The St. Louis Blues faced a challenging game against the Washington Capitals, marking their 12th instance of allowing the first goal this season. The Capitals opened the scoring just 59 seconds in, leading to a tumultuous game that saw the Blues concede five goals in the third period, ultimately losing 8-1. Rookie Scott Perunovich scored his first NHL goal, but the team's defensive errors overshadowed individual efforts. A pattern emerges, as the Blues continue to struggle with starting games effectively and maintaining focus, especially against teams perceived as stronger. The game highlights glaring issues in defense and inconsistency that need addressing if the Blues want to turn their season around.

By the Numbers
  • The Blues have allowed the first goal in 12 out of 15 games played.
  • St. Louis has allowed eight goals in two of their last six games.
State of Play
  • The Blues have fallen behind early, allowing a goal in the first minute in four games this season.
  • This marks their seventh straight game conceding the first goal.
  • Defensive mistakes have led to a significant amount of goals against, raising concerns about overall team focus.
What's Next

The Blues are set to face the struggling Boston Bruins next, where they will need to break their current pattern of poor starts and defensive lapses. Improved play against lesser teams is crucial to regain momentum and confidence.

Bottom Line

To turn around their season, the Blues must focus on defensive stability and better communication on the ice, especially when facing adversity early in games. Addressing these issues will be vital for their success moving forward.