Tarasenko isn't Effin scary good and Yeo needs to strategize big time for him when he's on the ice.
- MnGump

That guy is just awesome. I love how he always tries to cut to the middle instead of going outside when he has the puck coming over the bluleline. Dangerous dangerous player.

I'm a little concerned that Yeo is going to put Vanek-Coyle-Niederreiter together as a third line. I thought they showed some chemistry yesterday but I think that was more due to the Blues not giving full effort. Even though Cooke-Brodziak-Fontaine has been an effective line in the past, I'm not sure Fontaine is going to be all that useful in that combination against a team like St. Louis.

I'm just not sure what guys should be in and what guys should be out. It sounds like Cooke is being favored to play and I've seen it written that Fontaine is going to be in. But if Fontaine doesn't play with Vanek I wonder if he would sit in favor of Carter. At least maybe on the road. Maybe for home games the lineup switches a bit where Yeo can get better matchups for smaller, speed guys like Fontaine and/or Schroeder.

I just think to beat a team like St. Louis, the Wild are going to have to have the top two lines play the Blues' top two lines to a draw and try to win the 3rd/4th line matchups.

That guy is just awesome. I love how he always tries to cut to the middle instead of going outside when he has the puck coming over the bluleline. Dangerous dangerous player.

I'm a little concerned that Yeo is going to put Vanek-Coyle-Niederreiter together as a third line. I thought they showed some chemistry yesterday but I think that was more due to the Blues not giving full effort. Even though Cooke-Brodziak-Fontaine has been an effective line in the past, I'm not sure Fontaine is going to be all that useful in that combination against a team like St. Louis.

I'm just not sure what guys should be in and what guys should be out. It sounds like Cooke is being favored to play and I've seen it written that Fontaine is going to be in. But if Fontaine doesn't play with Vanek I wonder if he would sit in favor of Carter. At least maybe on the road. Maybe for home games the lineup switches a bit where Yeo can get better matchups for smaller, speed guys like Fontaine and/or Schroeder.

I just think to beat a team like St. Louis, the Wild are going to have to have the top two lines play the Blues' top two lines to a draw and try to win the 3rd/4th line matchups.
- Chinaski

Agreed. I like Carters physical game but he hasn't looked like the same player from the first half of the season since returning from injury.

Fontaine can pretty much play on any line IMO, but I think he's better off on a line with Vanek. Schroeder hasn't shown much in the way of effectiveness since about the half way point of March. Not sure he's at all a good fit against a team like St.Louis.

Russo retweeted this from Jeremy Rutherford:

Jeremy Rutherford ‏@jprutherford 56m56 minutes ago
My guess at the #stlblues lineup for Game 1:
Schwartz-Stastny-Oshie
Steen-Lehtera-Tarasenko
Jaskin-Backes-Berglund
Ott-Goc-Reaves

That's great balance in the top three lines.

Russo retweeted this from Jeremy Rutherford:

Jeremy Rutherford ‏@jprutherford 56m56 minutes ago
My guess at the #stlblues lineup for Game 1:
Schwartz-Stastny-Oshie
Steen-Lehtera-Tarasenko
Jaskin-Backes-Berglund
Ott-Goc-Reaves

That's great balance in the top three lines.
- Chinaski

Yeah we really have been loaded with out top 9 when we are healthy.

Yeah we really have been loaded with out top 9 when we are healthy.
- Yeah Boyes

If those are the lines it will be interesting to see what the matchups will be. Will Hitchcock look to play the Backes line in a checking role against Koivu or Parise's line, maybe put that top line (Statsny) against the Coyle/Vanek line? There could be some mismatches there for the Blues to exploit. But it may cause Yeo to shuffle things around a bit.

I'm curious to see who Yeo puts in the lineup, who he pairs together, and if it gets shuffled during the game. Injuries aside, I think we could also see 2-3 guys in and out of the lineup for the Wild depending on home/away games and how effective some of these guys are. I'm just not sure the Wild have 12 forwards that can withstand a long series against the size and physicality of the Blues. Maybe their depth allows them to swap a few in and out and keep the Blues guessing.

If those are the lines it will be interesting to see what the matchups will be. Will Hitchcock look to play the Backes line in a checking role against Koivu or Parise's line, maybe put that top line (Statsny) against the Coyle/Vanek line? There could be some mismatches there for the Blues to exploit. But it may cause Yeo to shuffle things around a bit.

