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Blues News

Managing Owner Dave Checketts says the investor group is 95% complete and the plan to have a replacement for TowerBrook Capital Partners is on schedule for early 2011. TowerBrook will stay on board with a significantly smaller stake than their current 75%. Great news Blues fans. I’ll drink the kool-aid on this one. [JR, STLToday.com]

Rick Nash lives in fear of TJ Oshie? Yes, yes he does Hildy. I want to see a line of Sobotka-Backes-Oshie take him on…maniacal chuckle… [Thrashing the Blues]

Why I read John Jaeckel after the Blues beat the Hawks I don’t know. Always seems to have a bug up his rear end after them. [Hockeybuzz.com]

Losing Svatos isn’t the end of the world. Too true. [Kevin Lorenz, InsideSTL.com]

Sad news as Jaden Schwartz fractures his ankle a the WJC in Buffalo. [Blues.NHL.com]

Check out the options for Army. [BNZ]

Please check out my Bluenotes blog this week on NHLHotstove.com.

Good ole Lou Korac says that Davis Payne confirmed Jaroslav Halak as the starter Friday. [@lkorac10]

Ross MacLean of ISS says the following about Vladimir Tarasnko [TheHockeyNews.com]:

Russia is a bit of a disappointment in terms of scouting, having left off their most exciting draft eligible players such as potential 2012 first overall candidate Nail Yakupov and 2011 potential first-rounders Alexander Khokhlachev and Vladislav Namestnikov. What is worth watching is the dominant abilities of their captain, Vladimir Tarasenko. A 2010 St. Louis Blues first-rounder, Tarasenko is a game-breaker and is as explosive as they come. If you want an example of elite acceleration, look no further than Tarasenko.

Around the NHL

Is Tomas Kaberle the only option for the Boston Bruins? Good question. If he is, that’s sad, but they could use him. [Ty Anderson, Hockeybuzz.com]

Reality Check on Long Island. The WIz had to go. [BD Gallof, HockeyIndependent.com]

Where do the Flames go from here? Another good question. Guessing Jay Feaster makes some deals to gain cap leverage. [Alexander Monaghan, NHLHotStove.com]

Talking Trophy races already? Yep. That’s the way it goes these days. [TheHockeyWriters.com]

Ryan Dixon says Atlanta Thrashers netminder Ondrej Pavelec is an early Vezina candidate. Sure… [TheHockeyNews.com]

Darn you Islanders. Stopping Sid’s streak. Guess when all you can do is play “the spoiler”, get started early. [Pensburgh]

Lastly, please check out my blogging buddy Brian Metzer’s photo blog at the Winter Classic and his excellent site, FromThePoint.com.

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As always, you are invited to follow @618_STLBlues and @BlueNoteZone on Twitter and on the  BlueNoteZone Facebook Fan Page for in game updates and Blues news. Please also check out the St. Louis Blues Blogs Facebook Fan Page for links to Blues blogs all over the Internet.

The Blues are headed to Detroit with new faces and more injuries.

Alex Pietrangelo, Blues rookie defensemen will miss tonights game with an upper body injury. It is unknown when the injury was sustained. He took a hard hit by Rick Nash in the game Columbus game and a bit of a butt-end by Jeff Skinner in the Carolina game. He left practice on Monday and didn’t return. Tyson Strachan will step back into the line up in place of Pietrangelo for tonights game.

Pietrangelo is questionable for Thursday’s nights game against the L.A. Kings.

With Detroit lacking a true enforcer, Cam Janssen will sit while Dave Scatchard, Chris Porter and Adam Cracknell will fill in after being recalled yesterday. This will be the first National Hockey League game for the 25 year old, Cracknell.

The Blues are coming off a shootout loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in which the Blues posted a total of 39 shots against the Canes but saw only one shot go by Cam Ward in the game and the shootout. The goal? Alex Pietrangelo’s slapper was the only goal for the Blues. With the Blues missing their key goalscorers, it’s time for David Backes, Brad Boyes, and and Patrik Berglund to step up and start putting the puck in the net.

