I'll preface this by saying I realize the odds are against the Blues at winning it all.
I've been watching Blues hockey since 1980. Year in and year out the Blues went to the playoffs only to get knocked out. It really did become expected from my point of view. It seems like I'm not alone in that.
I've seen better Blues teams than this current lineup. I think the main thing missing on those teams was always the goalie.
This current Blues team seems to be improving the longer the season goes on, including the PP and PK. I've watched them dominate good teams at times. It's been quite a number of years since I've seen that.
So why not actually expect to win for once?
I'll admit that up to this point I would say that I'd be happy with the Blues making the 2nd round. The hell with that. I want this team to just win it. I know every fan wants that. But now I'm going to expect it. I've seen enough of this team to know we can beat any team in the NHL.
Barring major injuries I'll be let down if this team doesn't go all the way.
So here's to this Blues team breaking the curse, and to this city seeing a parade down Market unlike anything we've ever seen before.
I don't doubt that the players/coaches believe they will. Man, if this team gets healthy and avoids major injuries.....I'm not sure who is going to knock them out.
I don't doubt that the players/coaches believe they will. Man, if this team gets healthy and avoids major injuries.....I'm not sure who is going to knock them out.
Love the avatar. Since the Blues are clearly going back to the playoffs for the first time in a while, I say our PO avatars should be 'boring' or 'trap' themed. It's been almost 3 years since we sported the Mario Bros avies...it's almost time to unify once again.
Edit: D'oh...just spotted the playoff avatar thread!
I'd say this team has the best shot at winning the Cup as any Blues team in a while. The only comparable is the President's trophy winning team that subsequently lost in the first round. I just hope they're not as big a disappointment as that team was. I'd be happy with making it to the second or third round. Obviously I'd be happier with more, but keep in mind that most of the Blues' most important players have little to no playoff experience.
Spektre, love the thought. The Blues have proven themselves to be one of the best teams in the league. You are right about the goaltending and this is the best defensive team in the NHL with arguably the best coach in the league. As we know the playoffs are a war. Often it is who is healthy and who can stay healthy. Hot goaltending sure doesn't hurt. This team has a chance.
Long playoff runs require depth at all postions and the one thing that all the injuries have supplied is that many people have gotten in NHL games and proven themselves capable.
I honestly am beginning to think they might do it. They are the best team in the West and there's just something special about this team...With how good they are playing, I can't see anyone except maybe Detroit knocking them out. This team's goaltending is too solid and if they score 3 goals it's lights out for the other team.
Earlier in the season I would have been surprised, but now I wouldn't be. This team is good enough to pull it off, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens.
I cannot even fathom what it would feel like to see the Blues win the Cup, but my God I hope to see it someday and this season we may have a good chance.
I'd say this team has the best shot at winning the Cup as any Blues team in a while. The only comparable is the President's trophy winning team that subsequently lost in the first round. I just hope they're not as big a disappointment as that team was. I'd be happy with making it to the second or third round. Obviously I'd be happier with more, but keep in mind that most of the Blues' most important players have little to no playoff experience.
Regardless of the team's youth and lack of playoff experience, after what this team has shown in the last several weeks (even with Steen, D'Agostini and Langenbrunner out, I can't be satisfied with their only winning the first round and losing in the second. They'll have to win at least 2 rounds for me to not be disappointed. They should easily beat the team they face in the first round. They should be very competitive in the second, and certainly capable of beating the team they face in that round. If they lose in the conference finals, I'll be a little disappointed, but proud of them, and looking forward to a Stanley Cup drive in 2012-13.
With the lack of playoff success the Blues have had in the past, I still have my doubts. Although we aren't as talented as the teams of the 90's or early 00's, I think the Blues far better chance of going deep in the playoffs. We've had better individual players in the past, but their team play is probably the best I've seen as a fan of 20+ years. I'm pretty excited about our future.
WOW. 1rst overall and back to back games coming up against the last place team in the league. The PP is clicking and the PK has been great, the goal tending superb. It looks like Dags, Russell and Lang will be back shortly. Hopefully the new ownership group will close the purchase and Steen makes it back before the playoffs. Steen was having the best season of his career. It could happen.
Im more excited about next year, not to say this year wont be great because it should, but with the potential to get tarasenko and possibly schwartz, a new owner who is committed to the city and the team( and new owners love to spend money), if we could get someone in free agency like parise, then the sky is the limit
I'm beginning to worry that this teams obstacle in the future won't be the development of their core, or coaching, or anything ice related for that matter. I'm starting to worry we will have a very small window as a contender because the expiring CBA, the absurdly rising cap, and our ownership problems.
Wings fan here, coming in peace. the playoffs are much different than the regular season and experience does help, that being said, I'm hoping that somebody knocks you guys out be fore we have to face you.
I wouldn't consider it a complete surprise if you guys won it all.
Wings fan here, coming in peace. the playoffs are much different than the regular season and experience does help, that being said, I'm hoping that somebody knocks you guys out be fore we have to face you.
I wouldn't consider it a complete surprise if you guys won it all.
Although I don't want to play the Wings in the playoffs, I do miss this old school playoff rivalry. I think it's only fitting that if we want to go to the finals, we must go through DET first.
Wings fan here, coming in peace. the playoffs are much different than the regular season and experience does help, that being said, I'm hoping that somebody knocks you guys out be fore we have to face you.
I wouldn't consider it a complete surprise if you guys won it all.
I know you had no ill intentions, but no one has the tell the Blues fanbase what the playoffs are like. I mean we did have a pretty long streak of about 25 years.
This team is a contender now and is set to contend for years to come. The Blues have all their draft picks plus extras. They have several top flight prospects, Tarasenko, Schwartz, Allen and Rattie with several others that will see NHL time. Look at the age of the core of this roster:
34 - AMac is probably the most dynamic and not easy to replace
28 - Backes & Steen in their prime years
25 - Oshie & Dags
24 - Stewart & Sabotka
23 - Perron & Berglund
31 - Jackman playing his best hockey
29 - Cola more than capable
25 - Polak
24 - Russell
23 - Shattenkirk & Cole
22 - Pie
This team is a contender now and is set to contend for years to come. The Blues have all their draft picks plus extras. They have several top flight prospects, Tarasenko, Schwartz, Allen and Rattie with several others that will see NHL time. Look at the age of the core of this roster:
34 - AMac is probably the most dynamic and not easy to replace
28 - Backes & Steen in their prime years
25 - Oshie & Dags
24 - Stewart & Sabotka
23 - Perron & Berglund
31 - Jackman playing his best hockey
29 - Cola more than capable
25 - Polak
24 - Russell
23 - Shattenkirk & Cole
22 - Pie
26 - Halak & Elliott
Next step stable ownership.
I don't want to jinx us, but I want us to win a cup this year. I think that in two years we're going to be making some really tough decisions regarding the roster and our young guys growing into big boy contracts. Especially if we start splashing around deep in the playoffs.
why not the blues is the statement that has been rung around for the entire year. I completely agree with everyone here, but shh... don't let anybody else know we are good. I just wanna go into every game underdogs and walk out
