Sharks vs Blues First Round Preview: What You Need to Know & Watch For
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Submitted for your approval are today's collection of St. Louis Blues Playoff News, Notes, & Thoughts for Wednesday, April 11th.
The question on everyone's mind today is who will Ken Hitchcock name the game one starter? Who took the ice for practice should have been taken as an indication. Jaroslav Halak and Jake Allen participated, but Brian Elliott did not. All jokes about Allen making his NHL debut aside,
the conclusion that Halak would be tapped has been confirmed.
Hitchcock also told reporters that he is hopeful that Elliott will be available for back up services tomorrow.
No need for concern, yet. One of the many positives about the Blues goaltending tandem situation is that if one rock solid option is not available, the other most likely is. If Elliott were to miss an extended period of time due to an injury and Halak continued performing as he has been and as he showed capable of in Montreal, there is no need to worry. Reach for the panic button if Halak were to break down and not carry his own weight.
In other lineup news,
Hitchcock confirmed that Kris Russell and Kent Huskins will play. Carlo Colaiacovo will not. The cheers are audible all over town from a subset of Blues fans. There truly is much to like about Colaiacovo as a player and a person, but his lack of execution under the ever increasing fire of late March and early April games is not one of them. It cost him at least a game or two watching from upstairs.
- Today's Must See Video:
Hitchcock discusses his selection of Halak as starting goaltender.
- Yesterday's Question of the Day was: Which Blues player can the afford to lose to injury the least in the playoffs?
Praise has rained down and future hopes pinned on the Blues defensive excellence. Cleary the goaltenders and defenseman play a key role in attaining the league's lowest GAA (1.89) and shots/game against (26.7). But the lynch pin of the whole scheme that has produced these gaudy results are the forwards. It's their positioning and back checking prowess that allows the blueliners to close gaps and allow the netminder to see shots from the outside. When the attention to detail in those areas slip break downs occur and pucks go in the net.
The play of the forwards have largely determined outcomes. There is little reason to believe that will change.
Who has been the best defensive forward? Who has logged the highest volume of critical minutes among frontliners? David Backes.
Besides the obvious needs in his own end he is also the Blues leading scorer in terms of goals (24) and points (54). The returns of David Perron, Alex Steen and Andy McDonald as well as the growth of TJ Oshie and Patrik Berglund are important to note, but they still play supporting roles to Backes in the offensive zone.
The Blues cannot afford to lose their captain.
Question of the Day for Wednesday: If one Blues player "comes out of no where" to be difference maker in the series, who will it be?
- Share you thoughts in the comments and I'll share mine tomorrow.
How the Blues Will Win in Three Sentences or Less
- Doug Armstrong and Ken Hitchcock have built a team around end to end commitment and execution. Absorbing volleys of high energy punishment from a more experienced opponent and responding appropriately is critical. Five working as one will equal wins.
How the Sharks Will Win in Three Sentences or Less
- Having been around the block a time or two counts more than every in the playoffs. Without being there players just don't know just how intense the pace will be. Ratcheting up the pressure, especially on the Blues defensemen, will lead to opportunities they must finish to progress.
- For those looking for pregame alternatives to the events at Scottrade starting at 4:00pm, head down to Washington & 14th Street at 3:00pm for the Blues Playoff Rally and Block Party presented by the Blues and various corporate sponsors. Many of the Fox Sports Mid West and KMOX media personalities will be in attendance as well as alumni. There will also be fun stuff to occupy your kids while adults enjoy music, food, and drinks. Louie will lead a procession up to Scottrade at 5:00pm.
For more info check out the
Downtown St. Louis Facebook Page.
- Remember the watch parties the Pittsburgh Penguins held outside the arena for fans who couldn't make it in to watch the game on a BIG screen? The
Blues are hooking up with Wehrenberg Theatres to do something similar and show Games 1 through 4 at Ronnies 20 (5320 South Lindbergh Boulevard) and St. Charles 18 (1830 South First Capitol Drive). Admission is free and the gluttonous food and drink deals are a steal. Hit the link for more info.
- In today's suggested extra reading, head over to
for Ray Ratto's thoughts on what the Sharks must do better to beat the Blues.
- I also suggest reading
Nick Costonika's Playoff Power Rankings piece over on Yahoo.
- Don't forget to check out
Ek's thoughts on the series. Not a fan of his prediction though.
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Thank for reading.
As always, you're welcome to follow me on Twitter:
@JTQ_1
St Louis Blues Blogger • 
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