It has been a long road back for Patrik Berglund from offseason shoulder surgery. He missed all of training camp after suffering a summer training injury back home in Sweden.
He then sat out the first 24 games of the regular season as he completed his rehab and recovery.
But he’s almost there. His first-period goal Saturday in Vancouver gave him goals in back-to-back games and five goals in 14 games. Since his season debut Nov. 29 against Anaheim, only Brayden Schenn (seven) has more goals for the Blues.
“It’s nice to help out that way,” Berglund said. “Hopefully, I can keep going that way, but I’m still trying to find my game, the small details in the game overall. So I still have a few things to work on.”
Berglund was paired with Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko against Vancouver, but his goal was scored with fourth-line forwards Kyle Brodziak and Dmitrij Jaskin on the ice with him.
“I thought Bergy did a really good job,” coach Mike Yeo said. “I think it’s probably his best game that he’s played since he’s been back as far as him getting to the offensive zone, the way he’s moving his feet in the offensive zone.
“That’s a little bit more what you expect from Bergy. And it takes time for those things to come back, but certainly it looks like the past couple games it’s starting to be a really good sign that he’s getting closer.”
NO LACK OF CHANCES
Even with three goals against Vancouver, the Blues’ tally is a modest 12 goals in eight games since the Jaden Schwartz injury.
“We’re in one of those spells right now where we’re having trouble scoring,” Brodziak said. “We know as a group when it’s going like that, we’ve got to tighten up defensively and give ourselves a chance to win, and hopefully we’ll slowly start building our confidence back.”
But the Blues had plenty of chances against the Canucks. Breakaways and odd-man rushes, scrambles in front of the net where they had Vancouver goalie Jacob Markstrom in vulnerable positions.
“Yeah, we had some pretty crazy scrums around the net,” Yeo said. “Some situations where you thought the puck was gonna go in but didn’t find its way in there.”
Brodiak came within inches of a hat trick, because besides his sixth goal of the season he hit the post twice.
“The goal I scored was kinda lucky,” said Brodziak, who beat Markstrom from a tight angle. “Maybe a little unlucky on the other shots, so they tend to even themselves out.
“I thought we had some better looks, and hopefully next time from here on out we’ll start putting teams to bed a little early.”
PRAISE FOR TARASENKO
Yeo thought the Blues did a better job of taking care of the little things and playing a more complete game against Vancouver. He said the play of Tarasenko, who has been struggling to score goals lately, was a fitting example.
“Certainly one of the best games that he’s played in a little while here,” Yeo said. “Just his work ethic was very noticeable, doing little things like blocking shots.
“Games like this are a way to build confidence, too. I know he didn’t score a goal tonight, but you look at some of the plays to set up chances. You look at some of the little things that he did in his game, that’s what we need from him.”
BLUENOTES
Alexander Steen’s empty-netter in Vancouver was his fourth goal of the season and his first in 17 games. He does have eight assists during that stretch.
• Goalie Jake Allen earned his 108th career win, tying Grant Fuhr for third on the franchise’s all-time list.
• Brodziak’s goal was his second game-winner of the season and 20th of his career.