Tarasenko Fails to Impress in NHL Playoff Debut

All eyes were on Vladimir Taransenko during last night’s St Louis Blues vs defending champs Los Angeles Kings NHL match, with the young Russian finally making his NHL Playoffs debut after a roller coaster North American ice hockey career.  However, while there were high hopes that Tarasenko could help with his team’s offense, fans were frustrated that coach Hitchcock hardly let him play and partially blame this decision on the Blues’ tragic 4-3 loss against LA.

“So, what was the point of dressing Vladimir Tarasenko again?” wrote sports commentator, Allen Muir. “The dazzling winger barely got the spoon in his mouth for his first taste of playoff hockey before Hitchcock yanked it away and sat him down. He was given just one shift in the second period, and only two in the third after the Kings had taken the lead. No one should be surprised that Hitch doesn’t trust a rookie in a tight game, but if you’re not going to use him to create offense when it’s needed the most, why is he in the lineup at all?”

The close loss – especially since the Blues were up 3-1 at the beginning of the match – must have been an anti-climax for the 21 year old who has had nothing but ups and downs since  coming to America last June to play for the Blues. Soon after his arrival, NHL went into lockout mode and Tarasenko packed up and left back to play for St. Petersburg SKA until lockout ended in January. After his return, tThe player put in a dazzling debut performance, contributing twice to a 6-0 victory over Detroit on opening night.

However, things started going downhill after Tarasenko suffered his second concussion and was put on injured reserve for over a month.

Before the Blues vs LA Kings match, Tarasenko was told he’d be playing and he was quoted as saying: “I’m very excited. I love playing with these guys. I’m ready.”

But it was a disheartening NHL Playoff for Tarasenko with his limited time on the ice and the subsequent loss by his team.