As a Jack Eichel shot skidded off the skates of a defending penalty killer, the puck sailed into the corner, and Ryan O’Reilly knew exactly where he had to go. Instead of joining the scrum, making it a 2-on-2 play along the wall, he set himself below the level of the crowd, anticipating a clearing attempt on the boards.



So when Blake Coleman tried to throw the puck out of the zone on his backhand, O’Reilly was able to knock it down, and with a bit of maneuvering, he worked it back to the point. Instead of idling and admiring the hard work he had just done, O’Reilly cut through the zone, catching the attention of Damon Severson.



Seconds later, Kyle Okposo slid a pass across the seam Severson chose not to jump into because of O’Reilly, and Eichel hammered home a one-timer.



O’Reilly didn’t get an assist on the play, but he played a vital role in creating the chance. The Blues are hoping to reap the same special teams benefits...