Okay, so it needed a shootout to get the extra point but this means that the Blues have won 3 of their last 4 games. Some more good points:
The Blues scored a goal on the powerplay – snapping a 0-19 streak.
David Backes finally broke through – registering a goal and an assist.
TJ Oshie also registered a goal and an assist.
Cam Janssen faced off with Krys Barch in the first few minutes of the game.
Eric Brewer -normally such a mild mannered guy on ice – took exception to Steve Ott (and really…who wouldn’t?) late in the second period and the two fought/wrestled until the refs stepped in.
It wasn’t perfect – but it was a win. Both teams had over 30 shots on goal – the Blues with 38 and Dallas with 37. Ty Conklin made some excellent saves and came good in the shootout to give the Blues their first shootout win of the season. So, here are some game reports for you:
The Blues Official Site has highlights from the game, postgame interviews and it’s own game recap.
The Blues captain, Eric Brewer, receives more than his fair share of brickbats…so it’s about time he got a bouquet for doing what a Captain should and standing up strong against players like Steve Ott:
Lots of questions ahead of tonight’s game against the Stars. One of the main ones being can the Blues awful Powerplay finally start putting the puck in the net? The Blues practice this morning concentrated heavily on the powerplay – let’s see if it starts producing. A change of personnel – or maybe reverting back to the “umbrella” formation that worked last year – whatever they do, SOMETHING needs to happen to break the Blues forwards out of this slump. We have good players – there’s no question about that – so maybe it’s simply a matter of time. Given time, quality players like Paul Kariya, will start scoring. It’s just a question of when – and with the season already 25% over (and the Blues currently last in the Central Division – 6 points behind the fourth placed Red Wings) – there’s not a lot of time left. It’s all very well proposing a trade…but who is out there who can help? Who would be worth chasing at this point? And more importantly…who would we give up?
Anyway – tonight’s game. It’s going to be physical. There is no doubt about that – especially considering the Steve Ott factor from the last Blues/Stars game. As such, the Blues are sitting out Patrik Berglund tonight and replacing him with Brad Winchester. Let’s hope Winchester plays mean. The rest of the lineup remains the same – with Ty Conklin getting the start in goal tonight.
Oh dear, oh dear. Once again, the Blues found it impossible to put in an effort for 60 minutes. 20 minutes seems to be what the Blues do now. The first period was good. The second period was bad. The third period was sloppy and slow. So, what do they need to put a rocket up them? In the Central Division, the Blues are last. 6 points behind the fourth placed team, Detroit. However, three of our next four games are against division opponents – namely, Nashville, Detroit and Columbus. Should the Blues stand pat – and see where we are after these games? We’re carrying 8 defensemen – with Junland, Strachan and Bell currently in Peoria. All very well to think of trading one or more…but who is available out there to help the Blues anaemic powerplay? Or even to simply put the puck in the net? It seems the Blues have lots of playmakers and no finishers at the moment.
Jeremy Rutherford explains how the special teams are letting the Blues down.
The next few weeks are going to be very interesting for Blues fans. Will the Blues be patient – and wait for players like Paul Kariya (no goals in 14 games) to solve their issues and start scoring? Or will they dip into the trade market? A number of supposedly good teams are having trouble - the Ducks and Hurricanes to name two – so it could very well be the case that a change of scenery for a player or two could do some good.
We all know what happened last season in the Blues game against the Bruins. The Blues won in a shootout after tying the game in the last second. The Blues then went on that amazing run in the second half of the season that culminated in a playoff appearance. The Blues are coming off back to back wins – with Patrik Berglund, Paul Kariya and BJ Crombeen breaking out of no point streaks. Is this the start of good things for the Blues? Let’s hope so. Tonight’s lineup is the same as the one that beat the Islanders 4-1 on Saturday:
David Perron-Andy McDonald-Brad Boyes
Paul Kariya-David Backes-T.J. Oshie
Patrik Berglund-Jay McClement-B.J. Crombeen
Alex Steen-Keith Tkachuk-Cam Janssen
Barret Jackman-Roman Polak
Carlo Colaiacovo-Erik Johnson
Eric Brewer-Mike Weaver
Chris Mason
Once again, Darryl Sydor, Brad Winchester and Alex Pietrangelo are healthy scratches.
David Perron’s second goal was the highlight of the game
When the Blues bust out, they bust out. Patrik Berglund scored for the first time in 13 games, Paul Kariya got his first point in 11 games and BJ Crombeen got his first point in 9 games. Add to that two goals by David Perron and a rocket of a goal by Eric Brewer and you start to get a sense that the Blues offense might just be breaking out. The Blues powerplay, however, is still anaemic – going 0-4 tonight.
