Hasek, I mean Halak... should be in goal tonight. I think the guy is a really skilled Goalie but since he has come along he hasn't been too reliable with injury after injury and it makes me sometimes question if he just wants to be "the playoff Goalie." The most skilled Goaltenders are worth nothing if they aren't sitting between the pipes every night.
Jackman is one of those players that will probably be at his body's threshold when he retires. Blues fans are lucky to have the players like Polak, Jackman, Oshie and Backes that show up for all 82 Regular Season games win or lose and if they somehow end up on the IR you know that they belong there. I know many will question this but I feel too many modern NHL players milk the IR and miraculously bounce into shape a month right before the glorious playoffs. Many times it's the high-dollar, highlight players that do this.
I'm glad I ate crow while talking bad about Jackman last year. Him and Shattenkirk have been our best pairing by far this year. It looks like both of them have really helped each other out and grow as players.
Like someone else said Jackman has been part of the rush on some plays and not looked out of place, could be Shattenkirk helping a little with his offensive game and trust built around it to let him know if you push I got your back.
And Shattenkirk has been great defensively, Shatty doesn't have a whole lot of strength and can't throw out the big hits, but his pokechecking and positioning has been PHENOMENAL.
I hate the way it happened (and I'm still pissed about the hit) but Tarasenko's absence is probably not the worst thing in the world team-wise. I think his adaptation to Ken Hitchcock's brand of hockey was clearly a work in progress and threw the team-concept, 5 man-unit system off kilter when he was on the ice.
I hope Porter plays. His speed and tenacity will be an asset as the Blues continue to re-find their team identity from 2011-12.
I honestly think it is more of an issue of Tarasenko adapting to North America than the Hitchcock system. I imagine that everything that has happened in the last month or so has been very emotionally draining. Some time off to start feeling more at home will hopefully do him a lot of good, just hope that it is only 7-10 days!
I totally agree about Porter though; Porter-Sobotka-Reaves
I honestly think it is more of an issue of Tarasenko adapting to North America than the Hitchcock system. I imagine that everything that has happened in the last month or so has been very emotionally draining. Some time off to start feeling more at home will hopefully do him a lot of good, just hope that it is only 7-10 days!
I totally agree about Porter though; Porter-Sobotka-Reaves
Will be good for him to get some time off to rest but didn't need to be because of a concussion.
I honestly think it is more of an issue of Tarasenko adapting to North America than the Hitchcock system. I imagine that everything that has happened in the last month or so has been very emotionally draining. Some time off to start feeling more at home will hopefully do him a lot of good, just hope that it is only 7-10 days!
I totally agree about Porter though; Porter-Sobotka-Reaves
Maybe let Porter skate with Steen and McDonald and see what he can do. He scored 7 goals in 12 games at Peoria. Let him go and bang for them, then go stand in front of the net.
Maybe let Porter skate with Steen and McDonald and see what he can do. He scored 7 goals in 12 games at Peoria. Let him go and bang for them, then go stand in front of the net.
I thought D'Agostini had some jump in him against Colorado. He knows he's fighting for his career. If Berglund and Stewart in career contract years can play with fire, maybe the same for D'Agostini. Maybe he puts up some numbers while Tarasenko is out and increases his trade value.
It is very unlikely we catch Chicago. We're gunning for the 4 seed, and who would we like to see #5 (who's in the mix right now)? I'd choose San Jose.
I think San Jose is going to continue fading. I bet Nashville is right there at #5. But I really would like to see Los Angeles surge into the #5 and then the Blues can get a chance to redeem themselves.
Sure, it would be a tough series, but if the Blues are going to win a Cup, I want it to be a great story.
I think San Jose is going to continue fading. I bet Nashville is right there at #5. But I really would like to see Los Angeles surge into the #5 and then the Blues can get a chance to redeem themselves.
Sure, it would be a tough series, but if the Blues are going to win a Cup, I want it to be a great story.
I'm all for great stories but it's fairly critical the Blues get to at least the second if not third/fourth rounds to basically fund the needed additions. You could always compromise and have us meet LA in the Finals (how about LA surges and catches Anaheim, they're #2, Blues somehow end up #6 and can't meet #2 til the conference fnals)?
Berglund always gets more ice time than Stewart. Last year Berglund averaged 17:58 to Stewart's 15:26. Stewart was 8th last year behind Sobotka's 15:51. This is part of my hesitation to pay Stewart a sizeable contract – he's not a top six player by ice time on this team. He's always 7th/8th. Before Tarasenko hit a slump he was 7th to Stewart's 8th.
Berglund always gets more ice time than Stewart. Last year Berglund averaged 17:58 to Stewart's 15:26. Stewart was 8th last year behind Sobotka's 15:51. This is part of my hesitation to pay Stewart a sizeable contract – he's not a top six player by ice time on this team. He's always 7th/8th. Before Tarasenko hit a slump he was 7th to Stewart's 8th.
BUT, he does produce for his ice time. 3rd on the team in points, and he also leads the team in goals since his trade here. He IS one of the more dangerous scorers we have on this team.
And there are more reasons that just that that I want to re-sign him. He will probably never be a reliable defensive player but this season he has shown some improvement. His conditioning is clearly better, he has solid speed, better effort, and the toughness factor is a big one.
Unless we are getting another power forward in return we have to keep him IMO.
After Olver hit Tarasenko, Stewart was one of the few who reacted to the Avalanche. And as much as he has been criticized for things in the past, the one thing he has always done is stick up for teammates.
This is why I find it absolutely hilarious that some of you guys view Tarasenko or even Jaskin as Stewart's "replacement". For as much as some Blues fans were upset that the team didn't retaliate for the Olver hit, you really want to make the team softer? If we let Stewart go without bringing in any more toughness I do think you people would regret it and it would make things worse.
Quirky scheduling observation. After Thursday's game against Chicago (Feb 28), there are zero division games in March and the next division game is April 4 in Chicago.
Actually after the Blues play Edmonton on Friday, they go on a five game road trip playing each Pacific team once, then come home for a three game homestand against the Pacific. Then they go play the VAN/EDM/CGY road trip. All in all, it's 15 straight games against Pacific/Northwest teams after the Chicago game Thursday:
EDM – 3
PHX – 2
SJ – 2
ANA – 2
LA – 2
DAL – 1
VAN – 1
CGY – 1
MIN – 1
Yeah i've noticed the Blues played Detroit and Nashville quite frequently early on and one have 1 game left against each, both away games.
on the Chicago streak... Remember just last season that streak Detroit had at home? did it get them anywhere come playoff time? No. Let them win the big martini trophy.
Kind of hoping Chicago comes into St. Louis without the regulation loss. Think the Blues would be very motivated at home to end that streak, and this team needs a strong dose of motivated, sharp, tight play. Our fans could also use seeing that to remind us that it's a) getting to the tournament and b) being in strong form in May and June that matters. Once LA dominated as an 8 seed (and met a 6-seed in the Finals) it should be clear to every observer that regular season is merely qualifying and playoffs are a whole different animal. Thursday should have playoff atmosphere.
