• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle NHL
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • THW Archives
  • More…
    • Columns
    • NWHL
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle NHL
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • THW Archives
  • More…
    • Columns
    • NWHL
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
St Louis Blues

Tarasenko Back to True Form

By Jeff Ponder October 13th, 2013

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

The start of the 2012-13 season could not have looked better for the rookie Vladimir Tarasenko.

In the Blues’ rousing 6-0 season-opening victory over the rival Detroit Red Wings, Tarasenko added his first two NHL goals in his first career game. He scored on a breakaway and then added his second on an impressive dipsy doodle against defenseman Kyle Quincey. This all came in the first 20:29 of the game.

Tarasenko wasn’t finished after his first game. He added three goals and five assists over his next seven matches. He added another goal and assist before a season-changing hit occurred on Feb. 20.

Vladimir Tarasenko

Tarasenko missed 10 games due to injury in 2012-13 (Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports)

In the Blues’ matchup with the Colorado Avalanche, Tarasenko was the victim of a questionable hit from forward Mark Olver, which sent him to the locker room and out of the game. It was announced that Tarasenko suffered a concussion and would miss some time.

The Russian, who already received a concussion during the lockout playing in the KHL, missed the next 10 games of the season. Through the remainder of the season (21 games), Tarasenko added just two goals and five points, dropping out of the Blues’ top-six forward group and playing some nights on the fourth line.

The difference in his play even warranted time in the press box as head coach Ken Hitchcock decided not to dress Tarasenko for five of the Blues’ six playoff games. At the time, Hitchcock called the season “overwhelming” for the rookie, opting to place veterans in the lineup over Tarasenko.

Questions mounted over the summer if Tarasenko could find that scoring touch again. Was he playing a timid game because of his recent injury disasters?

“Timid” is not a word in the Blues’ dictionary.

The opening of the 2013-14 season has been similar to last season for the Blues. They have stormed out of the gate, posting a 4-0-0 record with wins against the Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers. The Blues brass has also seen a scoring outburst, adding at least four goals in three of the four games.

Tarasenko has been at the center of that. He has notched a goal in three straight games on just seven shots. His first-period goal against the Blackhawks was vintage Tarasenko.

Despite being slated as the third line, Tarasenko and his linemates are arguably the most dangerous line for the Blues. Including Jaden Schwartz and Patrik Berglund, the Tarasenko line has posted five goals and five assists to go along with a plus-10 rating.

Hitchcock has awarded him with playing time as well. In Tarasenko’s final seven games of 2012-13, he averaged 12:22 of ice time per night. To open the 2013-14 season, he has seen an average of 14:45 per night.

The tale of the sophomore jinx didn’t travel to Tarasenko’s hometown.

  • Tags
  • Jaden Schwartz
  • Ken Hitchcock
  • Patrik Berglund
  • Vladimir Tarasenko
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Facebook Comments

Editor’s Picks
Martin St. Louis, the Little Big Man

Martin St. Louis, the Little Big Man

9286
'Mr. Hockey' Gordie Howe

'Mr. Hockey' Gordie Howe

9774
Recent Posts
Dec 10th 9:35 AM
Editor's Choice

Montreal Canadiens Need Clarity More than a Reset

Dec 10th 9:20 AM
Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings’ Holiday Wishes

Dec 10th 9:05 AM
Long Read

Rangers’ Defense Rebuilt with Speed, Physicality

Dec 10th 8:50 AM
New York Islanders

Islanders’ 3 Stars of the Week: Dec. 2-8

Dec 10th 8:35 AM
Philadelphia Flyers

THW’s Goalie News: Nilsson Leads Upset, Hart Rings Bell & More

Dec 10th 12:13 AM
Calgary Flames

Monahan’s Goal in OT Gives Flames 5-4 Win over Avalanche

Dec 9th 10:49 PM
News

NHL Commissioner: We Will Not Tolerate Abusive Behaviour

Dec 9th 10:45 PM
Boston Bruins

Duclair Scores Twice, Nilsson Makes 38 Saves as Senators Beat Bruins 5-2

Dec 9th 10:30 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets Snap Skid, End Capitals’ Winning Streak at 6

Dec 9th 10:20 PM
New York Islanders

Varlamov, Nelson Lead Islanders past Lightning 5-1

Stay in Touch
Contact Us

Via our Newsletters
RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Our Partners
HFBoards

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

Join over 18 000 Subscribers of our free bi-weekly Newsletter.

© The Hockey Writers 2018. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • Atlantic Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Metropolitan Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Dallas Stars
    • Minnesota Wild
    • Nashville Predators
    • St Louis Blues
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • Pacific Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle NHL
    • Vegas Golden Knights
    • Vancouver Canucks
  • Store
  • The THW Archives
  • Prospects
  • The Goalie Page
  • NHL Salary Cap Information
  • Join Our Team
  • Search THW