I think St. Louis is a better team, but San Jose is a better team than they've shown in the reg season games vs STL. I think SJ will make it a series - a long series - and win in a coin flip game 7. Plus, The Sharks are overdue to play over their heads in a PO series. This is very biased opinion.
San Jose was the team I wanted the Canucks to avoid in the first round, they just have the talent and experience to really be problematic if they suddenly find their playoff game.
I don't think anyone knows what to expect out of St.Louis, not a lot of post-season samples to work with, and they have looked beatable down the stretch here.
Sharks need to tighten up defensively and in net to win, they should be able to win with that PP and on the offensive side of the game if they can stop the Blues from scoring.
Just got Douglas Murray back last night, so all healthy.
I believe Mitchell is still hurt. Other than that, no injuries that we know of. Clowe and White sat out the third period last night so it's possible one (or both) of them are hurt, but the consensus seems to be that they were just being rested. Same reason they pulled Niemi.
And just as many neutral fans are claiming the Sharks should win so they can call us chokers after it's over.
What's been going on with the Blues lately? From what I've see, they haven't been as sharp lately. Injuries?
That's the maddening part - they finally got 100% healthy (for the first time in 160 games, according to the Blues' beat writer) over the last couple weeks but for some reason the team just hasn't been bringing it. They're having defensive breakdowns that we haven't seen all year, they're playing timid instead of with confidence, and they just seem to be lacking that Hitchcock brand of cohesion and work ethic that got them to where they are over the previous 55-60 games. There's some speculation among Blues fans that Hitch is having trouble finding the right lines or that team chemistry has been somewhat disrupted with all the returning players but nobody can really put a finger on exactly what the problem is. Obviously they've got 4 days to regroup and prepare for the Sharks so we're crossing our fingers that whatever's going on can be remedied.
When San Jose loses the poll on HF it usually turns out good. They like being the underdogs with Detroit 2 years running, this 7 seed is a blessing for them IMO
When San Jose loses the poll on HF it usually turns out good. They like being the underdogs with Detroit 2 years running, this 7 seed is a blessing for them IMO
Losing to a team that was a higher seen in the past 2 years in the WCF.. according to HFboards that's choking still.
No matter what it's choking, just change the name to the San Jose Chorkes.
Blues synopsis is very simple: everyone is healthy. For the first time since training camp 2 years ago, the Blues have a fully healthy line-up. Because of that, and because of their inconsistency down the stretch....none of us know exactly what lines Hitchcock is going to use.
I think Halak gets the first start, but I believe both goalies will play in the post-season.
Forwards:
Backes, Oshie, Steen, Perron, Berglund, Stewart, McDonald, Arnott, Langenbrunner, Sobotka, Crombeen, Reaves, Porter, Nichol, Schwartz, D'Agostini (16 guys). Note that Schwartz and D'Agostini are skilled guys (D'Ags was a 20 goal scorer last season just returning from concussion) that are likely scratches. What combo of guys are in the line-up is unclear, but I expect a more traditional 4th line than one with maximum skill.
Defenders:
Pietro / Huskins or Colaiacovo
Shattenkirk / Jackman
Russell / Polak
Scratch: Cole and probably Colaiacovo. Huskins was a little slow getting up to speed, but Colaiacovo is the weak link when being asked to play the big minutes Pietro's pairing plays. However, they've shown good chemistry and been that pairing most of the season. I wouldn't be shocked for Huskins to be scratched in the first game. Frankly, I think this week of practice will determine who plays.
Goal:
Halak / Elliott
A lot of people are agonizing over who deserves to start. I think as a Blues fan I can sum up what most feel: I'm comfortable with either guy. I believe it will be Halak in Game 1. Beyond that I'm not sure, but I think Hitchcock won't be shy about playing both guys.
Alrighty, be prepared for a mega-post.
Marleau-Thornton-Pavelski
Clowe-Couture-Havlat
is going to be the top-6. Honestly, this is the perfect time for the playoffs to start for this bunch. Thornton and Pavelski have played great pretty much all season, so they aren't the issue. But Clowe has played like his old self recently, which is an extremely, extremely good sign for the Sharks. Couture recently got of a poor stretch of play. Havlat is finding the chemistry finally, after being on the IR most of the season. And the biggest boost is that Marleau just scored a couple of lucky goals in his past two games, despite not playing great. That's usually an indicator that he's about to go off. And when Marleau goes off, it's very, very difficult to contain him. We'll see how he does.
Winnik-Desjardins-Wingels
Galiardi-Moore-Mitchell
is the expected bottom-6, although Mitchell was hit hard two games ago and didn't play yesterday. I imagine he'll be ready, but if not, expect Handzus, Wincester, or Ferriero to replace him. Winnik-Desjardins-Wingels has turned into at the very worst an average third line over the past couple of weeks. If there is an injury to the top-6, expect Wingels to play up there. Galiardi is a bit of a pest. Expect to hate him by the end of the series, no matter how it goes.
The defense will be comprised of some combination of Boyle, Burns, Vlasic, Murray, Demers, Braun, and White. I'd add Vandermeer as a potential injury replacement, but L O L the coaching staff would rather dress Devin Setoguchi as a defenseman. I imagine that White will sit, but he's actually been pretty good recently. I would rather Murray sit, but don't be surprised to see Demers benched because the coaching staff hates him.
Niemi flat out sucked in all the games we played the Blues in the regular season, but he's been at least decent recently. He's certainly capable of going on a streak where he seems unbeatable.
You guys have much better depth, but the Sharks have more star power. Usually depth wins out, but we'll see.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kittensmasher
That's the maddening part - they finally got 100% healthy (for the first time in 160 games, according to the Blues' beat writer) over the last couple weeks but for some reason the team just hasn't been bringing it. They're having defensive breakdowns that we haven't seen all year, they're playing timid instead of with confidence, and they just seem to be lacking that Hitchcock brand of cohesion and work ethic that got them to where they are over the previous 55-60 games. There's some speculation among Blues fans that Hitch is having trouble finding the right lines or that team chemistry has been somewhat disrupted with all the returning players but nobody can really put a finger on exactly what the problem is. Obviously they've got 4 days to regroup and prepare for the Sharks so we're crossing our fingers that whatever's going on can be remedied.
Oh dear, too much depth, the horror!
Hitch is a smart dude, I don't think it'll be a problem.
I believe Mitchell is still hurt. Other than that, no injuries that we know of. Clowe and White sat out the third period last night so it's possible one (or both) of them are hurt, but the consensus seems to be that they were just being rested. Same reason they pulled Niemi.
Wrong. We are still missing our MVP, James Sheppard
But yes, other than that, the team has mostly bumps and bruises.
in 6
this is brilliant