Interested in who our fighting expert thinks could throw them tonight, or the odd pairings of who he would like see drop the mitts? Check out this games edition of the Throwdown Lowdown.

Be sure and check out a can’t miss Q&A by Jeff Quirin with Anders Ajer,
Wings blogger over at Fight Night At The Joe. A great little scouting report that is a must read.

“I was a huge Red Wings fan growing up … until I got drafted by the Blues and learned about the rivalry. Now, I am not a Red Wings fan anymore. … I am definitely not a Red Wings fan. And if they lose the rest of their games the rest of this year, I would probably be happy with that.” A quote from Ian Cole in Lou Korac’s special on him relishing his role with the Blues.

The rookie defensemen has come a long way since his days at Notre Dame.

TONIGHTS ROSTER

Forwards

Vladimir Sobotka-David Backes-Brad Boyes

Brad Winchester-Patrik Berglund-B.J. Crombeen

Alex Steen-Jay McClement-Matt D’Agostini

Chris Porter-Dave Scatchard-Adam Cracknell

Defensemen

Ian Cole-Eric Brewer

Barret Jackman-Erik Johnson

Carlo Colaiacovo-Tyson Strachan

Goalie

Jaroslav Halak

Thank you JR for the line up tonight.

WJHC NEWS

In other Blues news, it’s looks like Jaden Schwartz will join a decent crop of Blues prospects playing in the World Junior Hockey Championship this coming January in Buffalo, New York. He has been selected to Team Canada’s roster.

Though the rosters are locked down just yet, it is almost ceratin that Vladimir Tarasenko (Russia) will not only make the roster but be named captain of the Russia.

Sebastian Wannstrom (Sweden) has had a great camp, really notching a good chunk of goals and assists and could very well find himself on the roster for Sweden for the tourny

Jani Hakanpää (Finland) could find himself playing in the tourny for Finland but it’s about 50/50 at this point. One of the lesser known Blues prospects, he could be a surprise player if he makes their roster out of camp.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter, RandallRitchey. As well as following BNZ on Twitter and on Facebook.

26 in blue is still on my you-know-what list. Apparently Shea Weber’s too. Image via sportsnet.ca

We start by completing the previous report: I assumed the vote would lead to a draw between Stefan Della Rovere and Colin Fraser, and of course, I was wrong.  The votes were close between “Draw” and “Della Rovere”, but the rookie got the edge (one vote somehow went to Fraser, though he didn’t land one punch and ducked out after his jersey went over his face . . . ugh).  The correction is noted in the fight record below.  Video evidence of Della Rovere’s first fight, a win, is here.  I think I’m really gonna like this kid, and I expect to be reporting on him here more often.

Sunday’s 3-2 Blues victory over the Vancouver Canucks was well-deserved and much-needed.  Speaking of those terms, how about Carlo Colaiacovo?  Keith Ballard low-bridged “Coca-Cola Classic” along the boards, and Cola got up and beat the living snot out of Ballard.  I’m not even sure why Ballard GOT a fighting penalty as he didn’t hardly throw – much less land – any punches.  I also believe Colaiacovo is tired of being injured by questionable hits, which made it nice to see him stand up for himself.  And I have no frickin’ clue what Ballard is laughing about as he walks to the box – I guess at least he didn’t bean his goaltender with his stick blade this time around.  But I digress.  This fight brings the Blues to what WAS, earlier in the week, a tie for first in the NHL with 28 fights but that has changed.  The win and the above correction combine to bring their fight record to 15-7-6.

Since the incident between Samuel Pahlsson and TJ Oshie from the November 10th blowout contest in Columbus – an incident I still maintain did not need to happen, and one which I believe made Pahlsson look like an irresponsible klutz – coupled with the team’s attendance woes, makes me wonder why the Columbus Blue Jackets are still viable, even if they’re ahead of the Blues in the standings.  (Pre-game report from the Nationwide Beatdown game is here.  It’s a relic from a happier time!)  Not to say I anticipate an absolute bloody mess, but to say the physicality may be a bit ratcheted in this contest would be an understatement.  Alas, the Jackets don’t fight often – right now they are tied for 19th with the Colorado Avalanche with 15 fights on the season.  Their record in those fights?  An absolutely puke-tastic 3-10-2.  This is a perfect opportunity for the Blues to regain some physicality on the punching side.

