Ryan Miller makes his first start with the Blues after being acquired in a trade from Buffalo on Friday. (photo/NHL.com)
Having been shutout for the first, eight periods since resuming NHL play following the Olympics, the St. Louis Blues woke up in the third period at Phoenix to rally behind their newly acquired goalie, Ryan Miller.
Patrik Berglund scored twice and Magnus Paajarvi and Kevin Shattenkirk added goals in the third period to give Miller and the Blues a 4-2 victory against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on Sunday.
Miller made 23 saves, after falling behind 2-0 through the first 40 minutes, but improved to 7-0-0 against the Coyotes. He has beaten Phoenix three times this season, twice before with Buffalo. Miller already sensed there was a difference in the atmosphere in the St. Louis lockerroom compared to the last place Sabres club he came from.
“They are a confident group, you can see it in the way they interact and talk,” said Miller, “The locker room is a lot of fun and the guys have a lot of faith in each other.”
The Blues become the third team to reach 40 wins on the year, improving to 40-14-6. The 86 points keeps pace with the Blackhawks in the Central Division, at 36-12-14, and the Blues have two games in hand.
They return home Tuesday night to face Tampa Bay.
