I Watched This Game: Pre-season Special

The NHL regular season begins in six days, and with players still fighting for roster spots, that means hockey games sometimes take place in cities where there isn't an NHL team. Case in point: yesterday in Kansas City, where the St. Louis Blues took on the Washington Capitals. Naturally, the Blues playing here makes sense, since the Blues recently struck an agreement to partner with the ECHL's Missouri Mavericks, thereby making the Mavericks not only an affiliate of the Islanders, but also the Blues. Rather than give a blow-by-blow account of the game, I'll just put in the observations of the game.

• Seemingly, it was youth music night, as the intermission band was a Metallica tribute band called Hammerhedd, which consists of three youths. For being kids, they handled the material quite well, especially since it was mostly from the 80's portion of the discography. Also, the National Anthem was performed on guitar by a 13-year old. Again, no complaints here, as he did quite well.
• The Capitals dominated the shots on goal, and the results showed, as they won 4-2.
• I know it's preseason, but there were opportunities to shoot that Vladimir Tarasenko passed up on.
• The Sprint Center was a hazardous place, as a fan was forced to leave after taking a errant puck to the head while a referee skated off on his own power after getting his legs taken out by a falling Tarasenko.
• The Blues still have work to do, and clearly, not having that physical presence that David Backes provided will take a toll at some point during the season.
• Christian Thomas is making a case to stick with the Capitals after a two-goal night. Meanwhile, Jay Beagle and Daniel Winnik put up three point nights each.
• Braden Holtby wasn't in net. No matter, as Phillip Grubauer had a fairly easy night in goal, as the Blues couldn't muster many shots during the game.
• Attendance for the game was comparable to a Blues game and would have been more than a few other teams in the NHL.

Those were the views picked up from the game, and I will see you on Wednesday for Opening Night.