Colton Orr battles, and chuckles at, our old friend DJ King. Image via clydeorama/Flickr

So the Ken Hitchcock Era begins. And it began with a flourish, as the St. Louis Blues defeated their old rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-0. A power play goal was scored, too! IT’S ANOTHER FESTIVUS MIRACLE! And as anticipated, there was a fight in this contest, though the contestants seemed to be somewhat of an odd couple. Daniel Carcillo – upset at seeing Ryan Reaves take down teammate Patrick Kane – went after Reaves. This would turn out not to be a wise move by Carcillo, as he pretty much got his ass kicked by “Mike Singletary On Skates”, in the judgment of both my semi-trained eye and a near-unanimous vote over at Fried Chicken’s place (video evidence is here). The Blues now have collected six fighting majors on the season and are moving up the charts, now placing in a tie for 15th in the National Hockey league with the Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks in that category. The fight record is now a sturdy 3-0-3.

Also, for the record . . . Pennsylvania State University – either in reality or concept, by nickname or otherwise – is dead to me, from this moment forward.

Game number two of the Ken Hitchcock Era features an Eastern Conference opponent that is familiar with all of us old Blues fans – former Norris Division rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Since taking over the General Manager reins in 2008, Brian Burke has molded this Leafs team into a likeness that would make his 2007 Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks proud – with a solid mixture of skilled veterans, young talent and violent wrecking-ball forces. However, that has not translated to success in even reaching the playoffs at this moment. Assuredly, though, that moment is coming soon. After a hot start, the Leafs are peeling back just a bit. The loss of young hot-shot goaltender, James Reimer, is not helping matters for the Blue and White. The Leafs come into this contest having received seven fighting majors on the 2011-2012 season, good for a tie for 10th in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets in that category. Their record in these fights is an okay 3-2-2. However, all those victories come from one man. Last year, the Leafs were 10th in the NHL by themselves with 50 fighting majors, collecting a rather average record of 14-15-21.

Maple Leafs players that have fought this year include Mike Brown (5’11”, 205lbs, 3-0-1) with four fights, Luke Schenn (6’2”, 229lbs, 0-2-0) with two fights and designated team enforcer Colton Orr (6’3”, 230lbs, Draw) with one fight. Current Leafs who fought last year include Orr (6-5-2) with 13 fights, Brown (2-1-6) with nine, Jay Rosehill (6’3”, 215lbs, 1-2-4) and Mike Komisarek (6’4”, 243lbs, 1-4-2) each with seven, Dion Phaneuf (6’3”, 214lbs , 3-0-1) with four and Schenn (1-0-1) and former Devil and Capital Dave Steckel (6’6”, 215lbs, 0-1-1) with two fights each. Solo fighters included Clarke MacArthur (Win), Joffrey Lupul (Draw), Colby Armstrong (6’2”, 195lbs, Loss, on IR with a sprained ankle) and former Avalanche players John-Michael Liles (5’10”, 185lbs, Loss) and Philippe Dupuis (6’0”, 196lbs, Loss).

Honestly, unless Orr suits up for a third game of the season (and the likelihood is that he will not), there will probably not be a fight in this game. I would love to see something silly, like if David Backes fought against Brown or something like that. But I just don’t see anything happening in this contest involving the fists. However, I’ve been wrong before.

Two home wins in a row would be awesome. Go get it, boys.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

TJ Oshie Death Stare at Officials or Contemplating Poor Second Period?

If yesterday’s game between the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks needed a movie title, it would be borrwed from Mr. George Lucas.

The Second Period Strikes Back

The Achilles Heel of the Note for most of 2011 has not been so predominant lately.  Even prior to the Erik Johnson Trade, the play in the second period had taken a turn for the better. Yesterday’s 5-3 loss was a complete regression of all the positive steps taken in the last few weeks to keep the Blues in contention. Instead of drawing one point behind the Hawks and five from the 8th position in the Western Conference they remain seven back of the cutoff line and allowed Chicago to become the fifth team in the conference to knot up the standings with 68 points.

The first period was one of dominance. The Hawks were noticeably tired from Sunday’s shootout victory over the injury depleted Pittsburgh Penguins. The Blues took advantage of the situation and register a pair of marks. Andy McDonald’s 13th of the season came on the power play. Banking in Patrik Berglund’s rebound. Brad Boyes tallied his 12th when he collected a TJ Oshie attempt on net and put it behind Corey Crawford. The shot differential tells the tale as well. The Blues lead 15 to 9.

The first 20 minutes would be the last time the Blues “lead” the game.

Chicago came out on a mission in the second. In true Stanley Cup champion form, gathered their wits and focused their energies. Scoring three goals between the 2:18 and 6:29 mark of the second period. Halfway through the period they pushed the lead to 4-2. Executing on the opportunities created to widen the lead. Something the Blues couldn’t do with the lead 2-0 and momentum in their favor. Goals by Viktor Stalberg (9th), Dave Bolland (13th), Patrick Kane (20th) and Jonathan Toews (20th).

