I agree with this. I suppose it's good news that the playoff experience of those puck movers (four total games, all Russell's) wasn't a factor. In fact, when the Blues went into the playoffs the last time Berglund had already hit the wall that season and was a nonexistent shadow against Vancouver. Tonight his line was great. Steen was impressive. McDonald was solid.
The Backes line did its job shutting down the Thornton line, and earned more offensive chances. Langenbrunner-Nichol-Reaves was good. Sobotka-Arnott-Stewart was poop.
I agree that the third line was by far our worst. It'll be interesting to see how Hitchcock shakes things up for the next game.
We outplayed the **** out of them. Don't get discouraged guys. A team has to lose the first game. Happened to Pittsburgh, Detroit, Vancouver, Washington, etc. All good teams.
The Blues were the better team tonight and I doubt things go San Jose's way like that all series. We played great, but they had the better goalie.
I loved our offensive speed and pressure...we had quite a few good chances. And why is everyone bashing Stewart? I thought he was fine. Nothing great, but certainly not bad...
Anyways, I loved the performance out of these guys:
Forwards:
- Berglund: The obvious one. What a game from him.
- Perron: He was all over the place, causing problems in front of the net.
- Oshie: He was also an animal, and his hits on Murray are awesome.
- McDonald: Such a dynamic presence with that speed.
Defensemen:
- Russell: That was by far the best game I have ever seen from him in his entire career. Holy **** he was good.
- Shattenkirk. 10 shots on goal, great play in the offensive zone.
- Jackman: One of the best games out of him too. He was actually...very good offensively tonight. WTF.
- Pietrangelo, another solid 2-way game from him tonight.
Polak was actually probably our worst d-man, but the unit overall was good.
There are still lots of positives from tonight. They played hard, so we just gotta take game 2 on Saturday! We can do it.
Good post.
Love hearing Blues's fan perspective. Here's some perspective from a Sharks fan.
-Every game will be a nail-biter. Every game is winnable for either team. Still anybody's series
-Blues dominated the checking (fore, back, whatever), yet they didn't have a forward that scared me.
-Contrary to pre-series analysis, Sharks bottom 6 matches up just fine with the Blues bottom 6.
-Time to give Niemi some credit, he's a great playoff goalie.
-Big win for the Sharks, almost positive the Blues will win the next game.
He did not have anything close to a terrific game, IMO.
He overhandled the puck in his own zone and his outlet passing, sometimes an underrated aspect of his game, was horrid.
I thought all 3 stay at home defenseman had rough nights while the 3 puck movers were excellent.
Judging by other Blues fans, it seems the consensus is that Jackman had a poor game. Maybe I'm just remembering his cool spin-o-rama at the blue line, I mean, when was the last time we saw Jackman do a spin-rama?
Am I the only one that doesn't feel comfortable with our #1 PP unit? It looked weak through the first PP, and I think the main reason is that all 5 players are righties. Perron, Oshie, Shatty, Petro, and Backes. We really only have one side for one timers which might make it a bit easier for the PK to defend. I would consider moving Steen to replace either Shatty/Petro. He has a good one-timer, and has experience playing the point. Our 2nd PP unit could have Arnott down low in front of the net, with Shatty and Russell playing the points. Obviously the other two players are Amac and Bergy.
I too am really upset about the outcome, its just a really heart breaking way to lose your 1st playoff game at home. And subsequently lose home ice advantage. Just flat out sucks
If the Blues dont win on Sat, its over. This feels like Mizzou getting bounced in the NCAA tourney all over. Im not ready to jump off a bridge yet, but they just need to find a way to score more.
I thought Perron was BAD, stupid penalties, tried to get cute. This is playoff hockey, not street hockey in front of your house. You make the strong play, get the puck to the net and fight for rebounds.
I have tried to keep my head up with Stewart, but he cost use that last goal. He just stood there and let the Sharts score. I have no words to defend him or his play anymore. Do you put Schwartz in or Dags? I dont know, but with the way this season has played out, he probably will not get any pressbox time.
The Blues had so much hype, and I had so much hope for these playoffs, but in typical Blues fashion, they crap the bed and shove a dagger in the hearts of fans. Honestly though, i thought they played well tonight, and we still lost. Thats what really bugs me about this team. We can play good for 55 min (or 90min tonight) and lose in the last few. I dont know why or how or what, but they need to figure it out real quick or we may be looking at another Vancouver type series.
I dont drink much, but Im thinking about pulling out my 18 yr old single malt tonight and having a few.
I want to have faith, I want to be upbeat, but everytime I get my hopes up, this team just craps on all over it, then steps on it, then lights it on fire and sends it to my wife in a body bag.