You probably already know about co-fight leaders Jared Boll (6’2”, 214lbs, 3-3-0) and Derek Dorsett (6’0”, 190lbs, an embarrassing 0-6-0 including this loss to BJ Crombeen), each with six fights on the season.  Of the other three fights, two were contested by Mike Commodore (6’4”, 233lbs, 0-1-1) and one by Chris Clark (6’0”, 191lbs, Draw – with current Peoria Riverman Nathan Oystrick).  It’s not like this team strikes a lot of fear into its’ opponents in a physical fashion – except, of course, when carelessly dropping players on the ice.

As I said, blood should be shed in this game.  I would not be stunned at anything Della Rovere does at this point, nor would I be shocked by a rematch between Canada’s Rick Nash and USA’s David Backes.  The violence would favor the Blues, and it would be very awesome to see out of this team.

I would like blood.  A win would be nice, too.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Maybe someone can do this to Derek Dorsett tonight. Again. Image via the Orange County Register

The Blues don’t choose to make it exciting, but they DO choose to keep the good times rolling in beating the New York Rangers 2-0 on Sunday.  In that game, big Saskatchewan native Tyson Strachan – in a rare opportunity to play as opposed to watch from the owner’s box – decided to instigate a fight with well-noted brawler Brandon Prust.  That didn’t end well for Strachan, as he missed on a roundhouse right which left him open for several jabs and a takedown from Prust.  So we’ll call it a clean loss for Tyson.  The Blues now stand at 14 fights, tied for fourth in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames.  The Note has a 6-4-4 record in those fights.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are not a fighting team.  It’s a shame, because with the personnel they possess, they SHOULD fight more often.  They have SOME young skill, but they certainly have some third- and fourth-line grinder types that apparently feel the need to stay on the ice.  At the Throwdown Lowdown, I take note and turn my nose at this!  The Jackets are tied for 18th in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks with six (yes, SIX!) fights on the season.  They are 1-4-1 in those fights, so evidently not only are the Jackets not picking many fights, but they’re picking the wrong ones.

Three of the Jackets’ six fights have been contested by a familiar source – Derek Dorsett (6’0”, 190lbs, 0-3-0 . . . ouch).  Another familiar source, Jared Boll (6’2”, 214lbs, 1-1-0), has two of the other three fights, the other from yet another familiar name in heavyweight Mike Commodore (6’4”, 233lbs, Draw).

I can be as much of a downer as possible about how little the Jackets fight, but it seems things change for them when the Blues come to town.  So I certainly expect a fight.  Cam Janssen has a past history with Boll but sizes up well with Dorsett.  Brad Winchester matches up size-wise with Commodore, but Winchester has been a scratch the last two games.  David Backes has a past history with Rick Nash.  TJ Oshie absolutely owns Nash, but Oshie doesn’t fight.  BJ Crombeen is always a factor, and matches up alright size-wise with someone like RJ Umberger.  Guys like Andrew Murray have fought in the past but not yet this season.  There are so many wild cards in this one fight-wise that I can’t handicap it properly.  But I’m almost certain there will be at least one scrap in this contest.

The Blues have gotten a lot of press clippings lately.  Hopefully the players haven’t read those clippings and started to feel good about themselves.  Get a win tonight, boys.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Apparently, Derek Dorsett wanted to give this guy an elbow noogie. Image via bluejacketsxtra.com

This will be a brief Throwdown Lowdown, because we’ve already covered the Columbus Blue Jackets three times (!) since the report began in January.  Division rivalries make my job easy, but add nothing to the product sometimes.  Plus, as anticipated, there were no fights between the Blues or the New York Islanders on Thursday night.  This leaves The Note at 57 fights on the season, still good for 5th place in the NHL.  Their fight record still stands at 23-18-16.

