GDT: Game #82: St. Louis Blues at Dallas Stars // Lets win one please!!

[Stang]

[CarvinSigX]

Originally Posted by sbet1998

I want San Jose at this point. Niemi is the weakest goaltender in that division.

Which is exactly why we won't see him. LA is going to turn it up tonight and destroy San Jose.

[SoulChaser17]

Originally Posted by sbet1998

I want San Jose at this point. Niemi is the weakest goaltender in that division.

We should all want to face the Sharks first. Kings have a higher chance of beating us.

[EastonBlues22]

Originally Posted by PocketNines

Phoenix is up 2-0. If this holds, Blues will be playing one of LA or SJ and that's how I'd choose it.

Agreed. Here's hoping for a SJ win!

[mizzoublues29]

Originally Posted by CarvinSigX

Which is exactly why we won't see him. LA is going to turn it up tonight and destroy San Jose.

However we could still finish 1st in the West with a win tonight and a Vancouver loss

[PocketNines]

Originally Posted by CarvinSigX

Which is exactly why we won't see him. LA is going to turn it up tonight and destroy San Jose.

1. It's in San Jose
2. LA hasn't been able to just "turn it up" all year
3. They're coming off a game where LA choked away lead after lead after lead.

= San Jose the favorites tonight.

[shifting]

That period was brutal. I agree with Twist, I may need to get a pillow for the rest of it.

[Fred Murtz]

Teej hit on Reilly Smith

[PocketNines]

Panthers up 3-0 at home more than halfway through the game and Washington about to win, which means the East is likely:

8 OTT @ 1 NYR
7 WSH @ 2 BOS
6 NJ @ 3 FLA
5 PHI @ 4 PIT

[SoulChaser17]

There are some variables here. In either case Vancouver needs to lose.

If Blues win, Sharks need to lose.
If Blues lose, Sharks need to win.

[Fred Murtz]

Teej getting rocked by Brenden Morrow

[CarvinSigX]

My guess would be that every high seed takes it in the East. If I had to pick an upset, it'd be Florida over New Jersey.

[STL fan in IA]

Originally Posted by CarvinSigX

My guess would be that every high seed takes it in the East. If I had to pick an upset, it'd be Florida over New Jersey.

I would also pick NJ over FLA but that would actually be the lower seed winning - 6 over 3 seed.

[Stealth JD]

Jeezus...the Stars are dressing basically an AHL lineup (including the goaltender) and the Blues have accomplished jack-squat. Gotta do better...

[SoulChaser17]

Originally Posted by CarvinSigX

My guess would be that every high seed takes it in the East. If I had to pick an upset, it'd be Florida over New Jersey.

Well Florida is only a higher seed because of their relatively weak division. So the Devils winning wouldn't be an upset. It should be expected.

Flyers have a chance against the Pens, I think. Either way that'll be fun to watch.

[Falco Lombardi]

Originally Posted by CarvinSigX

My guess would be that every high seed takes it in the East. If I had to pick an upset, it'd be Florida over New Jersey.

Senators have been pretty good against the Rangers this year.

I'd be pretty surprised if New Jersey took more than 5 games to beat Florida

[Stang]

quick whistle again tonight

[CarvinSigX]

Quick whistle is quick.

[superblues]

Fastest whistle in the west.

[STL fan in IA]

The Blues just need to play their game tonight. Up the intensity and get ready for the playoffs. Who the opponent will be is out of their control. I'd prefer SJ over LA but the Blues have to be ready to play whichever one it ends up being. Just worry about getting the game back in order tonight though.

[EastonBlues22]

Halak looks good tonight, so that's something as well.

[Robb_K]

They couldn't score last night, at home, with a 108 seconds of 5 on 3. They've had several chances to score this game so far, but have not been able to take advantage of it. I really think in the tighter playoff play they'll have to win all theit games 1-0 and 2-1. That's a lot of pressure. They have tried recently to remedy that by having ALL the defencemen (even Jackman and Polak) pinching in and also driving on net. But that has backfired with Colaiacovo getting caught several times. Interesting that Jackman has been deep in the offensive zone MANY times in recent games, and that never has caused a problem. And, yet, the much more mobile Colaiacovo caused several goals and other good scoring chances by getting caught and not getting back in time, or getting back relatively quickly, but not reading the play correctly and going to the wrong place.

I suspect that all this pinching by Jackman and Colaiacovo (IF he plays) will be curtailed in the playoffs, and even Polak mightbe a lot more conservative, with only Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk and Russell driving in on net.

So, how will The Blues be able to score enough? Their tightening up their defence has led to a few breakouts and some chances. But they haven't been able to capitalise. The history of The Blues this season is that they need to get bushels of shots on goal to score their meagre 2.5 goals per game. That average was built up mainly when they were getting 30+ shots per game. Lately, they've gotten around 20 per game (which might be what happens in the tighter-played playoffs). How will they score much getting only 20 shots per game and not being able to convert very well?

Every game will need to be shutout or near shutout intensity, and hoping to jump on opponent errors and pop one in mainly on odd-man rushes.

[CarvinSigX]

Yeah, sorry for the confusion. New Jersey is the obvious favorite there, but division reasons give Florida home ice.

[Robb_K]

Great save by Halak!

[superblues]

Despite all the doom and gloom about the Blues of late, I'm really impressed with Halak's development since last season.