GameBlog 4-9-10: Blues vs. Ducks
Two games in two days will end the Blues 2009-2010 season. It’s a bit premature, but it’s been an important learning experience. That learning experience continues with the callup of prospects Lars Eller and Jonas Junland.
The task at hand is defeating the Ducks. Thursday night they were in Dallas for a ” fairytale” game by Mike Modano. In possibly his last home game in a Dallas uniform, Modano had a goal and an assist to go with his Shootout goal to lead Dallas to a 3-2 victory. Can Anaheim survive another emotionally charged team on the second night of a back to back set? If history stays true tonight, Anaheim will have a better than average chance at taking down the Blues.
There has been due questioning of the team lately. I’m sure front office is aware, but are the players? Wednesday’s first period flop played right in to the hands of the accusers. The Blues simply must find a way to play a hockey smart and hard working start to a game. A great way to pushback some of he comments would be a goose egg for Mason after one period and the Blues up a goal or two. There can’t be a third period collapse allowed on Tkachuk’s night either.
Could thus be Chris Madon’s last tome on Scottrade ice? Since he passed on the extension and he will hit the diluted UFA goalie market, it’s quite likely. Fans have Bern split over Mase for a while now. He gives mulitiple four or five game stretches where he is lights out. The rest are a mixed bag of goods. Let’s not forget the trade that brought him to St. Louis. The Blues moved Jamal Mayers to Toronto for a mid round pick and sent a different mid round pick to Nashville for Mason. The bottom line is they traded an over paid “4th” line role player for a goalie that lead the team to the playoffs once and nearly twice (oh no, idiotic cheerleader alert).
Player Notes
Once again Lou Koarc had the goods.
Out: Oshie, Berglund, Polak, Jackman.
In: Eller, Junland, Tkachuk.
Eller will skate on a line with McDonald and Perron. Junland will be paired with Colaiacovo.
Chris Mason is in net.
Gametime us 7:00 pm. The Blues are doing “Jersey off their backs” again. I believe the plan is to honor Tkachuk after the game.