As mentioned, Throwdown Lowdown reports were filed for Columbus games on January 12th at St. Louis, January 18th at Columbus and January 30th at St. Louis.  There was one fight in the January 30th game – a declared draw between Brad Winchester and Jared Boll.  Add seven more fights since that game, and it brings the Jackets to 43 total fights this season.  That’s good for an 11th place tie with the New York Rangers – and oddly enough, the two teams were tied for 11th back on January 30th.  Go figure!  The Jackets’ fight record since the last report is 2-4-2, bringing their overall fight record to an uninspiring 9-19-15.

Rugged winger Boll (6’2″, 210lbs, 5-6-9) has fought in nearly half of Columbus’s fights this season, and it’s not hard to see why.  The dude can, and will, throw bombs.  Plus, when you grow up with a last name like Boll, it’s easy to get type-cast as a brawler.  Other fighters to look for may be winger Derek Dorsett (5’11″, 187lbs, 1-2-2), veteran winger Chris Clark (6’0″, 198lbs, 0-1-0 w/CBJ and 0-3-1 overall), winger and team superstar Rick Nash (6’4″, 218lbs, 2-0-0) and veteran defenseman Mike Commodore (6’5″, 228lbs, 0-0-2).  You’ll notice that, other than Boll and Nash, these fight records are all-too-uninspiring.  If the Blues get into a fight with this team, they OUGHT to win said fight.

I would LOVE to see a rematch of Nash against David Backes.  Maybe they can swap stories about their Olympic medals or something, or if Nash says something about a silver medal, Backes will imbed his into Nash’s head.  That would be awesome!  Also, with Cam Janssen still in the press box seat for another couple games, and this being a division rival, I fully expect DJ King to suit up and go at it with Boll.  I anticipate blood in this game, what with the Blues being fully into the spirit of the playoff chase and the Jackets still fighting to stay in the hunt.

Just like Thursday, it’s a must-win game for the Blues . . . and it’s a lot more fun when the other team is a division rival.  Get it done!

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Just had to. Just HAD to. Image via Red Wings blog (ugh), fightnightatthejoe.blogspot.com

The Blues have gone two straight games without playing Cam Janssen . . . and thus, two straight games without a good ol’ scrap.  While this is great for Gary Bettman and his friends in New York, it tends to put people like me in a sedated trance without the proper innoculation.  In layman’s terms . . . DO NOT WANT!  The Blues remain strong at the 5th position with 45 fights and a 21-13-11 season fight record.

The good thing about divisional opponents is that we play them a lot.  Thus, they get written about a lot and bloggers like me don’t have to repeat ourselves too much.  The Columbus Blue Jackets have been reported about twice already: here and here.  In both, it was well marked that the Jackets are not very good at fighting this season for whatever reason.  They come into this contest tied with the New York Rangers for 11th in the NHL with 35 fights on the season and 7-15-13 on the season.  All four fights between the Blues and Jackets came in the Blues home win back on January 12th.  The Jackets are 1-1-2 since January 18th, the last matchup between the Blues and Jackets.  The win came from the fists of . . . Rick Nash.  AGAIN!  He’s obviously taking his captaincy to heart.  Or he’s training for his next fight with David Backes.

We’ve mentioned violent winger Jared Boll (6’2″, 210lbs, 4-6-6) on several occasions for these reports.  It’s not that he’s an easy target . . . it’s just that he really likes to fight.  And there’s nothing wrong with that.  Others to look forward to are multi-talented captain winger Nash (6’4″, 218lbs, 2-0-0) and veteran defenseman Mike Commodore (6’5″, 228lbs, 0-0-2, should REALLY wear #64).  Those are the only multiple fighters who have not been traded away, waived, sent to the IR or sent to Syracuse.  Ken Hitchcock must have missed that memo about the Western Conference being a bit more rugged.

The dream matchup of the evening will likely be Boll against someone like Brad Winchester or BJ Crombeen, as with Janssen out the last two games, there’s no expectation that he would play.  I will jinx it by saying this . . . I do not anticipate a fight in this game.

The home team has held serve in the Blues-Blue Jackets season series thus far.  Let’s hope that continues tonight, and maybe the Blues will play like January 12th (violent) instead of like January 18th (largely passive).