Your better than this Blues, but I may have to back away from obsession because its giving me an ulcer.
Also can someone go to the Scottrade and sacrifice a goat or something, this team just feels cursed.
My notes from the game:
Shattenkirk was great, he looked like a 5 year vet out there tonight, thats encouraging.
Petro was good, not great. I think playing with Husky forces him to change his game, and we need him to play at his best and not try and cover Huskys @ss
The Blues first line in general was just not good enough. Oshie played well, but Backes was invisible and Perron was, IMO, one of our worst players tonight.
Stewart FLAT OUT SUCKED. I cant defend him anymore. Ive gotten into sparring matches with people here trying to defend him, I just cant do it anymore. He needs to watch the next game from the box, but he hasnt been a healthy scratch all year, and I dont expect it to start on Sat.
I dont blame Halak for the lose, but I just dont feel comfortable with him in the net. I dont know what it is, its just a weird feeling I get. Elliott wont get the start on Sat, but if the Blues lose, they might as well give him a shot to see if the boys can rally around him.
Im depressed, now I have to write a 5000 word paper on a native tribe in Africa and homosexual tendencies of the tribes youth... FML.
Anyway, keep the faith, its just one game, the series isnt over. The Blues need to treat Sat as if their season will be over, because tonight they just were not good enough.
To me this game was simple. When the Blues pinched and were aggressive on the puck, the Sharks couldn't handle them. When they were passive, hesitant, and backed off they got torn up.
I thought tonight was a great hockey game. Sucks that the Blues lost. I thought the refs did a good job tonight. Nobody is perfect, but it didn't seem like they were trying to impose their will or missed a bunch of stuff or were using different standards for each team.
Just got home, huge disappointment. Can't even win at home.... well I guess I'm used to the Blues crapping the bed when they do make the playoffs, which is mostly never. I know there's more game to play but can't help that the Blues are about finished. I didn't see anything but reading here about Stewart man... I stood up for him as long as I could, longer than most, but not sure I can much longer if that's how he's gonna be. Ugh, what a huuuuuge disappoint. I'm with Mr. Dangles, my confidence in this team is shot. Doesn't matter how great they were, if they can't win, they're done.
You're losing confidence after one game where the team absolutely dominated most of the game, battled back, took the lead, and lasted through a whole period of OT against a goalie who was making some pretty nice saves?
The Blues played a great game tonight, they hit, they controlled the puck, they just lost on an unfortunate goal in OT.
If they can play like they did tonight other nights, and the D-men can get some better shots onto Neimi and force him to make more saves and give up more rebounds, i don't see why they can't win this series.
They didn't lose by 4 goals or anything...there's no reason to expect them to suddenly sink just because they lose one game at home in the playoffs.
Judging by other Blues fans, it seems the consensus is that Jackman had a poor game. Maybe I'm just remembering his cool spin-o-rama at the blue line, I mean, when was the last time we saw Jackman do a spin-rama?
Am I the only one that doesn't feel comfortable with our #1 PP unit? It looked weak through the first PP, and I think the main reason is that all 5 players are righties. Perron, Oshie, Shatty, Petro, and Backes. We really only have one side for one timers which might make it a bit easier for the PK to defend. I would consider moving Steen to replace either Shatty/Petro. He has a good one-timer, and has experience playing the point. Our 2nd PP unit could have Arnott down low in front of the net, with Shatty and Russell playing the points. Obviously the other two players are Amac and Bergy.
The spin-o-rama was more like a near turnover leading to a two-on-one against and he managed to just hang onto the puck as he spun away and suddenly had some space.
Steen to replace Shattenkirk or Pietrangelo is a bad idea, because Shattenkirk and Pietrangelo look great in that spot, and because Steen looks poor in that spot.
The Blues had so much hype, and I had so much hope for these playoffs, but in typical Blues fashion, they crap the bed and shove a dagger in the hearts of fans. Honestly though, i thought they played well tonight, and we still lost. Thats what really bugs me about this team. We can play good for 55 min (or 90min tonight) and lose in the last few. I dont know why or how or what, but they need to figure it out real quick or we may be looking at another Vancouver type series.
I dont drink much, but Im thinking about pulling out my 18 yr old single malt tonight and having a few.
I want to have faith, I want to be upbeat, but everytime I get my hopes up, this team just craps on all over it, then steps on it, then lights it on fire and sends it to my wife in a body bag.
Your better than this Blues, but I may have to back away from obsession because its giving me an ulcer.
These sentences are 100% EXACTLY how I feel. Esp about wanting to remain positive, but everytime you get your hopes up, the Blues crap all over it.
You're losing confidence after one game where the team absolutely dominated most of the game, battled back, took the lead, and lasted through a whole period of OT against a goalie who was making some pretty nice saves?
