro: Fourth line

Obviously when you score the lone goal through 40 minutes and you’re on the fourth line, you’re having a decent night. It wasn’t just about that though.

The trio of Oskar Sundqvist, Walker and Toropchenko were just creating havoc all around. Beyond just the goal, they were the only line that was bringing consistent energy.

Physicality, engaging in board games, and general high energy were all present. It was wonderful to see from someone, but it was reflective of how little the other guys were bringing consistently.

Advantage/Disadvantage: Binnington

I try to be fair when it comes to goaltenders because I have played the position (at a very low level). Regretfully, I may be among the select few admirers who truly appreciate justice.

Nevertheless, the only reason this game was even close was because of Binnington. I think I remember at least four big saves, if not more, before I lost count.

At least two breakaways were blocked by him, one of which came during a Blues power play. Even though it didn’t matter in the end, he made that crucial save late in the game to keep the score at two goals.

If not for the Blues goalie, this game definitely should have ended in a score of 6 or 7-1. However, that’s where equity enters the picture.

Taking things as they were, it shouldn’t have been 4-1. The goals were not the worst we’ve ever seen, but Binnington could have done better on the first and third one.

I still don’t really know how the first one went in. Nevertheless, it just felt like he should have had it sealed.

While the third one was a well placed shot, Binnington was cheating. I’m not sure how you do take away the entirety of the short side when guys are starting to bank it off the mask, but he just exposed too much of the far side.