GameBlog 4-1-10: Blues vs. Predators
Recap
Up and down…
Hot and cold…
Young and still inexperienced…
The Blues started the game hot. Running a two goal lead and holding Nashville shotless for extended stretches. The effort eventually ran cold as the Preds ran three straight goals on the Blues. The Trotz and company resiliancy comes out as Nashville picked their spots to swarm and attack. This style doesn’t lead to constant scoring chances possession after possesion, but it leads to several chances in a short period of time. The Blues really seem to struggle against those short burst, quick strike team (like Colorado).
The Blues on the other hand were a one and done team for the second half of the game. For as much as they out worked the Preds, the Preds outworked them to deny second chances after coming down the wings with speed. The team as a whole struggled to take the puck in to scoring areas till the last minute push.
If you look to one theme to describe the game it would be oppertunity last night. Each team had chances but only one team made those chanced count.
The three glaring failures for the Blues came on the power play. Twice in an effort to take back a two goal lead and once in the third to tie the game. The power play gave the Blues the lead to start off the game but failed to make an impact later on. Perhaps the biggest difference from last season to this season is the lack of timely goals.
Blues fans should also give due credit to Pekka Rinne. He really is one of the most underrated Goalies in the NHL. He absorbs the puck very well, reducing second chances. Combine his play with the Preds ability to box you out if the middle and you’ve got a low scoring team that can win many games.
Nashville seems to have no issues scoring a timely goal. After the lucky break on the Dustin Boyd goal the Preds ramped up the pace. Another late period goal againt to close out the secojd period and a finish on a broken breakaway put the Blues down 3-2.
Just like Chris Stewart in Colorado, the Blues seem to have no answer in containing Patrik Hornqvist. Already a 30 goal scorer, he added three asists and three drawn penalties to the scoresheet. A big body budding power forward whi is not afraid to gobyo the dirty places of the ice. The guy reminds me of Holmstrom or Franzen in Detroit. Under your skin and on top of your Goalie.
Patrik Berglund and Brad Boyes were called out before the game. The Blues simply needed a better effort from both players. Did they give a better effort? Not really. Yes, Berglund had two assists, but was not that involved inthe game. Partik really had issues controlling the puck and being in the play vs. just being around the play. Boyes was once again weak on the puck and generally ineffective in the offensive zone.
KMOX sports personality Tom Ackerman Tweeted Friday morning that Chris Mason said that some players were trying and some weren’t. Sounds like Backes the other day. If you can’t dig deep and find the effort now…will the player ever?
The Blues are off till their Saturday night showdown vs. Dallas.
Pre-Game
There may be 11 points separating the Blues and Predators, but the importance of the game is not lost. The Blues are clinging on to the narrowest of hopes that they can catch the 8th spot in the West. A tall task with six games remaining and Colorado six points ahead (and Calgary four points ahead as well). Nashville is trying to hold on to the 5th seed as a surging Detriot team is now just one point behind them.
About ten days ago the Blues had a chance to take down Nashville at home when the stakes were just as high. The eventual 3rd period collapse carried over to a loss the next night on Detroit. While the Blues slipped, Nahville moved on. Moved on to the tune of 2-2-1 and 5th in the standings.
Nashville wants to keep up the pace to crack 100 points and stay ahead of the Red Wings (who are one point back of Nashville). St. Louis wants to keep the pressure on Calgary and Colorado. Who gets their wish? The team with the best 3rd period.
Coming off a tough rivalry game at home and seeking revenge, the Blues should have good energy early. That won’t matter if they can’t sustain offensive pressure with a lead. It won’t matter if they can’t make the offensive end harder to control on the Preds. How do they resolve that? If you get an answer travel back in time to October and tell Andy Murray.
The Kings dropped the Pres 2-0 Tuesday in a pretty lame offensive effort by the Preds. Will that offensive short coming carry over? Probably, but you can’t forget that Barry Trotz is behind the home bench. Barry and his crew are always prepared to fight fir 60+ minutes. If there is one constant for that franchise it is offensive ineptness being overcome by physical conditioning and mental toughness.
Paul Kariya did not make the trip to Nashville and stated back for evaluation following a lower body injury sustained on the game Tuesday. As repoted on Twitter by the likes of JR, Andy, and Lou Korac, Alex Steen will remain on the Blues top line with David Backes and TJ Oshie. With the McDonald-Berglund-Perron linenot doing so well, there could be further line juggling. I would guess Winchester and D’Agostini come in to the line up.
Preds Captain Jason Arnott remains out of the line up, as does deadline addition Defenseman Denis Grebeshkov.
Expect Pekka Rinne and Chris Mason to square off between the pipes.
According to Paul McCann at Hockeybuzz.com, the road team has won evey game so far in this season’s series. The Preds are 3-0-0 at Scottrade and the Blues are 1-0-0 down south.
No HD tonight.