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Game-time: 6:00 pm Central
TV: FSMW (HD)
Radio: KMOX 1120 AM

St Louis Blues: 13th in Western Conference & 4th in Central Division – 49 Points

Columbus: 14th in Western Conference & 5th in Central Division – 45 Points

Food For Thought

This is the third meeting of six total between the budding rivals for the 09-10 season. This is the second of three games this month between the clubs. The timing of these games is extremely important. Both teams are fighting to get back in to the playoff bubble. The Blues shed their previous coach and are gaining ground. The Blue Jackets have held on to theirs an are gasping for air. The Blues can put Columbus 6 Points behind them and 12 Points behind the 8th sport in the West with a regulation win Monday night.

Will Rick Nash come to the rink looking for more pain? TJ Oshie got him, not once, but twice last season. David Backes got him in the last game. It really is interesting to see how teh Blues have gone after Nash the last two seasons. Nothing really dirty, but they have made it a point to get all over Rick Nash. It seems like if you can shut him down, no one in Columbus can elevate their game to make you pay. At least this season.

Columbus is 12th in the NHL with 31 Fighting Majors, the Blues are 4th with 40. Sparks will fly. Hopefully EJ keeps his gloves on this time (see Backes link above).

In their last five home games Columbus is 2 for 14 on the power play, a weak 14.2%. The Blues road penalty killing has stopped 18 of 20 in the last five away games, a 90% kill rate. Blues overall Road PK% is still #1 overall in the NHL at 88.3% for the season. That’s 11 power play conversions in 94 attempts. The Blues Road power play is sitting at 11th with an 18.3% conversion rate. The Jackets Home kill? It is 15th at 82.4%

Columbus is very similar to the Rangers in terms of penalty minutes per game. They are one spot ahead of the Rangers at a little over 13:30 a game. They do have more fighting majors than the Rangers so some of that penalty time is for fighting. Both teams have 222 minor penalties son the year. Columbus is tiled heavily towards hooks and trips where the Blues are heavy on roughing minors. Basically Columbus likes to be lazy. Get the puck deep and work them over, you’ll get power plays.

One interesting storyline is Ken Hitchcock. Can he afford to lose for the fourth straight time before leaving on a three game road trip? The Jackets GM has said that Hitch is safe, but so did the Blues about Murray. At some point you can’t keep being insane, something has to change. A thrashing by the Blues on their turf? Who knows, might be enough to do it.

Difference Makers:

The Blueline Group

In Payne’s 7 Games with the Blues the defensemen have 4 Goals and 8 Assists. Roman Polak is leading the way with 3 Point sin his last 2 Games. I don’t have concrete numbers for the Murray period, but let’s just say that scoring from defensemen is exponentially increasing. While offensive production is up, defensive responsibility really hasn’t slipped. If the Blues are to contain the talent that is present on the Blue Jackets roster, the defensemen need to be on point once again. Specifically the Jackman-Polak pairing against Nash.

Player Notes:

I’d be willing to bet Chris Mason gets a start with the line ups staying the same. I could see Cam Janssen getting in the game for a little battle support. There is history between the teams.

Who will be in net for Columbus? That’s a good question. Safe bet is that they will give up more goals than Ken Hitchcock wants to give up.

Keys to the Game

1. Go North & Conquer
-  Coach Payne loves to push the play up ice with smart physical play. The Blues can take their new found home forechecking pressure on the road and squeeze Columbus again. Last time that happened the Blues scored 4 to beat Columbus.

2. SSDD
- Nothing has changed from leaving Scottrade Center. The game is the same, keep playing as you have been and the points will come.

3. Shoot the Puck
- The Blues had a meager 24 shots on the Rangers Saturday night. This needs to improve and top 30 once again. Opportunities were passed up to shoot Saturday and that cannot continue (cough, Berglund).

Who to Watch for?

Roman Polak

His physical level of play is through the roof and I'm thinking Rick Nash is on the menu Monday night. Roman has to keep up with Backes. Gotta let those Canadians know that the Czechs won't be pushed around.

