ST. LOUIS — You know the saying, "third time's a charm?" Well, it sometimes proves to be true.
St. Louis Blues forward David Perron is in his third go-around with the organization.
This time has been different. After his brief stint with the Vegas Golden Knights, he returned back to St. Louis and played a part in winning the franchise's first Stanley Cup.
His 23 goals last regular season was the second-most in his career. He hadn't hit that number since 2013-2014. And it seems these numbers may keep trending.
On Saturday's game against Calgary, Perron scored his third overtime goal in seven games this season. That game-winning goal made him the only player in NHL history to score three overtime goals in the first 20 games of the season.
"In Vegas, we won a lot of games the first year in overtime," said Perron. "I think I had three or four as well that year in overtime. So, it gave me confidence knowing that I can go on the ice and make a difference."
Not even two months into the season, he's tallied eight goals and 10 assists. If the numbers keep trending this direction, Perron would be on pace for a new career-high, which would top the 28 goals he scored with Edmonton in 2013-2014.
"I haven't been around too many guys that are that competitive out there," said Blues head coach Craig Berube. "Like, he's so hard on the puck. Especially in the offensive zone when he gets it in there. He really hangs onto the puck, as good as anybody I've seen."
Berube then went on later to say Perron has one of the best shots he's seen in the National Hockey League. Not the kind of statement you hear often, if ever, by Chief.
While Perron's shot is lethal, and there's no denying his talent, there are other factors that go into this success.
The biggest? Ryan O'Reilly. Hockey is a sport of chemistry.
A team can lock down one of the best players in hockey, like a Connor McDavid, but if it doesn't have supplemental players surrounding him where chemistry can be made, then it won't reach its potential.
There is no denying that Perron and O'Reilly have built a tremendous amount of chemistry since playing together on a line. This began last season.
While O'Reilly is a goal scorer, he's also a player who does all of the little things on the ice. The face-offs, the perfect passes, the ability to read plays and set up formations, as a result, to prepare for a goal opportunity.
Playing with him will automatically make any player better. Not only in terms of skill, but in terms of self-confidence on the ice.
These two are able to create hesitant, no-look pass situations to win a game in overtime.
The chemistry has led to overtime wins, game-winning goals in regulation, power-play success, and an all-around better Blues team.
The team is riding a league-high, seven-game win streak. And it's not by accident.
This isn't a one-man sport, but Perron may just be playing the best hockey of his career.