Game 1 of Round 1 – Who Starts in Goal?
Going by the numbers it would appear that a difficult decision awaits the Blues coaching staff in whom to put in net when the playoffs begin. All Star Brian Elliott saved the season with his hot start and Jaroslav Halak has rediscovered his Montreal era form. The pair each have GAAs below 1.90 ( 1.63 and 1.86), a save percentages above .920 (.937 and .926) and a combined 12 shutouts.
But hockey isn’t all about numbers. The most astute minds know it’s about what you see and feel as well.
Those who watch the Blues consistently know what they’ve seen. Elliott has remained consistent, but Halak has gradually taken back his share of starts that were lost with his early slump. Regaining confidence lost due to a loose team in front of him and the tragic passing of countrymen Pavol Demitra. With support and closure he was able to feel the light switch. Since it’s been flipped there has been arguably no better puck stopper than him.
The November question of “who is the number one” has a March answer, Halak. Game one, he’s in goal.
TJ Oshie Has Arrived
To say TJ Oshie faced adversity last season is an understatement. The broken ankle caused in a meaningless scrum derailed his solid start. Alleged off ice issues and missing a practice which earned him an internally mandated suspension. Growing up from a college boy in to a professional is not an easy task for anyone. Let alone a professional athlete.
Doug Armstrong challenged Oshie to make that task his top priority last summer with one of his now trademark “prove me” contracts. One year at a hair over $2 million to define who he is as a player and a member of the St. Louis Blues organization.
The North Dakota standout has done just that. Maintaining a consistent work ethic and pushing himself to elevate standards. Largely disappeared the concerns have.
From a statistical stand point, he’s having his best campaign yet. Second in goals scored (17) and tied for the team lead in points (47 in 66 games). Putting him on pace for 57 points and his first 20 goal season. Offensive isn’t all Oshie is known for though. His defensive game has fallen directly in line with Ken Hitchcock’s philosophies. He is second among Blues forwards with 36 blocks, leads with 53 takeaways and is a +41 in the give/takeaway ratio department.
Stand back and ponder that transformation for a moment. He’s become a reliable two-way forward who can score 20 goals and score 60 points. All the magic number boxes fans highlighted when describing his future in August 2008 have been checked. What’s scary, there is still room to grow.
Backes for Selke?
It’s around this time every season that the chatter around who deserves to be considered for the NHL’s personal hardware picks up. Hitchcock is an easy target for the Jack Adams debate and as good as Alex Pietrangelo has been, he hasn’t really earned his place in the Norris talk yet.
Then there is David Backes. The sixth year pro has continually adapted and improved his playstyle in both ends of the rink. At one time he was known only as a punishing hitter who specialized in forechecking from the wing. Over the last four seasons he has transformed in to a do it all centerman. His 31 goal, 62 point, and Plus-32 2010-11 season on a team that struggled to keep the puck out of the net earned national recognition and lifted his name in to the Selke discussion.
What are his credentials for staking a claim this season?
His holds the role of first line center on the NHL’s top defensive club which puts him up against the best players in the league. Backes has played a major role in holding the likes of the Sedin twins to a total one goal and three assists in four games. The most recent example of his containment capabilities would be his handling of Ryan Getzlaf’s line Thursday night.
As much as the defensemen and the goaltending have been key contributors to the stingy goals against figures, Backes’ control of the middle of the ice has been as well.
Among forwards who average over 20 minutes ATOI, no one has a higher Plus/Minus. He is tied with fellow US Olympian Ryan Kesler at Plus-18. No other forward averages more shifts per game, 29.1, than Backes.
He is not high in the takeaway rankings with only 46, but has an above average give/takeaway ratio, +29.
One important area in which all pivots are judged is their proficiency on the draw. Here is where the inglorious claim loses it’s strength. Simply put, a sub 50% success rate in the current era of the NHL is not good enough to earn the award. Too high a premium is placed on puck control and it all starts with winning faceoffs. Backes is at 47%. He’s generally struggled with that when Andy McDonald was put on his line recently he took the draws, not Backes.
Till this area of his game improves, he’ll be mentioned, but not win. Doubt he cares as long as the Blues keep on rolling.
Riverrants
For those Blues fans not paying attention to the Peoria Rivermen, it's a good time to start. They're locked in another battle for the playoffs and the games are intense. Tuesday night they knocked off the Western Conference leading Oklahoma City Barons in OT by overcoming a 3-0 deficit with 4 unanswered goals. Recently acquired forward Patrick O'Sullivan had the game winner.
Speaking of O'Sullivan word is some Rivermen fans have voiced their displeasure about the deal that brought him to the team. On March 3rd Portland sent O'Sullivan to Peoria in exchange for forward Brett Sterling. The swap was a not a true trade, but a loan. Their respective NHL affiliations, Phoenix and St. Louis, remain intact. All that changed was their home in the AHL.
Frustration is understandable. Sterling was the leading scorer in the lineup with TJ Hensick spending his nights in the press box. He is an upstanding guy and a positive influence in the lockerroom. Losing him after Ben Bishop was sent to Ottawa a few days before sent a message interpreted negatively.
But hockey is a business even at the AHL level. A deeper review uncovers the positive outcome.
Had the Doug Armstrong and Don Maloney traded the NHL contracts the Blues would have had O'Sullivan and not Sterling to recall. If O'Sullivan was recalled the Rivermen lose depth that's desperately needed to sneak in to the post season. With the loan Sterling can still be recalled by the Blues and the Rivermen keep their current complement of players. O'Sullivan is as prolific a scorer in the minors as Sterling is. Skill for skill, there the net change is basically zero.
It’s a win-win for all involved.
Mailbag
@justinbbradford: Who will be the stronger team: the West's 3rd seed or the 6th seed it will play?
As of today that would be Dallas getting home ice over Chicago. Considering it took a 4 game winning streak and a middling run by the Hawks for the Stars to pull even with them at 79 points, the 6th seed will likely be the stronger team. That dynamic holds true if Nashville slips and Chicago rises.
@jennybuehler the real reasons why Jason Arnott is so handsome...?
It’s all about the guns. That guy has some arms.
@JeffWear Blues line up with guys coming back. Who's in, who's out?
On defense Ian Cole and Kent Huskins will rotate out with Kris Russell’s return. Matt D’Agostini will bump out either BJ Crombeen or Ryan Reaves. My money would be on Reaves. If Alex Steen comes back this season, Chris Porter will be the causality.
@GRZimmer14STLB How guys will fill in/contribute no matter who goes out with an injury?
Everyone is stepping up. Hitchcock mentality.
In all honesty I think you answered your own question. It’s all about the plug and play with Hitchcock. There are roles to fill, just insert someone and they’ll get it done.
@Medicbluesfan09 Blues make it to the SCF and face the Rangers. Ur odds on it happening and can we hang with them?
Considering the Blues beat them 4-1 in December they can hang with them. The question is, would they be able to put enough pucks past Hank.
Thanks for reading.
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