The Blues played a great game tonight, they hit, they controlled the puck, they just lost on an unfortunate goal in OT.
If they can play like they did tonight other nights, and the D-men can get some better shots onto Neimi and force him to make more saves and give up more rebounds, i don't see why they can't win this series.
They didn't lose by 4 goals or anything...there's no reason to expect them to suddenly sink just because they lose one game at home in the playoffs.
True, but I guess I get used to it.
But I know what you mean, sure they didn't lose by 4 goals. But my point is, they could lose by 1 barely, or by 10 - when the series is over, it doesn't matter how much they lost by - it matters that they lost, if they don't make it to round 2, KWIM?
Yeah, no big deal on the loss. Would have been good to get the win, but in 2OT, what can you do? We looked a bit off in the first, but really came out flying when we got that PP and just continued from there.
As long as we come out in game two and get the win, it's okay. I'm so nervous. My god.
The issue with Niemi is that he's inconsistent. Sometimes he's good, but there's a reason he won the Cup and went months unsigned immediately after. Tonight, he was great, made a couple of key saves, particularly on Pietrangelo that time he was down low on the PP.
I don't agree with Meatwagon that Backes was invisible. He shut down Thornton and actually created some offense. Remember when he blocked a shot at one end and led an odd man rush the other way? That's Backes' game. Perron-Backes-Oshie definitely created more scoring chances than Marleau-Thornton-Pavelski. Perron had some weaker moments but also some quite strong moments. I really thought he might end it there on that one shift in the first OT. He seems to be one of the few guys able to more or less consistently get a shot from the slot, where you want it.
What makes the result more furustrating is the Blues pretty much executed their game plan. Backes line vs. Thornton line was edge Blues, and Berglund line vs. Couture line was edge Blues. On each of Havlat's goals there was a pick. Pietrangelo was back a fraction late when he got picked and the puck barely beat him to the spot on Havlat's tip, Sobotka was picked on a play that in regulation gets called as interference on the OT winner. For the most part the game came down to the Sharks' bottom 6 and Roman Polak let Tommy Wingels beat him. If that's going to happen then the Sharks are going to get what they need. If the Blues can hold down the Tommy Wingelses of the world they're going to win that game 2-1 in regulation.
I don't see the point in losing confidence in this team because of tonight's game. Had they won, I think a lot of fans' confidence would be boosted. They lost in double OT in a game they played well in. The next game is really important, and I think the Blues will correct a few things and hopefully come ready to play on Saturday.
I thought Russell had a great game. I think that trade has really paid off for the Blues. Backes had a ton of responsibility defensively and did well, but he looked out of sync sometimes offensively. A lot of his passes weren't good at all.
They had so many chances in the first OT and couldn't get the winner. It's disappointing, and they have to take advantage of those opportunities.
I do agree that the next game is key - if they win, I'll definitely feel better about it and regain some confidence. If not... well, I don't see it going favorably for them.
Just got home from the game and the only thing I gotta say is we should have won. We dominated and if we play like that every game the rest of the series we will take round 1.
Also, I am going to need somebody else to do the GDT for game 2. Found out earlier today that I am going to have to work saturday morning and I am not going to have time to prebuild one tommorow.
Just got back from the game. Man, that was so emotionally draining. Such a disappointing ending. Haven't read through most of the thread and I'm sure most of it's been said, so just a couple of basic things that stood out to me from the stands:
-I know it's cliche, but you could feel the Sharks' tying goal coming. San Jose immediately turned up their forecheck after Berglund's 2nd and the Blues just didn't match it with their own response. Disorganized and running around a lot in their own zone it seemed for the five or six minutes before SJ tied it.
-Jackman was an absolute train wreck during regulation. Usually I'm rolling my eyes when people around me are screaming for his head all game, but tonight it was 100% warranted. He was hesitating on 50/50 pucks and even some that he clearly could've reached first and made 2 or 3 horrible unforced turnovers that the Sharks didn't capitalize on. He was falling down during board battles and not showing any urgency to get up, like he expected a call or somebody else to take care of the puck. Thankfully he was better in the OT periods, settled down under pressure and actually made some nice transition passes. But if he generally keeps playing like he did tonight for the rest of the series he's absolutely going to cost us.
-The Blues were the better team for the majority of the game. They completely dominated the first overtime but they just weren't translating all that puck possession and pressure into many quality scoring chances.
If both teams play like they did tonight for the rest of the series, the Blues are coming out on top. But I'm not banking on the Sharks continuing to be as meek and discoordinated as they were tonight and definitely not in their own building. I still like our chances in this series but Game 2 is a must-win.
