Hockey: Tim Stützle and the “Sens” manhandle the Blues

UPGRADE DAY

Tim Stützle has been one of the most dangerous forwards in the National Hockey League (NHL) since the New Year, and he proved it again in a 7-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa against the St. Louis Blues at the Canadian Tire Centre. 

The German forward scored two goals and added an assist, bringing his total points to 28 since January 1st. In the Bettman circuit, only Matthew Tkachuk (33), Nathan MacKinnon (30) and Connor McDavid (29) have done better.

D.J. Smith's squad exploded in the second period, hitting the target four times. Alex DeBrincat, Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson and Stützle gave Thomas Greiss headaches during this engagement.

Shane Pinto and Ridley Greig completed the scoring. For the latter, it is a first goal in the NHL, in his ninth game.

In the third period, Colton Parayko and Tyler Pitlick saved the honor for the Blues, who suffered their second loss in as many games since the trade that made Ryan O'Reilly a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Wild triumphs after a frantic end to the game

The Minnesota Wild had a hot, very hot Sunday at the Xcel Energy Center, but managed to save themselves with a 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators.

Holding a two-goal lead with five minutes left on the clock, Dean Evason's men took their foot off the accelerator. Roman Josi first cut the gap in half by beating Filip Gustavsson between the pads. Then, with 47 seconds to go, Nino Niederreiter brought both teams back to square one by deftly deflecting the shot from his fellow Swiss.

Overtime seemed inevitable at the time… but Ryan Hartman had not said his last word. A Jonas Brodin point shot ricocheted off the Wild power forward, who gave his side a second straight victory.

Kirill Kaprizov — who else — was the other hero of the match for the local favourites. He secured a brace, taking his total to 33 goals and 66 points since the start of the campaign. Brandon Duhaime also blackened the score sheet, at the very beginning of the middle period.

For their part, the “Preds” are gradually moving away from a presence in the playoffs. They suffered a third loss in their last four games.

Tommy Novak was the only other scorer for the Tennessee team. He also picked up two assists.