GameBlog 4-10-10: Blues vs. Predators
The curtain drops on the Blues 2009-2010 season tonight in Nashville. It has been a season of ups and downs, regression and progression. Nashville is in the playoffs and the Blues are not. Nashville wants to escape a Blues team that should be looking for revenge. Nashville took away key points at very important times of the season, the Blues should be looking for some level of compensation. No, I do not mean run Janssen out the to steamroll Ryan Suter. What I mean is that the Blues need to end the season on a high note. Shellacking one of the two teams that kept you from the playoffs is all we got so let’s take it.
Throughout the season I’ve harped on the power play, the goaltending, the speed through the neutral zone., etc. All vital parts that have to work correctly for a Blues victory. I could beat that dead horse, but why do that when tomorrow starts the off season? The Blues just need to play the game that Davis Payne asks for. Be smart, quick, responsible, keep moving, and always work at 100%. That type of play needs to come from the new core of players. When games mean the least they are the hardest to motivate for. Your team leaders, your core, are the guys who don’t care if the game has little “meaning”. They still put out the effort of a winner from start to end. Can players like Backes, Steen, Oshie (who is playing), Perron, and Johnson step up their game and lead the way? Can other young additions like Eller, Junland, and Strachan (recalled today) elevate their play to make impressions to improve their position at training camp? If the game Friday night against Anaheim was any indication, all said players will play their best.
Keith Tkachuk will not be playing in tonight’s game. The great Walt’s carer is done, wrapped up Friday night in a special lopsided third period. Hopefully he will be at home with his family watching the game on some huge TV flashing that gnarly smile as the Blues mound up the goals on Nashville. Some fans may have loved to rag on him, but you can’t discount how great of a player he was and his impact on American hockey. To date, the best American born power forward. Someone could take his place, but no one looks close yet.
TJ Oshie is supposedly back in the line up tonight. Berglund, Polak, Jackman are all out.
Tyson Strachan was recalled from Peoria. I would expect him to play with Junland. They were a pairing in Peoria as well. This would likely rule out Sydor or Colaiacovo to even the pairings at three righties and three lefties.
Mason has had success against his former team. I would expect Chris to start following an average night against the Ducks.
This is Davis Payne’s last chance to leave the front office with a good on ice impression. If the players didn’t work for Murray, I bet they work for Payne to keep him around.
Game is in HD (YAY!). It’s going to be a long summer folks, but tonight we have one last game to cheer for the 2009-2010 St. Louis Blues. Make it a good one.
