Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

Hats off to Blues' Perron: He seems to be up to his old tricks

He scored three goals in victory over Vancouver

ST. LOUIS -- Sometimes when the puck is on his stick, David Perron is part forward, part French-Canadian and part magician.

The St. Louis Blues left winger has spent thousands of hours honing his craft. That handiwork was on display again Tuesday when he scored his first career hat trick in a 6-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

Despite scoring three goals, Perron seemed more happy about the win that snapped his team's five-game losing streak. He also was thrilled by the 10-point performance by himself and linemates Andy McDonald (one goal, two assists) and Brad Boyes (one goal, three assists).

The line has shown great promise in the last two games and should be together again tonight when the Blues (6-6-4) play host to Central Division rival Nashville (7-8-1).

"We've been creating a lot of scoring chances and we knew it was coming," Perron said of the Blues' four-goal explosion in the first period. "For me, I've felt really good all year. There's always some stuff you can improve and I just kept working."

Perron and Blues coach Andy Murray still don't always see eye-to-eye, but Perron may be making some inroads with seven goals and 11 points in his last nine games.

He has a team-leading seven goals along with 11 points in 16 games overall.

Asked after the game if Perron was among the Blues' best forwards this season, Murray said "I think he's in that group. I'm a little hesitant about stroking our young guys too much, as you know.

"It's pretty difficult when he's got three goals not to recognize him. He's playing hard and he's been good."

Murray still pushes Perron toward more of an overall team game, but admits the precocious young forward continues to make strides.

"He's matured as a person and as a professional, bottom line," Murray said. "The more he does that, the better it helps his game."

Blues President John Davidson said Perron's passion is what sets him apart.

"The thing's that going to drive David is his passion and willingness to battle --and he's got both," Davidson said. "He's got wonderful playmaking skills and he's a kid that's still learning the NHL.

"He wants everything so bad. He's going to work so hard for it and prepare so hard for it that where that top end is, none of us knows. But he certainly has the ability to become an impact player."

Mac in the middle

Putting McDonald back at center appears to have solidified one of the Blues' scoring lines while helping nudge Boyes out of his scoring slump.

"It's nice to have (McDonald) move over to the middle; I enjoy playing with him," Boyes said. "He's so quick. With him being in the middle now, he can take advantage of that speed and it opens things up for myself -- and for David too."

Perron began the season on a line with McDonald and David Backes, then seemed to rediscover his offensive side while playing on the checking line with Jay McClement and B.J. Crombeen.

On Tuesday, Perron and his line pushed the Canucks over the brink by taking the game to them.

"Our coaches told us to come out hard out of the gate and we responded well," Perron said. "We were glad to get some goals early like that. It's always a good sign for our team, we've got to go that way all the time now."

Canucks revisited

It was a bitter, physical playoff series last spring when the Blues were swept in four games by Vancouver.

The feelings apparently carried over into Tuesday's game as Crombeen and Vancouver's Kevin Bieksa fought twice and two different Canucks dropped the gloves with Blues enforcer Cam Janssen.

"Obviously, we're always going to remember that series last year," Perron said. "And it was even better to get (a win) against these guys. We still remember some of the stuff they did out there, the chirping and whatever.

"But, you know, that's part of the game and we just have to go with it."

Janssen obliged Vancouver's Darcy Hordichuk late in the third period even though he had a long, drawn-out bout with Tanner Glass a period earlier.

Hordichuk picked up a two-minute instigator penalty and game misconduct during his fight with Janssen with 4:56 remaining.

Those actions will likely cost Hordichuk a one-game suspension for picking up an instigator penalty in the final five minutes. That infraction also carries a $10,000 fine for Canucks coach Alain Vigneault.