Stocked Blues Lineup Dominates Bland Avalanche Squad
Carlo Colaiacovo ©2011 TSNPhotography
At this point in the preseason teams are looking for chemistry development and dominating performances. Thursday night’s 3-1 Blues victory over the Colorado Avalanche was full of both.
What appears to be the top two scoring lines heading in to the regular season were on display and flying high. Newly minted captain David Backes centered Andy McDonald and Jamie Langenbrunner while Patrik Berglund was flanked by TJ Oshie and Chris Stewart. Those six they combined for the vast majority of the Blues’ scoring chances and conversions. Racking up three goals, four assists and 15 of the Blues total 32 shots on goal.
Backes was the first to score at the 17:28 mark of the second period. After Ben Bishop made a sprawling save the play quickly turned up ice. As often seen in the NHL a failed near scoring chance at one end turns in to goal 200 feet away. McDonald flew up the right wing putting a tough to handle backhand shot on Jean-Sebastian Giguere. Backes was on top of the big rebound to net his second of the preseason.
Some eight minutes after Colorado forward Joakim Lindstrom knotted game at 1-1 early in the third period, Oshie put the Blues back on top for good. On a power play resulting from a too many men call against the Avalanche number 74 was all over another McDonald created rebound for his first marker in exhibition play. Berglund sealed the deal three and a half minutes later with a heavy snap shot through Giguere.
As the stat sheet and 32-15 shot advantage allude to, the Blues were dominant on the ice. Displaying solid possession play and outworking an Avs squad that generally looked to be going through the motions rather than competing in a NHL game. The Backes and Berglund lines succeeded in controlling the pace of play with a commanding presence below the opposing red line. Both trios we’re able to cycle and come off the wall high as well as create space directly behind the net and work passes in to the slot.
For all the apprehension that was appropriate when news came out that Langenbrunner would skate on the “top line”, the threesome truly had the most obvious chemistry.
Though Vladimir Sobotka skated in what is very likely Jason Arnott‘s spot as the third center, his unit with Alex Steen and Matt D’Agostini was quick and geled together. DAgs nearly netted his third goal of the preseason when he cleanly beat Giguere, but rang the last shot off the post.
The highlight of the 4th line’s night was that of Ryan Reaves heavyweight bout with Patrick Bordeleau. The decision was a push. Reaves lead early with serious connections, but Bordleau first’ gab stunned the Blues forward and allowed the Avs combatant back in to the fight. The two have a history back in the AHL.
In his last attempt to earn the backup gig, Bishop was what he should be. Solid against a weaker team. He stopped 14 of 15 Avalanche shots. Most were mundane, but he answered the call the few times he needed to.
Quick Hits
- Defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo left the game with an upper body injury after playing just 5:30. MSM reports after the game indicate that head coach Davis Payne is not sure how much time Colaiacovo may miss. Will be evaluated later. Ian Cole and Nikita Nikitin would be inline to take minutes should the become available by an extended absence to number 28.
- Alex Pietrangelo was solid and looked every bit the part of a top pairing defenseman. Skating to a game high 25:47 TOI and 5:06 PP TOI. He assisted on Oshie’s game winning goal.
- The Avs top 2011 draft pick, Gabriel Landeskog, had a solid start to the game, but didn’t stand out much as the game went on. He seemed to have an understanding of what he is doing in the North American style game, but has a ways to go to master it. Both Backes and Reaves gave him introductory hits.
- The scorecard says the Blues blocked 17 shots, but that feels about half as much as what it should be. Kent Huskins led with a game high seven.
- Colorado won 27 of 52 faceoffs.
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Next up for the Blues are the Dallas Stars on Saturday for FanFest. Activities start at 9:30 am and the game is at 1:30 pm.
