What an interesting role reversal took place in tonight’s game.
Monday night the Blues were the home team hitting posts and struggling to get shots through a cluttered slot. Wednesday night the Blues were the scrappy road team making life miserable for the home team. I will always take the clean two points (none for Detroit), but where was this Monday? Right now only the players can answer that.
On to the game…
“Who is that guy in net?”
The biggest story of tonight’s game has to be the goal-tending performances by “team back-ups” Ty Conklin and Jimmy Howard. They combined to stop 67 of 68 total shots and produce 10 goalless power plays. Both goalies made big saves at big times. Both did a fair job of control rebounds and limiting second chances.
The difference was in the play of the teams in front of the net defensively. The Blues, for the most part, limited the chances in front. They were able to block shots (22 total) and maintain defensive position on the Wings. If the shot got through either it was tucked in by Conklin or the rebound was controlled by the Blues. Not always out of the zone, but out of immediate danger. The Blues can thank the post, which Nick Lidstrom rung 2 shots off of.
Shoot the Puck
Blues fans are harping on the shot selection for good reason. Once again tonight the Blues missed several chances to get the puck on net. WHo were the bad boys tonight? TJ Oshie, Erik Johnson, and David Perron. I am concerned over Johnson’s lack of a quick shot from the point, its non existent. I know he has a bomb from the point, but you dont get time to wind up anymore. The quick shot needs to be there too keep the forwards honest. That way they stay back sometimes and you can get the cannon off.
Oshie about had me ripping my hair out on two occasions. Yes, he did have the nice shot that David Backes deflected just wide, but other than that he over handled the puck in the first and second period from a shooting lane to a blocked shot / turnover. TJ has the quick shot and he needs to use it more. Not to pick the top shelf but to just get the puck on net.
I love Perron’s work on the boards and in the corners, but its becoming predictable. Teams are overloading his corner and backing him to the wall. Leaving Perron no passing lanes or skating lanes. His use of his line mates was limited and inconsistent at best. The ability to control the offensive zone and flow takes talent, but to use it to create chances takes hockey IQ and experience. Right now, Perron isn’t showing a high IQ or much experience. With the experience he will see when to get his head up and not down while working the puck in the corner. That way he sees the lanes to get pucks through and not get sectioned off.
Agitation
It was interesting to see Perron, Abdelkader, and Holmstrom get under every one’s skin. Hlomstrom is already abrasive sticking his posterior in to the goalies face, but Abdelkader and Perron seemed to do a little riling up. Blues vs. Wings games tend to get chippy and tonight wasn’t an exception.
The Dynamic Duo Returns
Barret Jackman and Roman Polak put on another outstanding show against some of the best high end offensive talent in the league. They were all over the Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom line. Riding the skill players to the boards and reducing the screening effects of Holmstrom. Both players had a distinct physical edge and were riding the forwards hard to the boards. The second shove Polak put on Datsyuk was a little dangerous. Datsyuk was off balance and facing the boards in a vulnerable position. However, I’d rather be taking that penalty (when no one is hurt) than a lazy hooking call. That physical play sets a tone. Zetterberg and Datsyuk were noticeably off their game and there is little doubt that Jackman and Polak had a lot to do with that.
They combined for 47+ minuts on the ice, 5 blocked shots, 5 hits, and an EVEN rating.
Can’t forget Jackman’s big hit on Cleary in the third. Capped off a rather lame game by Cleary as well.
Take the Body
It was nice to see Brad Winchester look like the Brad Winchester of the 08-09 season. He was working hard on the forecheck, crashing bodies and using his own big body to protect the puck. His forecheck pressure and down low work lead to the Boyes goal that was set up by Andy McDonald and Carlo Colaiacovo. David Backes was also using his size and speed to cause trouble for Detroit. Both had a physical edge to their game that was present, yet restrained. This is a key element missing form the Blues 09-10 bag of goodies that was present in the 08-09 stretch run. If both can keep t up, the offense will turn the corner sooner rather than later. Backes was credited with three Hits and Winchester with zero (should have been one or two).
Special Teams
The Blues have now killed off 26 straight penalties on the road. For all the negativity surrounding the power play, the penalty kill has picked up the positive slack. Surging back from obscurity when Captain Eric Brewer returned, it has continued to improve in his latest absence. The key? Outworking the other team. When you have little time and space it is very hard to create chances on net. The biggest impact tonight was Conklin’s ability to see shots. He faced many and Holmstrom didn’t interfere with as many as he usually does. Credit Jackman, Mike Weaver, and Daryl Sydor with working Holmstrom hard in front.
The power play is another story. I was extremely unimpressed with the McDonald-Tkachuk-Boyes-Steen-Colaiacovo unit. Carlo and Steen seemed to be the only two working to get the puck in the zone. The one time that unit set up in the zone, Detroit really just let it in. The Oshie-Backes-Berglund-Kariya-Johnson unit was good and created some chances. The power play looks like it could turn the corner if its this unit leading the power play ice time stats. This is where Johnson’s lack of a quick shot is really hurting the Blues.
She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain
A few weeks ago Brad Boyes put together a solid individual game. He scored a goal, fought for lose pucks, finished his checks firmly. Then he tailed off again. Tonight was another solid performance. Properly read the play that lead to the games only goal less than two minutes in to the first period. The rest of the game he worked hard for pucks and finished his checks. He did have a careless turn over on the cycle, but otherwise he showed improvement. Can he continue through to Friday’s game back at Scottrade vs Edmonton?
Andy McDonald continues to work his buff off to produce offensively. When will his game come around? He did notch an assist on the Boyes goal, but otherwise he puts out he effort with little reward.
Most Underrated Guy of the Game?
What a solid game by Mike Weaver. Weaver was a Plus-1, blocked two shots, and saw 6:22 of penalty kill ice time (second highest to Jackman). BJ Crombeen is a close second. Worked hard to create pressure and played well on the PK. Alex Steen comes in third. He was very solid in terms of effort and defensive responsibility in his very small amount of ice time (just under 12 minutes).
Player of the Game
Ty Conklin
Conklin stopped all 42 shots to record his second shutout of the 09-10 season.
For those of you that care about football (remember, I’m a football guy first) . . . hopefully you enjoyed the Super Bowl and the commercials that came along with it. Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints for a well-played Super Bowl and a victory that was earned and not handed. What a game! And as a lifelong Denver Broncos fans, all I have to say is . . . I guess the San Diego Chargers never really had a good use for Drew Brees, did they? But enough about football analysis . . . this is a hockey blog.
