{"id":1746,"date":"2016-09-26T14:20:56","date_gmt":"2016-09-26T18:20:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=1746"},"modified":"2016-09-26T15:07:49","modified_gmt":"2016-09-26T19:07:49","slug":"st-louis-blues-columbus-blue-jackets-split-squad-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/09\/26\/st-louis-blues-columbus-blue-jackets-split-squad-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Louis Blues and Columbus Blue Jackets Sunday Split Squad Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yes that’s right, the wait is finally over. Camps have begun for every NHL<\/strong><\/a> team and preseason hockey rolled in Sunday with two games. The St. Louis Blues<\/strong> and Columbus Blue Jackets<\/strong> opened the NHL preseason schedule with a pair of games only hours apart from each other. For each side there was a different takeaway at the conclusion of the weekend.<\/p>\n

St. Louis Blues and Columbus Blue Jackets Sunday Split Squad Recap<\/h2>\n

Game One<\/h2>\n

Game one was a prime example of one team stacking the deck. The Blues playing their first game at home made sure the lineup was filled with veterans. Even with the team missing the likes of Vladimir Tarasenko<\/a><\/strong>, Alex Pietrangelo<\/a><\/strong>, and Jay Bouwmeester<\/a><\/strong>, the Blues, had the edge. But often in preseason, the players who shine are the ones many don’t expect. Kenny Agostino<\/a><\/strong> was that player for the Blues today. After being picked up by the Blues back in July, he made everyone take notice with a five-point day. The 24-year old who at this point had just played 10 NHL games, had quite the productive season in the AHL<\/strong>\u00a0last year. In 65 games with the Stockton Heat<\/strong>, he put up 23 goals and 57 points.<\/p>\n

Samuel Blais<\/h3>\n

Another Blues player who stood out was prospect Samuel Blais<\/strong>, a four-point day for the 20-year-old who had a beauty of a goal in the third period. The heavily talked about Kevin Shattenkirk<\/a> <\/strong>was already in midseason form, putting in two goals and adding a helper. When it came to goaltending Jake Allen<\/a><\/strong> not unlike to the upcoming regular season, made the start. Carter Hutton<\/a><\/strong> came in relief for the third period but only faced two shots the entire 20 minutes. To say he was not tested often is an understatement.<\/p>\n

\n

KENNY AGOSTINO. Another assist gives him a five-point day for the #stlblues<\/a> (2G, 3A).<\/p>\n

— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) September 25, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n