If anyone was wondering if Vladimir Tarasenko would make an impact in his first NHL game, well, your question has been answered:





All it took was three minutes of ice time in the first period for Tarasenko to make the highlight reels, putting a high one over the glove of Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard. Tarasenko has been keeping his skills sharp by playing on the top line for SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL with Ilya Kovalchuk. I guess that did some good.

The last rookie Blue to score a goal on his first shot was Jaden Schwartz, last season. The last rookie Blue to score on his second shot was also Schwartz, Tarasenko's first round draftmate from 2010. The latest Blues player to accomplish this? Tarasenko, of course. Just 29 seconds into the second period, Tarasenko undressed Howard again for his second goal of the game:





Detroit's defense has not been solid this game, and the Blues've been able to exploit it. If the Blues can find this intensity most games this season, things should be fine for the team's future.