GameBlog 02-09-10: Blues vs Red Wings
Work, work, and more work = inability to get to my pregame thoughts.
Here is what I saw from my vantage point in Sec 318.
- The Blues are improving in their ability to stake with better teams. The quick decision making is improving, but not where it needs to be.
- Took the Blues 25 shots on goal, to get a goal. There were 32 total shots in the first. Pretty good work between Mason and Howard. I thought Mason rebounded well from a terrible game in Colorado Monday. Mason stopped 39 of 42 and Howard stopped 42 of 45. They combined to sto p81 of 87 total shots on goal.
- I really like teh way Oshie and Johnson are playing right now. Their attention to detail and work ethic are on teh rise. Last night Johnson made multiple lugs, pinches, and dangle plays. At times he still forgot to move the puck once he created space.
- The Kariya-Backes-Oshie line has really solidified itself as the Blues top line. Solid work in both ends, point production. Kudos to Kariya who netted his first home goal last night. Backes has 21+ minutes on the ice, 2 Assists, and 6 Hits. Kaiya had 2 Goals on 7 Shots and a Takwaway. Oshie had his standard tireless effort in all three zones, he also had 3 Hits and a Blocked Shot.
- The Blues power play concerns me still. Mainly due to the indecisiveness of the 3 or 4 players not in on the net creating traffic. The Blues umbrella is pretty passsive. I believe they had fewer blocks out high last night, but in general struggled to get shots off and through. The Blues need someone to step it up on the point and take control. Will that be Johnson? Oshie? Steen? SOmeone needs to direct the play and get shots through. At times the Bules were still outworked on entry in to the zone.
- The Blues won 37 of 70 face-offs, but at the game it didn’t feel that way at the game.
- The Blues blocked 19 shots, it felt like more.
- Kudos to Colaiacovo for not making multiple plays that lead to goals for the other team. The one assist is nice, but how effective was he?
- Brewer and Johnson pairing better than their combined Minus-3? I think so. Combined for 6 Shots, 3 Blocks, and 3 Takeaways (and no Giveaways).
- On the officiating watch…some less than questionable calls were made, but in general the refs were calling just about every obvious hook, hold, and interference.
- Wings Fans > Hawks Fans – They were much easier to deal with, too the little jibs better, and didn’t spout drunken obscenities all game.
Next up is Toronto Friday night with two days of rest. Big points in that game for the Blues because on Saturday teh Caps are in town to end the pre Olympic section of the season.