The issue with Niemi is that he's inconsistent. Sometimes he's good, but there's a reason he won the Cup and went months unsigned immediately after. Tonight, he was great, made a couple of key saves, particularly on Pietrangelo that time he was down low on the PP.
I don't agree with Meatwagon that Backes was invisible. He shut down Thornton and actually created some offense. Remember when he blocked a shot at one end and led an odd man rush the other way? That's Backes' game. Perron-Backes-Oshie definitely created more scoring chances than Marleau-Thornton-Pavelski. Perron had some weaker moments but also some quite strong moments. I really thought he might end it there on that one shift in the first OT. He seems to be one of the few guys able to more or less consistently get a shot from the slot, where you want it.
What makes the result more furustrating is the Blues pretty much executed their game plan. Backes line vs. Thornton line was edge Blues, and Berglund line vs. Couture line was edge Blues. On each of Havlat's goals there was a pick. Pietrangelo was back a fraction late when he got picked and the puck barely beat him to the spot on Havlat's tip, Sobotka was picked on a play that in regulation gets called as interference on the OT winner. For the most part the game came down to the Sharks' bottom 6 and Roman Polak let Tommy Wingels beat him. If that's going to happen then the Sharks are going to get what they need. If the Blues can hold down the Tommy Wingelses of the world they're going to win that game 2-1 in regulation.
No, your right. Backes did what he was supposed to and kept the Thorton line off the board, and Im not giving him enough credit for that. I was just looking for more scoring chances from our #1 line tonight, and I was just disappointed. I think that Perron was a detriment to that line tonight, although Backes had some really bad passes tonight, too. Maybe I m just expecting to much from our #1 line.
Its one game, they will have a bigger impact on the scoreboard as this series chugs along. They didnt create as much as I thought they would, and thats a bummer
Oh geez the universe is rubbing it in. We just moved, and we have a few boxes of DVDs, about 300 DVDs. So I went to unpack the first box and what 3 movies out of freakin' 300 are right there on top? Pulp Fiction, Family Guy's Star Wars parody "It's a Trap!" and Inglorious ********.
I do have a feeling Stewart's sitting next game. He was demoted to fourth line minutes in the game. Reaves may be injured, as he only had 8 minutes and was playing fine when he was in there. Langenbrunner had a mere 14:15.
Bummer of a loss. But this is why Hitchcock is here, to get the team ready to play for Saturday. An immature team is going to panic a little. It will be very interesting to see how much the Blues grow up this series.
I do have a feeling Stewart's sitting next game. He was demoted to fourth line minutes in the game. Reaves may be injured, as he only had 8 minutes and was playing fine when he was in there. Langenbrunner had a mere 14:15.
In terms of ESTOI you can move him up above Nichol and Arnott as well, as they both had a couple minutes of special teams play.
Hitchcock was surprisingly top-heavy with his TOI tonight. We need to find a 3rd line that can do the job, or we're sacrificing one of the bigger advantages that we have in the series.
Just got back from the game. Man, that was so emotionally draining. Such a disappointing ending. Haven't read through most of the thread and I'm sure most of it's been said, so just a couple of basic things that stood out to me from the stands:
-I know it's cliche, but you could feel the Sharks' tying goal coming. San Jose immediately turned up their forecheck after Berglund's 2nd and the Blues just didn't match it with their own response. Disorganized and running around a lot in their own zone it seemed for the five or six minutes before SJ tied it.
-Jackman was an absolute train wreck during regulation. Usually I'm rolling my eyes when people around me are screaming for his head all game, but tonight it was 100% warranted. He was hesitating on 50/50 pucks and even some that he clearly could've reached first and made 2 or 3 horrible unforced turnovers that the Sharks didn't capitalize on. He was falling down during board battles and not showing any urgency to get up, like he expected a call or somebody else to take care of the puck. Thankfully he was better in the OT periods, settled down under pressure and actually made some nice transition passes. But if he generally keeps playing like he did tonight for the rest of the series he's absolutely going to cost us.
-The Blues were the better team for the majority of the game. They completely dominated the first overtime but they just weren't translating all that puck possession and pressure into many quality scoring chances.
If both teams play like they did tonight for the rest of the series, the Blues are coming out on top. But I'm not banking on the Sharks continuing to be as meek and discoordinated as they were tonight and definitely not in their own building. I still like our chances in this series but Game 2 is a must-win.
Jackman was horrendous tonight. Watching it on TV I saw exactly what you described. He had a mostly stellar season but has been iffy for a couple weeks to close things out and tonight he was a major concern.
More and more I've been thinking: Why not take a run at a big contract for the top LD spot, let go of 6M in Jackman and Colaiacovo, put Cole into the Shattenkirk pair, use the 4.7M savings toward the new guy.