The first period saw two powerplays for the Blues and, although they created chances, they couldn’t seem to find that final shot. Then, just after the first Blues powerplay expired, the Islanders took the lead with a wrist shot from Josh Bailey. Less than 3 minutes later, the Blues tied the game. Tkachuk won a face off in the Islanders zone and Kariya laid the puck back to Brewer. With Tkachuk and Kariya at the net, Brewer scored with a slap shot from the left point.
The second period was the Blues worst section of play – mustering only four shots on goal but they managed to take the lead. Berglund picked up the puck at centre ice and with Crombeen skating ahead to screen the goalie, Berglund scored his first goal for 13 games to put the Blues ahead.
The third period was when the Perron-McDonald-Boyes line let loose – after being challenged by Andy Murray for their ineffectiveness. Perron scored his first of the game after knocking in the rebound from a Barrat Jackman shot. Then, with less than 5 minutes left in the game, David Perron scored a goal that will be played on highlight reels for years to come. Picking up the puck after Colaiacovo cleared it along the glass, Perron headed into the Islanders zone on a breakaway. With Mark Streit to beat, Perron deftly played the puck through his own legs and deked Roloson, beating him with a forehand into the net. Check it out for yourselves:
Game reports:
Jeremy Rutherford reports on the game with comments from David Perron.
The Blues Official Site has the game recap, boxscore and, of course, the game highlights. Check these out for a couple of superb saves from Mason, together with all the goals.
Next up: Blues play the Bruins at home at the Scottrade Centre on Monday 23 November 2009.
Alex Steen returns to the Blues lineup tonight after breaking his wrist on October 15 in Phoenix. Steen will play tonight on a line with Keith Tkachuk and Cam Janssen. Mike Weaver also returns to the lineup which means the healthy scratches tonight are Darryl Sydor, Alex Pietrangelo and Brad Winchester. Lineup is therefore expected to be:
David Perron-Andy McDonald-Brad Boyes
Paul Kariya-T.J. Oshie-David Backes
Patrik Berglund-Jay McClement-B.J. Crombeen
Alex Steen-Keith Tkachuk-Cam Janssen
Barret Jackman-Roman Polak
Carlo Colaiacovo-Erik Johnson
Eric Brewer-Mike Weaver
It’s unknown at the moment who will get the start in goal but it’s expected to be Chris Mason. In the previous game, the Kariya-Oshie-Backes line was by far the strongest with Oshie getting the tying goal. Let’s hope they can continue this form – along with the rest of the team. It’s about time the Blues won 2 games in row.
Finally, something went right for the Blues. This was a good game – end to end stuff with Chris Mason having one of his best games as a Blue and Erik Johnson showing just what he’s capable of.
Andy Murray took a bit of a chance with sitting out Weaver and Sydor – two steady, stay at home defensemen – and playing Pietrangelo and Colaiacovo – two of the more offense minded defenders. This did lead to the odd defensive lapse and turnovers – especially in the third period but Chris Mason stood up tall and had their backs.
The Blues trailed after 3.22 of the first period when Keith Tkachuk lost the puck and Vrbata deflected in a shot from Heshka. Three minutes later however, Tkachuk made up for his mistake when he drove hard to the net and the puck went in off his skate to tie the game. Mason, again, came up with a couple of big saves in this period to keep the Blues level at the interval.
The first few minutes of a period seem to be a problem for the Blues as Fiddler put the Coyotes ahead less that two minutes into the second period. Andy McDonald let Fiddler get the better of him and he scored from close range. The Blues had their chances – Bryzgalov was having a good game denying both Kariya and Backes during this period. David Perron hit the post on a rebound during one of the Blues powerplays but they went in trailing 2-1.
Early in the third period, the Coyotes had a three on two but once again were denied by Chris Mason. This instantly led to a three on two for the Blues but Kariya’s shot was saved by Bryzgalov. Minutes later, Oshie gloved the puck out of the air, dropped it, went to the forehand and then slid a backhander past Bryzgalov to draw the Blues level. Superb goal by TJ Oshie who had a good game – definitely showing signs of last year’s form.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Blues in the third period. Colaiacovo slid a dangerous pass to Pietrangelo which was intercepted leading to a Coyotes breakaway. Mason saved Hanzal’s shot and ended up pushed into his own net. Then came Mason’s highlight reel save. A shot from the blueline from Aucoin was blocked by Mason, who then flung himself to his right to block the rebound from Prucha. The Scottrade crowd were on their feet applauding Mason – and deservedly so.
With the game tied at 2-2, the Blues and Coyotes went to overtime again. Except it didn’t last long. 17 seconds actually. Erik Johnson got the puck in his own zone and skated the length of the ice, supported by Paul Kariya. Kariya headed left, splitting the attention of the defense and Johnson moved to the centre and ripped a shot past Bryzgalov to give the Blues the win. It was a long time coming – but it was well worth it. The Perron-McDonald-Boyes line had an off-night but the line of Kariya-Backes-Oshie definitely made up for it. So, here are your reports and highlights:
Jeremy Rutherford sums it up with comments from Erik Johnson, TJ Oshie, David Backes and Andy Murray. Murray says the guys need to enjoy the win because they’ve had a tough time. Agreed.
