Blues expect to be better in Game 2

ST. PAUL - After being outshot 52-26 and stealing a 2-1 overtime win in which Jake Allen turned in an unbelievable performance in Game 1, the Blues know they have to get better in Game 2.
And they expect to be.

"I think we'll be the first to admit we can play better," said Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo. "We (had) some discussion about what we can change in terms of limiting their shots. Fifty shots is a lot to give up. I know it went to overtime, but they seemed to be really aggressive. I think we can be a little more aggressive as well."
"They took it to us for most of the game in an honest look at it," Allen said. "We just need to get a bit more speed in our game, better transition. We're definitely going to be better next game. We've got more to give."

In addition to limiting Minnesota's shots and being more aggressive, the Blues want to improve in the face-off circle. The Wild won 59 percent of the face-offs in Game 1.
"There's a couple things we have to do different, a couple things we have to do better. That for me is the challenge, recognizing the difference between the two," said Blues Head Coach Mike Yeo. "There are areas we can't be stubborn and just think we can continue down the same path and expect a different result. There are some other areas where there are some things we're supposed to be doing and aren't doing well enough. It's our job to recognize the difference between the two of those.
"We weren't good enough in the offensive zone, and because of that we ended up spending a lot more time handling retrieval under heavy forecheck pressure," Yeo added. "That's a good team. It think we're getting a taste of what we're going to see in this series… If we have to do what we did last game and fight through it and defend hard, then that's what we're going to have to do."