Tarasenko, Thomas, Buchnevich dominate in 5-2 win over Senators

Line combines for nine points, Tarasenko leads way with two 

goals, assist, was most effective player all over ice Tuesday

By LOU KORAC
The Ottawa Senators had to feel helpless every time they saw Nos. 89, 18 and 91.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

Vladimir Tarasenko shoots during a 5-2 Blues win at Ottawa on Tuesday.

Tarasenko led the charge with two goals and one assist.

They're just numbers on a jersey, right? Well, yes, they are, but those numbers represented all sorts of problems for the Senators on Tuesday.

The names that went with those numbers, Buchnevich (89), Thomas (18) and Tarasenko (91), wrecked havoc at Canadian Tire Center.

The only bad part about it all is about 500 people got to see the display that trio put together for the Blues in an impressive 5-2 win.

Where does one start with the line's dominance? Well, for starters, let's get the scoring out of the way, because it was a bunch. 

The line contributed nine points (three goals, six assists), with Tarasenko leading the way with two goals and one assist, Thomas going for a goal and two assists and Buchnevich throwing in three helpers.

It's not the line's first rodeo together before, and when coach Craig Berube put it back together for the game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, a 5-1 win, it was with an intent of gaining offensive results from well-rounded play all over the ice.

Those results came to fruition Tuesday.

"We play before together. We have some success," Tarasenko said after tying Jordan Kyrou for the team lead with 18 goals. "I said it before, we just try to play unselfish. We play hockey and enjoy our time on the ice. This is always very important when we working hard and creating some chances. We play well today, but I'm pretty sure we can play better. It was a good start to road trip for us. We have time to get ready for next game."

According to natural stat trick, that line had a 70.37 percent Corsi-for rating at 5-on-5 with 19 shots for and eight against. The line directed 23 shots at the net, with 11 on goal. Tarasenko led the way with 10 shot attempts and five on goal.

"I thought we read off each other well," Thomas said. "I thought we were working really hard for each other and getting open. Playing with those two guys is pretty easy. They put the puck on your stick in shooting areas and they get open in shooting areas. I think we just worked well together and we were working hard and playing the right way for each other."

Berube agreed.

"The Thomas line was excellent tonight," Berube said. "The puck possession was excellent. They were strong on it. They competed on the puck and they kept it and hung onto it. It's not always open space. They had to compete for it at times, and they were strong."

Tarasenko was leading the charge, not only providing the offense, but making himself noticeable all over the ice. He was skating hard, checking hard, protecting the puck, and when those elements came together, he was in positions to do what he does best.

"He's all over the ice," Thomas said of Tarasenko, who played 17:23. "He's playing the right way defensively, he's on the forecheck, he's always open. He's a superstar. When he plays like that, it's tough for teams to defend. Same with 'Buchy', same way for him. He was outstanding tonight as well."

And it was little wonder why the coaching staff kept getting that line onto the ice. It was leading the charge at both ends, and Tarasenko was the catalyst.

"Well his strength for one thing, using his body and his stick strength and hanging onto pucks," Berube said of Tarasenko, who had five shots on goal, two blocked and three missed nets. "His release was really good tonight. He hit a couple of posts, I believe, so he had a lot of shot opportunities. He was skating. For me, when the puck turned over and it was going the other way, every time I looked up, he was backchecking and tracking hard and breaking plays up. So, he was on his toes."

And just think, this is the same guy that could have been had for nothing by the Seattle Kraken at the expansion draft this past summer, the same guy that was on the trade block -- by his own request -- and teams either didn't put together enough of a package to the liking for Blues general manager Doug Armstrong, or Armstrong simply refused to deal him.

There's no telling what will happen down the road here since Tarasenko has one year after this one remaining on his contract, but his 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 43 games this season lead the team. Imagine where they'd be without his production.

Buchnevich, acquired by the Blues from the New York Rangers in the off-season for Sammy Blais and a second-round pick, certainly isn't too shabby himself with 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists) in 41 games, and Thomas is leading the team with 30 assists; he has 36 points in 40 games.

But certainly Tarasenko and Buchnevich have developed great chemistry together, and Thomas, who was aggressive shooting himself tonight instead of simply being a passer, greatly complements their games also.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

Vladimir Tarasenko (left) and Robert Thomas celebrate a Blues goal on

Tuesday in a 5-2 win against the Ottawa Senators.

"I think with the Thomas line, you have a puck-possession guy, but you have two of them," Berube said. "You've got 'Buchy' too, and 'Buchy's got great vision and he's got great composure with the puck. I think what makes it work is Thomas, his cut-backs and working the back of the net, he either finds 'Vladi' for a shot, or he gets it to 'Buchy' and then 'Buchy' has composure and hangs onto it and does some good things with it. The puck possession is real high with that line. They have it pretty much the whole time, and then you've got a finisher on the line. So, for me, that's what I like about the line, and there's very good chemistry with 'Buchy' and 'Vladi'. They're real good friends and they enjoy playing with each other."

"We try to play with the puck," Tarasenko said. "Like I said, I think we can create more. When you play with the puck, you have confidence during the game instead of chasing the puck. We had the puck, creating the plays. This was our plan for the game. Like I said before, I'm sure we can play better."