The Blues Official Site has it’s recap together with various interviews – check out the Game Highlights for Mason’s highlight save and Erik Johnson’s superb game winning goal.
So, the last words should go to Erik Johnson – interviewed after the game:
Mike Weaver and Darryl Sydor will be healthy scratches tonight – which means that Alex Pietrangelo gets his ninth game. This is now decision time for the Blues – so expect to hear something very shortly. Expectations are that Pietrangelo stays with the Blues. Tonight’s lines are:
David Perron-Andy McDonald-Brad Boyes
Paul Kariya-T.J. Oshie-David Backes
Patrik Berglund-Jay McClement-B.J. Crombeen
Brad Winchester-Keith Tkachuk-Cam Janssen
Barret Jackman-Roman Polak
Carlo Colaiacovo-Erik Johnson
Eric Brewer-Alex Pietrangelo
Chris Mason
Paul Kariya is back on a line with Oshie and Backes – he’s worked very hard whilst on the “stopper” line and let’s hope it pays off. Patrik Berglund takes Kariya’s place on the stopper line – and it looks like this is the way to try and get him to relax a bit. The pressure of being part of the top six is off – and he’ll be matched up against the oppositions top line. This should give Berglund a bit more space up front – let’s see if he can take advantage.
Jeremy Rutherford’s Morning Skate has an interview with Patrik Berglund – with comments from Andy Murray. Berglund says he’s currently playing “too safe” and it’s something he needs to sort out in his own head. For Thursday’s Phoenix game, Berglund will be on a line with Jay McClement and B J Crombeen – well, the same tactic worked for David Perron and Paul Kariya.
Keep an eye on the Blues defensemen. The Blues currently have eight healthy defenders and yet still have Strachan, Junland and Bell in Peoria. Not forgetting they will soon decide whether to keep Pietrangelo or send him back to juniors. It looks like the Blues face the perennial “trade or wait” question – and if other teams get desperate enough…the Blues could take advantage.
Tomorrow’s game against Phoenix is another important one – the Blues need to get their powerplay working. It’s all on the offense at the moment – the forwards need to start scoring. David Backes should be okay to play after the hit he took in the San Jose game.
David Backes left the game with an “upper body injury” and did not return
Well, you certainly couldn’t question the effort last night. The Blues outplayed the Sharks. The one thing that COULD be questioned was, once again, the lack of goals. The Blues outshot the Sharks by 39 to 16 and yet still found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline.
It all started so well. The Blues had powerplays, lots of shots and you knew it was only a matter of time. Cam Janssen then took exception to Staubitz’s hit on Erik Johnson and the pair dropped the gloves. Janssen won the fight quite easily, cutting Staubitz before both players skated off for 5 minute fighting majors:
The crowd were energised and the Blues finally gave them something to cheer about when Jay McClement scored after Brad Winchester’s shot had gone wide.
In the second period, the Blues penalty kill finally succumbed and Dany Heatley levelled the game after being left virtually unattended in front of net. From the resulting faceoff, Erik Johnson tried to clear from behind the net and, instead, sent the puck directly to Manny Malhotra. His shot was saved but the rebound was knocked in by Ortmeyer. David Backes got tangled up with TJ Oshie in the second period and left the game. On the replay, it looked like Backes was hit by Oshie’s elbow. The Blues have said Backes is suffering from an “upper body injury”.
The Sharks added an empty net goal late in the third period to seal the game after the Blues had inexplicably taken a too many men on ice penalty with slightly less than two minutes of the game left. In essence, the Blues played a lot better. But the forwards still are not getting the puck in the net. Yes, Kariya hit the post…yes, Nabokov made some good saves…but the forwards should be getting this done.
Anyway, here are your game reports:
Foxsports agree that the Sharks were “decidedly outplayed”.
Jeremy Rutherford sums up the game with comments from Erik Johnson, Barrat Jackman and Andy Murray.
St Louis Game Time – Game Day Thread – this is always worth reading. Fans reactions AS the game takes place. And if you like it, join in on the next one.
What’s the answer? Keep going and hope they get out of their slump? Or is it time for the Blues to start thinking about trades?
British, female and a Blues fan - there aren't many of us over here the UK but hopefully we can change that. I'm heading over to the US in January to go the Blues games against the Ducks and Kings on the West Coast - so if you see me there, please say hello!
Posted by drfrankentweed 
Posted by drfrankentweed 
Posted by drfrankentweed 