As good as Ben Bishop was Saturday, he was equally “off” Monday. He was fighting off rebounds in the first and once the Hawks woke up, the Blues defense crumbled. Namely Barret Jackman who made multiple mistakes leading to the scoring chances Bishop couldn’t keep out. Matt D’Agostini and BJ Crombeen are not without fault either. Both went for the loose puck coming off a draw to Ben’s right. As the both went for it, they both stopped. Stalberg picked it up and slid it 5-hole. From that goal forward, the whole game unraveled.

In standard fashion, the Blues did make a push in the third. Alex Pietrangelo scored his 7th to close the gap to 4-3, but they could come no closer. Chicago locked down the slot and the Blues were unable to penetrate. Far too many shots took too long to get off the stick as the Hawks blocked 18 shots.

Sadly, this game is yet another where questionable officiating calls raise concerns over the outcome of the contest. Besides a few icing calls that raised eyebrows, the key moment came in the third when Tim Peel took back Pietrangelo’s first 7th goal of the season. Peel ruled incidental contact as Crombeen and Hawks defenseman Nick Leddy we’re in tight on Crawford. With over 14 minutes left to go in the game at the time of the call, the Blues could have pushed their way back to a tie. The execution just never came.

While the disallowed goal didn’t zap the Blues like it did the Anaheim Ducks when Cam Fowler’s goal was called back, their total let down came between the 20 and 40 minute mark. The idea of a young, highly skilled club is something to work towards. There is little doubt that the Blues are a more skilled team following the Johnson trade. There is no doubt there is more energetic youth in the lineup.

However, there is still a large question of leadership, resolve and dedication that come with youth dominated rosters.

For the last two months especially, but largely since November, the Blues have struggled, again, to find a full 60 minute effort. There is only so much Davis Payne and his staff can do. At some point the players need to figure it out for themselves. With Eric Brewer gone and Ty Conklin with one leg out the door,  McDonald and Jackman will soon be the only players over 30. A little calming presence of an old timer could go a long way in stabilizing the ship.

Quick Hits

- Bishop stopped 14 of 18 shots before being replaced by Conklin. Conks stopped all 7 shots he faced. Crawford stopped 31 of 34 Blues shots on goal.

- The Blues top line of McDonald, David Backes and Chris Stewart were a combined Minus-9.

- With John Scott as a scratch for Chicago, one has to wonder why Cam Janssen was not. Phil McRae’s skill and abilities would have been more useful than Cam’s 6 minutes of skating in circles. Janssen is due credit for trying to play a more well rounded energy line game, but he failed to register a hit or a fight. Sounds harsh, but a complete waste of a spot on the lineup card. Maybe Payne didn’t want to risk putting Crombeen or Brad Winchester up against Scott. Did Detroit ever fight DJ King or Janssen when they were dressed against them? Not that I recall. Sit him and tell everyone to avoid Scott. Works for Mike Babcock. There isn’t anyone on the Hawks roster besides Scott that Winchester and Crombeen can’t handle.

- Jackman was the goat of the game, but Pietrangelo deserves some critique as well. Getting turned around and inside out on a Hawks goal as well.

- It’s interesting to see the play of Nikita Nikitin develop. From one shift being beat because he was caught flatfooted to the next shift reacting correctly in the same scenario. Not going to call him a true top 4 defenseman right now, but that could easily be in his future. In 17:47 TOI he registered an assist and a team high 3 blocked shots.

- Randall and I sparred a little over the Michael Frolik trade. After seeing him play against the Pens and then yesterday versus the Blues, my mind hasn’t changed. No desire to see him in a bluenote. For the Western Conference style of game, he isn’t strong enough with the puck on the boards to make an impact. He really needs to be the floater in the zone working in and out of space. That said, if Boyes can improve in that regard, so could Frolik. He’s not going to adjust well to the style of gameplay in this half of the league.

- The Blues won 30 of 58 draws. Berglund lead the way winning 13 of 19 face-offs. Backes at the opposite end won just 3 of 14. Time to put Oshie in the middle? Not with his chemistry with Berglund. Time to really force Backes to work on improving the weakest part of his game.

Next Up

The Snowpacalypse that wasn’t make up game against the Colorado Avalanche is Tuesday, February 22nd. Old friends EJ and Jay McClement will be back in the Lou, wearing white and maroon. The Blues better have this as a must win on the white board. Another back to back flop like the one against Minnesota two weekends ago.

Backes and Berglund Getting It Done

While the Blues victories of late have come from team efforts, two players down the middle stand out. David Backes and Patrick Berglund.

Backes has 5 goals and 11 points in 12 games in December. Besides the score sheet tallies he has been a physical force. Putting opposing players in to the glass, on their posterior and attacking the net. When he lost his head in Detroit on the 15th, he came back with solid games against LA and San Jose. elevating his play to his late 2008-09 season level that helped the Blues make the playoffs.

Berglund may only have 2 goals and 5 points, but has been doing all the little things much better. Using his body to protect the puck and create space to make plays. It seems more often that not in this crucial swing month Berglund is recalling the wisdom shared by Scott Mellanby and is seizing opportunity.

A Strange Decision

According to Blues beat writer Lou Korac, Ty Conklin gets the start in net tonight.