David Backes: A True American Hero . . . via nbcolympics.com

With Cam Janssen a healthy scratch for a second game in a row, the chances of a fight between the Blues and New York Rangers diminished quickly.  It eliminated the possibility of Aaron Voros getting his rematch from the drubbing he took from Janssen last February, and it eliminated the possibility of a long-awaited bout between Janssen and Donald Brashear.  All records hold steady going into tonight’s game, and The Note, with 40 fights, have dropped to 4th among NHL teams in number of fights.  But we’re winning, so it’s an even trade-off.  In an unrelated story, Roman Polak is awesome.

You may recall that when the Blues faced the Columbus Blue Jackets last Tuesday, it was quite the violent affair.  There were four bouts, with two draws and one win per side.  Well, neither team has fought since then, so a lot of pent-up aggression may explode into fisticuffs tonight.  Just don’t say you weren’t warned.

We went over Columbus’s fighters and their success (or lack thereof, in their case) on Tuesday, but to recap . . . fight-wise, the Jackets are 6-14-11 on the season.  This is mediocre, if not worse.  And the majority of their fights are generated from winger Jared Boll (6’2″, 210lbs), who after losing to Janssen on Tuesday is 4-5-5 on the season.  Before Tuesday’s game, the only other fight victory (according to Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights) had been from young winger Alexandre Picard (6’2″, 206lbs, 1-0-1 after a draw with BJ Crombeen on Tuesday).  However, Rick Nash was (mistakenly, I believe) given the decision over David Backes in what has been Nash’s only fight on the season thus far.  Most of Columbus’s other fighters this season have either been traded away, been sent to Syracuse or been put on injured reserve.

Since he’s been scratched for two games in a row and the Blues have won both of those games, we cannot expect Janssen to be in the dream matchup this evening.  So instead, I’ll go with a rematch between Nash and Backes or a rematch between Picard and Crombeen.  Take your pick – either one would be a blast to watch and would bring all 13 people that show up to Nationwide Arena tonight to their feet (I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Columbus has been having problems drawing people to their games lately . . . probably because they’re not good this year).  I would surely expect a fight involving Backes . . . if you haven’t noticed, he’s trying to eliminate Team Canada before he gets to Vancouver.  A noble mission, indeed.  Godspeed, David.

The Jackets are coming off back-to-back losses to the Chicago Blackhawks (3-0 @ CHI, 6-5 @ CBJ), so they’re sure to be more than a bit perturbed seeing another division rival in their building.  The Blues are certainly not an easy win anymore, so expect this to be a fun game to watch.  And yes, please do look forward to flying fists this evening . . . I’m in withdrawal here!

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights.

Wade Belak feels the sting of Derek Boogard's monster fist . . . image via si.com

Before we start . . . if you haven’t seen it already, from Puck Daddy via The Riverfront Times, this may be the funniest thing you’ll see all day.  I wouldn’t put this past some of my brethren at St. Louis Game Time.  Absolutely incredibly funny.

On to the report . . . as anticipated, the Blues and Blue Jackets dialed up the truculent behavior Tuesday night, leading to FOUR fights.  Admittedly, one of them wasn’t really a fight, and both guys got kicked out for doing it, but still . . . FOUR fights!  It was enthralling to say the least.  BJ Crombeen worked a draw with Alexandre Picard to bring him to 6-4-2, Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights voters say Rick Nash defeated David Backes (which I do not agree with . . . the linesman stepped in and basically let Nash have a free run at Backes when they should have let them both go) to drop him to 2-2-0, Erik Johnson’s first-ever NHL fight earned him a game misconduct and a draw with Mike Commodore to start his record at 0-0-1, and Cam Janssen earned a victory over Jared Boll in the one PREDICTED fight of the evening sending Cam up to 7-1-2.  Additionally, the Blues have shot up to a tie for 3rd in team fight leaders with 40, with only the Calgary Flames (49) and the Philadelphia Flyers (42) ahead of them and the Anaheim Ducks even with them.  The attitude adjustment is in full effect, and when you’re fighting for every inch, gloves are sure to be dropped.  It’s a welcome change!

