GameBlog 03-06-10: Blues vs Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
vs.
St. Louis Blues
Pregame
Since the Olympics ended the Blues are 2-0-0 following decisive wins in Phoenix and Dallas. In both games, the starting netminder for the opposition was chased. Tonight’s task against the Colorado Avalanche will be much more difficult. If the Blues want a chance to split the season series (they are 0-2 so far) and gain ground on the 8th spot in the West, the post Olympic trends need to continue.
- Quick puck movement.
- Responsible defensive play by all five on the ice.
- Speed through the neutral zone (I’m watching your David Perron).
- Three lines producing goals.
- Chris Mason plays like its March 2009 all over again.
Colorado is no push over team. They are no “Cinderella” anymore either. While they did surprise most of the NHL nation by not being in the bottom three, they have maintained that high level of play all season. After the Olympics they have been presented with a challenge. Their #1 center was the #1 center for Team USA and is likely a little tired following his Silver Medal performance. They have made multiple deals at the deadline, altering their team chemistry. Since the Olympic break they are 1-2-0, giving up 3 goals in and at least two power play goals in each game. The Avs are at a cross roads. They can either gain their winning ways back as they open a three game home stand with the Blues or slip down as teams like Nashville and Detroit move up. After these three games Colorado has six of their next nine on the road. Colorado needs a big game.
The Blues need to prepare for that big game and early jump from the Avs. The Avs have beaten the Blues twice and will use that to build confidence and momentum.
The Blues need the prototypical road game. Tight checking, high energy, smart decisions and timely goaltending. One key will be getting pucks on net. In each of the Avs last three games they have yielded at least 30 shots on goal against Craig Anderson. Anderson has been good, but he has seen a lot of rubber and let in more goals than usual. The Blues recent finishing ability needs to continue.
The play of the Steen-McClement-Boyes line needs to continue as well. Boyes has two goals in the last two games. Steen and McClement each have one. Timely secondary scoring will be huge of Colorado and shut down either the Backes or Berglund line.
John Kelly FYI’d on Twitter today that Milan Hejduk will be back tonight. Big boost to their offensive punch coming back. Hejduk, Stewart, and Mueller down the right side…not too shabby.
I haven’t heard about who is in net for the Blues yet, my guess would be Mason. I would also think that Davis Payne doesn’t alter the lines and pairings. We shall see. I will be out this afternoon, so if I catch any updates I will get them posted as soon as possible.
UPDATE @ 630pm:
Dan O’Neill has the Morning Skate blog up for StlToday today.
Line-Up FYIs:
King and Sydor Scratches.
Janssen Suspension (out)
Winchester back in (my guess is w/ Crombeen and D’Agostini).
O’Neill also talks about Alex Pietrangelo being named the #1 rookie to watch for 2010 by The Hockey News. Sorry Dan, that’s old news. We got the story here before today. 
First Period
It was a rough first 90 seconds, but the game started flowing after that.
The Blues did a good job matching the Avs physical presence and pace.
Barret Jackman had a couple of mental gaffes. NOt sure why he felt the need to cross over in front of Polak.
Blue shad good possession and chances on the power play, just no conversion.
Brewer got a shot through and Perron tips it home. Avs quick strike back and make it 2-1 at the end of the period.
Mental breakdowns defensively have left Mason out to dry on both goals. EJ has been good save the blunder with him and Brewer behind the net leading to Stewart’s goal. Who, by the way, is killing the Blues with 4 goals and 3 assists in 2 games and 1 period against the Blues this season.
Second Period
The Avs sure have Chris Mason’s # this season. After the Blues chase teh starter in two straight, Mason is chased in the second.
As much as the first two were on the 5 skaters on the ice in front of Mason, the next two were on him.
Chris Stewart…though the second he now has 6 goals and 4 assists in the three games against the Blues this season.
The Avs have just capitalized on their chances where the Avs have really locked down the Blues second chances. Between Anderson’s rebound control and the Avs blocking out, the Blues aren’t generating much after the initial shot.
Every time the Blues crawl back, the Avs stomp on their hands, not much longer before the fall.
Where was the response to the Ryan Wilson hit? He’s creamed Oshie already and now D’Agostini. Was the only “tit for tat” Backes on Hejduk at the end of the second?
Speaking of Backes, where has that line been tonight? The 4th line has created more than the Backes line has. Not that impressed with all three dfensive pairings. No impact from Colaiacovo. Weaver is Weaver. Some mental mistakes by Johnson, Brewer, and Jackman have lead to goals. Polak is Polak.
Two out of three ain’t bad?
Final Thoughts
In big games, your best players need to step up. Colorado had theris, but the Blues best did not.
Where was the Backes line? Did The 6 defensemen decide to just half ass it? Did Chris Mason need to sit in favor of Ty Conklin? Should Payne have played the historical stats for once? Lots of questions, but not so many answers.
This game had a 1st half of 09-10 feel to it. Wishy-washy goaltending, lots of shots and many low % in tight chances that Colorado boxed out. The Blues had matched pace and play, but were run down by the blitzkrieg like counter attack of the Avs. David Backes said it very well in teh post game interviews. We (Blues) didn’t play our game and didn’t have guys winning battles. When we lost battles they transitioned back up ice (paraphrasing). What the Avs did to the Blues is what they did to the Coyotes and Stars. Pressured them at every turn and took their game away. The Blues stood and watched a period (like Backes said) and it cost them the game.
Blues fans should give credit to the Avs. They are no push over team. They have high end talent with Stastny and Hejduk supported by a solid supporting cast that is well coached. They can attack and score with the best of teams. The Blues had no answer tonight. The right answer would be better goaltending and smarter play from first to last whistle. That just didn’t happen tonight. Anderson out performed Mason, big time.
The Blues need to look at this game as a reminder of what can go wrong when you don’t work hard enough from player 1 to player 20.In the first three games of this trip, the Blue shave 2/3 of the possible points, 4 out of 6. In a maintenance scenario where you are already in the post season, that’s fine. When you need to climb and will spend Sunday through Wednesday off, you need 5 of 6 or 6 of 6. Perhaps that is unrealistic, but its what would have to happen.
If there are any bright spots for the Blues it would be the play of the Berglund and McClement lines. Those 6 players combined for 3 goals and 6 points in the game. Steen continues to take his game to another level as does Berglund. D’Agostini played another solid game on limited ice time.
Winchester started hot and finished bland. A growing trend that is very troublesome as the Blues need Brad to create needed energy and enthusiasm.
I know that Backes and Johnson are tired and want to go home, but the Olympics are not a valid excuse when they played as well as they did in the two games prior.
The Blues now have 4 full days off before their next game on Thursday against the Islanders in New York. The reset button was pushed and the third period began the process. Now comes the time for the players to recharge and right their ship again. Blues fans were flying high after two good games, now comes a dose of reality. The Blues are close, but have a very difficult task. The games aren’t that easy adn teh team as a whole needs to remember that.