I’m far from a super critic, but I’m not guzzling kool-aid either. Jaroslav Halak should be between the pipes. He was brought in for a highly touted prospect to be the number one netminder. When the big game is on the line, he is the man in the mask. Is Payne’s angle that Conklin will come out fired up to avenge his seven goal thrashing at the United Center a month ago or is he hoping for a repeat appearance of Conks form last Tuesday in Atlanta?

I will gladly eat crow if Ty has an outstanding game, but his historical trends at Scottrade (9 games (*including Sweden), 3-6-0, 3.89 GAA, .869 save percentage) and against the Hawks (13 Games, 7-5-0, 3.20 GAA, .893 save percentage) do not bode well.

Blues Injury Update

According to GM Doug Armstrong TJ Oshie‘s timetable has been “bumped” slightly. They are expecting him back now close to the All Star Game at the end of January. Trainer Ray Barille keeps tabs on David Perron and Andy McDonald daily. Army wouldn’t confirm rumors / reports of the two concussed forward progressing. Check out the interview on Blues.NHL.com.

Blues Sign Svatos

Please check out my BNZ blog on the Blues signing former Avs winger Marek Svatos.

Blues Catching A Break In Net?

Goaltender Corey Crawford will miss another start due to illness and allow Marty Turco to make his 22nd start of the season. The young netminder has been playing well and is due back soon. To date Crawford is 11-6-1 in 18 games with a 2.30 GAA and .916 save percentage. Conversely, Turco is 9-8-2 with a 2.96 GAA and .899 save percentage. As bad as Conks numbers are against the Hawks, Marty’s are about as bad against the Blues lately. In 2009-10 he was 1-1-1 in three games with a 3.28 GAA and .896 save percentage.

Since joining Chicago his numbers have improved, but his level of play seems about the same. Keep the puck away from him to establish zone pressure on dumps and get him moving in the crease to create second chances.

Hawks Getting Healthy

All indications point to Patrick Kane making his return to the Hawks lineup tonight. While the Blues have greatly limited his effectiveness, along with Jonathan Toews‘, the two broke out in the 7-5 barn burner on November 30th.  They combined for 4 goals and a pair of assists. Will Barret Jackman once again draw the 10/88 assignment? If he does, look for Eric Brewer and Roman Polak to take care of Patrick Sharp and another returning forward, Marian Hossa. Hossa’s first game back in a month was a success. Adding two assists in a winning effort.

Can the Blues defense restrain both deadly combination? Only if the forwards get back and cut down time and space for the shifty forwards to make lateral moves.

Get Kopecky!

Not only is this Tomas Kopecky getting under Polak‘s skin, but drawing the ire of Blues fans. Besides some of his post whistle antics, he is a new Blues killer. The Slovak forward is at his best against the Blues. In 24 games he has 5 goals and 13 points. Personal bests in both categories. He is a secondary guy that must be stopped.

Lineup

The only expected changes are on the back-end per Lou. Payne shuffled the defensive pairings at the morning skate.

Vladimir Sobotka – David Backes – Matt D’Agostini
Alex Steen – Patrik Berglund – BJ Crombeen
Brad Winchester – Jay McClement – Brad Boyes
Chris Porter – Adam Cracknell – Cam Janssen

Eric Brewer – Roman Polak
Barret Jackman – Alex Pietrangelo
Carlo Colaiacovo – Erik Johnson

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The United States is still on Cloud Nine after their unbelievable 5-3 upset victory over Canada on Sunday.  Reports are that Vancouver stood silent on Sunday night – a good feeling after beating the home squad.  But now, the real fun of the Olympic tournament begins.

Switzerland earned a second opportunity to knock off the Americans after a 3-2 shootout win over Belarus yesterday afternoon.  The reason Switzerland was in the knockout round in the first place was due to a 3-1 loss to the United States in each team’s opening Olympic game in group play – a game that included David Backes and his sweet end-to-end goal (the 2nd goal here).  In that game, Switzerland showed that they’re SO much more than banks, cheese, Army knives and koo-koo clocks.  They’re not spectacular, but they will compete.

Switzerland’s strength derives from their play on the defensive end.  They have one of the tournament’s best goaltenders in Jonas Hiller, one of the tournament’s best stay-at-home defensemen in Mark Streit and a handful of young defensive up-and-comers such as Yannick Weber and Luca Sbisa.  This is not to say they can’t score goals – former NHLer Hnat Domenichelli and youngster Julien Sprunger have supplied much of the offense for Switzerland in this tournament.

The key to the game will be the United States’ depth, specifically the team’s 3rd and 4th lines and how they match up to the top Swiss lines.  This would include Backes, whose forechecking will be very important to the success of the United States team.  It wouldn’t hurt to pull off another coast-to-coast finish, either, but my guess is that the Swiss will have that one covered by now.

PREDICTION: United States 4, Switzerland 2 in another tooth-and-nail game.  United States goals by Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel, Backes (AGAIN!) and – in a surprise – Jack Johnson (hey, Rafalski can’t score ALL the goals from the point, can he?).  Swiss goals by Domenichelli and Martin Pluss.

U-S-A!  U-S-A!  U-S-A!