The coach in charge of the PK needs to be fired. Sounds like a knee-jerk reaction, and it probably is one, but being ranked 30th in the league (and looking like it) is unacceptable.
Offsides hasn't really been mentioned but it's been out of control so far this year. We're so weak crossing the blue line that teams just bully us out of position constantly.
Well, the Ducks were (essentially) 3 for 4 on the PP, and it was rather predictably the difference in the game. It needs some serious work.
Halak played much better than his stats showed.
IMO, Grachev needs to be on one of the top 2 lines next game.
Nikitin had a pretty bad game...he needs to show more soon, or he'll be sitting in the pressbox.
The Blues need to pick up a big, mean, tough, nasty goal crease-clearing LH defenceman. They need a guy that can keep opponent forwards from positioning where they want in our zone. We haven't had that since Pronger left. The current crew is not very effective in stopping the opponents from making plays.
If that guy is obtained, Nikitin goes back to alternating in and out of the pressbox. It solidifies all 3 defensive shifts. We'd be at least 4-1 at this point if we'd have had him from the beginning of the season.
I really like Huskins. He's much better than I thought he'd be, and he totally deserves to be in the top 6 when this team is healthy.
Sobotka and D'Agostini are building off of last season and look really good out there.
Pietrangelo looks like a legitimate #1 defenseman. I was worried he might slump in his sophomore season, but, outside of the first period of the season, he's been great. He and Steen have been MVP-worthy.
I can see this team being great IF they can get their special teams together. Even Just to an average number they could start stringing wins together. I feel like it may be more of a mental issue than anything else. When they clear its almost like they are hesitating or overthinking when they try to clear. Execpr for pietro when he gets the puck on the PK seems like he almost always makes the right play. Either finding an open lane to clear or a quick pass if there is pressure on him. Looks like other people are just hacking at it hoping to get it out.
Every time I see a Blues player trying to make a cutesy pass that leads to a turnover, he has on number 25.
I'd like to see Grachev take Langenbrunner's spot. That little experiment in "chemistry" has expired.
The Blues miss McDonald. And Perron. But I'm more concerned about the lack of a defensive presence. They need to demonstrate a little more muscle back there. The good thing about the Blues' system is that they get a lot of offensive time with good offensive defenseman play. The bad thing is that they don't seem to weather forechecking in our defensive zone well at all.
Other teams are going to understand how to play effectively against the Blues. Is Payne getting outcoached at times?
I really like Huskins. He's much better than I thought he'd be, and he totally deserves to be in the top 6 when this team is healthy.
Sobotka and D'Agostini are building off of last season and look really good out there.
Pietrangelo looks like a legitimate #1 defenseman. I was worried he might slump in his sophomore season, but, outside of the first period of the season, he's been great. He and Steen have been MVP-worthy.
These are positives, and its fantastic for our team that a guy like Sobotka normally plays on our 4th line. This team could be stacked if Andy McDonald comes back and when David Perron comes back.
McDonald-Backes-Oshie
Perron-Berglund-Stewart
Steen-Arnott-Dago
SOB-Nichols-Langs
without even mentioning Gracehv, Crombeen, Reaves, etc. This may not show right now, but our depth is going to show as the season goes on, as least as long as injuries dont kill us.
Blues need to find a consistently competent offensive defenseman between Carlo, Nikitin, and even Chorney. Carlo has always been a pretty nice power play player and has always produced, but if he isnt playing it doesnt matter. Nikitin has surprised with his solid offensive skills, but he is overmatched against opposing teams better lines with Polak and still has yet to produce at the NHL level. Chorney has kind of sucked since turning pro, but to his benefit he has played on some pretty bad teams in Edmonton and has a decent skill set. Cole should fit right in on the left side next season.
