ST. LOUIS -- This was supposed to be a happy day for the St. Louis Blues after six more players found out they would be representing their countries at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.
Three of the Blues' 10 total Olympians scored goals on Tuesday night with David Backes (United States), Vladimir Tarasenko (Russia) and Patrik Berglund (Sweden). Two more Olympians -- Alex Pietrangelo (Canada) and Vladimir Sobotka (Czech Republic) -- added assists.
It should have been one of the best days in each of their respective hockey careers, but the Blues' impressive 5-2 victory against the Oilers in Edmonton may have come at a steep price.
The sight of T.J. Oshie down on the ice after a leg-on-leg collision with Taylor Hall late in the third period was difficult to watch. Oshie, who was named to the U.S. Olympic team last week, looked to be in severe pain as he was helped off the ice and into the locker room.
For a team that has been hit hard by injuries in the past two months, seeing the second-leading scorer limp toward the locker room was not encouraging. Especially considering Oshie missed considerable time last season after suffering a broken ankle.
While most of the news was positive in Edmonton on Tuesday, we will have to wait and see what happens next with Oshie. That will determine whether this was another good victory or a costly trip up North for the Note.
You can follow Nate Latsch on Twitter (@natelatsch) or email him at natelatsch@gmail.com.