The Minnesota Wild are on the lower end of the NHL list of fighting teams, shedding the gloves a total of 22 times on the season thus far.  However, three of those fights came last night against a division rival and one of the “punchiest” teams in the league, the Vancouver Canucks.  Minnesota went 1-1-1 in those fights.  Also, the Wild’s overall 10-7-5 record in fights on the season suggests a team that is wise in picking its targets, and one of the eight fighters the Wild have had this year has four of those seven losses.  However, they may not get to use their smarts to their advantage against a Blues team that has cranked up the physicality in the last two weeks.  It will be interesting to see what plays out.

The Blues and Wild have fought once this season – Crombeen was able to subdue Nathan Smith at a home contest on October 23rd.  This was one of only two fights for Smith on the season, the other being a draw.  Since then, Smith has been sent down to Minnesota’s AHL affiliate, the Houston Aeros.  Mind you, Smith is a former 1st round pick.  Bust?  Yeah, you could say that.

If the Wild want a fight, they want it to come from either winger Derek Boogaard (6’8″, 257lbs) or defenseman John Scott (6’8″, 258lbs), both absolutely massive human beings.  Boogaard is a noted NHL brawler, and his 4-0-2 record on the season is hard not to be impressed with.  However, Scott has done just about as well at 4-0-1.  The only other Minnesota player with more than two fights is defenseman Shane Hnidy (6’2″, 204lbs), who is an ugly 0-4-0 on the season.  Young defenseman Clayton Stoner (6’4″, 212lbs) would be another fighter to look out for as he’s 1-0-1 in only eight games played, but he’s listed as day-to-day and probably won’t play tonight.

Unfortunately, the Wild do not have any members of Team Canada on their squad, so don’t look for a scrap from Backes.  So the dream matchup of the evening would be either Janssen or Crombeen taking on Hnidy.  If so, let’s hope the “due factor” doesn’t come into play.  If the Blues MUST fight Boogaard or Scott, hopefully it’ll either be Janssen – not afraid of anyone – or someone who at least comes close to matching up size-wise, such as Brad Winchester (who even then STILL gives three inches and nearly 30 pounds to both of them).

Can the Blues win two games in a row?  If they play the same physical style that helped them to a win Tuesday night, then there’s no doubt it CAN happen.  Let’s get it done!

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights.

Credit the Blues for coming out with a lot of energy and jump to their game. Columbus knew it was coming and planned for it, but still couldn’t withstand the pressure. Once again the Blues were moving quickly in all three zones allowing them to get behind the defense. They won the board battles and controlled the period.

The turning point in the game came in the first period. I know, turning point that early? Really?

I say yes and it was the goal by Alex Steen. The Blues were buzzing all period but had failed to add another goal on Mathieu Garon. The Blues had power play chances (largely squandered, especially the first power play) earlier in the period but failed to score. Columbus was sticking around like a road team tries to. The Blues found a way to get get the next goal. That goal would later prove to be the game winner. That goal allowed the Blues to continue to ramp up the early pressure and finish the first off. BJ Crombeen opened up the scoring in the first with a nice rebound goal. While Jay McClement capped off the scoring with a nice rebound tally. Its nice to see the Blues establishing themselves well in the first period in three of their last four games.

Columbus came back in the second, which was expected. Teams who get run all over in the opening period usually come out flying. You can bet Hitchcock had some choice words for his Blue Jackets and they came out hard. A bad slash by Roman Polak (who also had a bad interference to end the first) and a poor “hook” on TJ Oshie lead to an extended power play chances. Sadly Columbus scored during Polak’s slashing call. Haven’t we seen enough of Fedor Tyutin (and Columbus in general) scoring up high on Mason from his right side. Its like a nightly traditional for Columbus blue liners. Fortunately the Blues survive the push and came back to take over the last five or six minutes of the period. They did not add another goal in the second, but they did take the game back over. Their speed improved in transition and they were able to get the upper hand on the boards again.

