I seriously cannot wait until free agency when Colaiacovo and Huskins leave and we actually get a legit defenseman who can play with Pietrangelo. This is such a huge need.
I seriously cannot wait until free agency when Colaiacovo and Huskins leave and we actually get a legit defenseman who can play with Pietrangelo. This is such a huge need.
Maybe Calgary covets Rattie enough that Giordano could be pried free. We'd have to add. But Rattie + Cole for Giordano is a deal I'd do.
Meh...I think it was said in the Water-Cooler section of STLToday by Roger Hensley that when the Blues made the playoffs in 08-09 they finished the year 8-1-1 and proceeded to get swept by the Nucks in Rd 1, while Detroit stumbled into the playoffs at 3-6-1 and advanced to the WCF.
Sure it would be nice to go into the playoffs hot...but even so, those 3-4 days off could have killed any positive momentum this team had. Going in slumping with a sense of urgency might not be the worst thing in the world...perhaps better than going in feeling comfortable with their game and having an unanticipated complacency.
As Robb pointed out though, the 08-09 team was in a much different scenario from this squad. They made the playoffs as the result of that miracle run and weren't expected to do much against Vancouver.
By contrast, this year's team is just starting to get their first taste of a winning culture and the expectations (both self-imposed and those carried by the fans and media) that come with it. That's all relatively new, and so is the pressure. They don't have a bunch of veteran guys like a Detroit or a Vancouver who have been winning for a while and are accustomed to being part of the playoffs every year. I think it's probably easier not to panic going into the postseason on a skid if you're an experienced team who's dealt with that sort of adversity before. It's different for a fledgling contender whose confidence may be more fragile. I can't say for sure, but if you were to pull up a list of teams who ended the regular season on a bad slump and still made a deep run in the playoffs (like the 08-09 Wings), I'm willing to bet that most of them are teams with a lot of playoff experience.
I mean, you're right - it could be that this late losing streak helps them to get their butts in gear. I'm not predicting doom and gloom. I just don't buy the idea that it doesn't matter how the Blues are playing going into the playoffs and I don't think the players feel that way either. They need something to build on going into game 1, something to help settle them down and get some of that confidence back.That's what I think (hope) they can achieve with a good, solid win to close out the season.
Last edited by kittensmasher: 04-07-2012 at 08:04 AM.
Reason: who's/whose...derp
As Robb pointed out though, the 08-09 team was in a much different scenario from this squad. They made the playoffs as the result of that miracle run and weren't expected to do much against Vancouver.
By contrast, this year's team is just starting to get their first taste of a winning culture and the expectations (both self-imposed and those carried by the fans and media) that come with it. That's all relatively new, and so is the pressure. They don't have a bunch of veteran guys in an established winning culture like a Detroit or a Vancouver who are accustomed to being part of the playoffs every year. I think it's probably easier not to panic going into the postseason on a skid if you're an experienced team who's dealt with that sort of adversity before. It's different for a fledgling contender who's confidence may be more fragile.
I mean, you're right - it could be that this late losing streak helps them to get their butts in gear. I'm not predicting doom and gloom. I just don't buy the idea that it doesn't matter how the Blues are playing going into the playoffs and I don't think the players feel that way either. They need something to build on going into game 1, something to help settle them down and get some of that confidence back.That's what I think (hope) they can achieve with a good, solid win to close out the season.
I have to agree that a young core that doesn't have overwhelming high skilled players, that hasn't had allot experience, isn’t likely to rebound in the playoffs playing like this coming down stretch.
I also think something might be happening, they look a little tired both mentally and physically. When Hitchcock came and got them all playing his 200ft game, they all bought in and went on a long, long run, just out playing everyone almost every night. And that’s exactly what should have happened, but because this is their first or second time going through these type of games they’re just not prepared mentally for the long physical grind that it takes to have a highly successful season followed by a long successful playoff run. I just don’t think they have enough high-end skill to overcome this; they have to play their 200ft defensive puck controlling system at a very high level.
Now the other side of the coin is their first opponent, they could be a team that shot their wad getting into the playoffs, and since The Blues have home ice they can gain some momentum back. This is what I’m hoping for; it never hurts to be lucky, but if everything doesn’t go so well from here, I don’t think there’s anyone, or one thing to blame. To me they just need to continue developing and get as much experience as they can, so I’m hoping they get by the first round so when the season ends they’ll feel like they took a step forward, but also having a better understanding for what it takes to play all the way till the end of May.
Their tanks look empty. Especially Langs and Arnott. Their play as of late doesn't instill much confidence.
If they end up facing San Jose, it could be very bad for them. San Jose has A LOT of playoff experience, and teams like that know how to turn up the pressure on a young team like the Blues. The Blues have shown in the last several games that when things start going wrong, they lose their discipline and take stupid penalties because they are pushing too hard. Even with their great penalty killing as of late, you can't keep going to the box, it derails all of your momentum if you do it over and over.
One thing stands out is that Oshie Perron Backes should be a lock for the playoffs.
There is nothing there anymore with Steen, in fact he looks a big step slower. Yea he gets lots of shots but they are not a dangerous line.
I agree. I've always loved Steen on the 3rd line, and I think he plays great with Arnott/Langenbrunner or Arnott/Stewart, whatever the pairing is. Steen is good defensively and has a lot of energy, so he can play the 200 ft game for Arnott like Sobotka did.