The third was going to be huge. So many collapses this year, in the 3rd period, at home, with a sizable lead. The Blues did not regress, lose their proactive play, or stop playing for the next goal. They pushed the tempo and matched Columbus. Guess what happened? The Blues held on to win. My only real big thought on the third was the officiating. Keith Tkachuk is called for “interference” on Jared Boll. I think that Boll could have been called for a dive there. None the less, Blues kill the penalty. Later in the period Tkachuk is wrapped up in the corner and taken down. Mind you the defenders stick is parallel to the ice and his left hand is off the stick holding on to Walt. In the post lock out game, that is a hook, a hold, interference…some sort of call. Hell, Oshie was called for less of a hook in the second. The ref, three feet away, “saw nothing”.

I will give Columbus credit for ringing and answering the bell physically all night. Nothing really dity, just a good hard-nosed slugfest. Fight wise?
Janssen > Boll
Backes < Nash – I only give this to him for landing more hits before it was broken up. Antoinette Vermette grabbed Backes right arm as the fight started, allowing Nash freebe’s for a while.

Erik Johnson vs Mike Commodore – Really? Was this even a fight? Erik Johnson needs to show the presence of mind to keep his gloves on and not throw punches.  Being physical on the boards is his style. Fighting is something he need not engage in. Either way both players were tossed for being the “second fight”. Oh man, makes me miss the good ole days. Just let them go if they are going to go.

Player Thoughts

Patrik Berglund – Finally seems to be finding himself this season. Multiple games where he is doing the dirty work. It is going to pay off for him.

David Perron – Keeps showing the skills and is showing more ability to take the body and pucks to the net.

Brad Winchester – Andy Strickland talked about this on Hockeybuzz, but he seems to be liberated and is really showing a side of his play we haven’t seen since last spring. Wonderful job taking the body, protecting the puck. He was in a perfect place to screen Garon on the Steen power play goal.

Jay McClement – I hope he finds a way to transcend the “shut down center role”. A Goal and 2 Assists tonight certainly help. His game seems to be excelling on both sides of the ice under Payne. His hockey sense is leading to smart plays to the wingers around him, which is leading to points.

Alex Steen – Found a home on the power play point? Sure looks like it. The rest of his game is in order and adding a power play knack is huge bonus to this team with Johnson struggling of late. He is playing himself in to a nice contract extension from the Blues.

David Backes – While his goal scoring is down, the rest of his game is up. He was a physical beast all over the ice. As the Blues get healthy again, Backes will get going again.

Paul Kariya & Keith Tkachuk – Both were serviceable in their return to their line up.

Roman Polak – Solid game. Had two bad penalties, but still came back with multiple solid plays to keep plays moving or to slow down offensive pressure.

Barrett Jackman  – Warrior in the true sense of the word.

Eric Brewer – Where are my haters at? Yea, that’s what I thought. Showing a little physical edge and playing well.

Chris Mason – Stopped 26 of 27 shots to get the “W”. Solid game, made the save’s he needed to.

I love the job the Blues have done shutting down Rick Nash. They get in his face and are all over him the whole game. Denying him space really hampers his game. For a bigger guy you would think he could break out stronger around the Blues defenders, he just doesn’t seem to. While he has averaged a point a game against the Blues ov er the last three seasons, his impacts seem to be marginalized, at leas tin the last two seasons.

Mathieu Garon allowed 3 Goals on 9 Shots in the first period. From how good he was playing, to tonight’s performance should be a concern for Jackets fans. If he is going to falter while Steve Mason is questionable? Not a question they want to answer. Mason did look sharp in his two periods of work releiving Garon though.

The win (and 2 points) draws the Blues even with Columbus at 45 points. Which puts both teams at 8 points behind the struggling LA Kings in 8th place. A sweep of points in this homestand and two LA losses could have the Blues as close as two points back of the 8th spot. Maybe another big run isnt likely, but starting a run in January instead of February could mean  it’s easier to get back in the hunt.

Next up for the Blues is the Minnesota Wild lead by Guillaume Latendresse and his 10 Goals and 15 points in 21 games with the Wild.  Minnesota is only 4 points ahead of the Blues in the standings. Closing that gap to two points is essential on home ice.

Blues Player of the Game

Chris Mason

Mason stopped 26 of 27 shots, leading the Blues to a 4-1 victory. The first home win in nearly a month.