I'm curious to see who Yeo puts in the lineup, who he pairs together, and if it gets shuffled during the game. Injuries aside, I think we could also see 2-3 guys in and out of the lineup for the Wild depending on home/away games and how effective some of these guys are. I'm just not sure the Wild have 12 forwards that can withstand a long series against the size and physicality of the Blues. Maybe their depth allows them to swap a few in and out and keep the Blues guessing.
- Chinaski

Hitchcock changes lines a lot, during and between games, so you shouldn't be surprised if you see him go back to Steen-Oshie-Backes at any point during the series. That has been their 'shutdown' line in the past, but Backes played well with Berglund and Jaskin and Stastny well with Schwartz and Oshie when the Blues had a couple of injuries late. They clicked well enough to at least get a look.

If those are the lines it will be interesting to see what the matchups will be. Will Hitchcock look to play the Backes line in a checking role against Koivu or Parise's line, maybe put that top line (Statsny) against the Coyle/Vanek line? There could be some mismatches there for the Blues to exploit. But it may cause Yeo to shuffle things around a bit.

I'm curious to see who Yeo puts in the lineup, who he pairs together, and if it gets shuffled during the game. Injuries aside, I think we could also see 2-3 guys in and out of the lineup for the Wild depending on home/away games and how effective some of these guys are. I'm just not sure the Wild have 12 forwards that can withstand a long series against the size and physicality of the Blues. Maybe their depth allows them to swap a few in and out and keep the Blues guessing.
- Chinaski

My guess is Blues match up Berglund/Backes/Jaskin with the Parise line, possibly switching in Ott for Jaskin in the third if we have a lead. Big bodies to wear them down, strong possession game to prevent them creating too many chances. If that matchup works in Blues favor, I don't think Hitch will worry about the matchups after that, he will just roll the other lines and keep Backes ready to go whenever Parise comes out.

From Russo a couple of days ago:

Forward lines
Jason Zucker-Mikko Koivu-Chris Stewart
Zach Parise-Mikael Granlund-Jason Pominville
Thomas Vanek-Charlie Coyle-Nino Niederreiter
Matt Cooke-Kyle Brodziak-Justin Fontaine

We know Carter drew into Cooke's spot on the fourth line in yesterday's practice.

I'm a little disappointed to see this. I've heard talk from the Wild that they will need to counter the physical game St. Louis brings with speed. But from what I see here, I think they've neutralized their own speed a bit with these line combinations and with who is sitting. And let's face it, the Wild never really had a significant speed advantage over the Blues to begin with, if any at all.

That fourth line will need to play more of a pure checking role and I would say that whatever line Tarasenko is on is the one they need to check. But on the road, I'm not sure Yeo is going to have the opportunity to consistently get that matchup, especially with our deficiencies in the face-off circle.

I think I'd rather see Niederreiter reunited with Koivu/Stewart, Fontaine moved to Vanek's line, and play Haula and Zucker together with Brodziak. That does create more of a size/physicality mismatch if the listed fourth lines matchup, but that is the one spot where I could see the Wild's speed being able to have an advantage.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see how Yeo rolls it out and what adjustments are made in-game. It's still a capable set of forward lines but given a full, healthy roster, I think it could be better.

so is cooke being out a good or bad thing for both teams?

so is cooke being out a good or bad thing for both teams?
- stljam

It's a good thing for the whole league. I'll admit bias on this topic.

It's a good thing for the whole league. I'll admit bias on this topic.
- Chinaski

Quick pick - Matt Cooke or John Scott?

Quick pick - Matt Cooke or John Scott?
- stljam

Cooke at the very least has some tangible skill for the game. Scott on the other hand is a complete goon that learned how to ice skate.

Quick pick - Matt Cooke or John Scott?
- stljam

Scott. I won't deny that Cooke can play the game. I just can't have respect for a guy that was a complete donkey for almost his whole career when he never needed to do that sh!t to keep himself in the game and then suddenly tries to reform himself when he's basically told no team is interested in employing him whilst being said donkey. I just think he's always lacked respect for other players. So, I don't like him, never will. Still can't clap my hands for him during intros or goals/assists. Only when Shea Weber was punching him in the face.

Scott. I won't deny that Cooke can play the game. I just can't have respect for a guy that was a complete donkey for almost his whole career when he never needed to do that sh!t to keep himself in the game and then suddenly tries to reform himself when he's basically told no team is interested in employing him whilst being said donkey. I just think he's always lacked respect for other players. So, I don't like him, never will. Still can't clap my hands for him during intros or goals/assists. Only when Shea Weber was punching him in the face.
- Chinaski

You are bias the answer is never Scott over Cooke. Skill wise there is zero comparison. Cooke has certainly worse history but he has played more games and more minutes because he contributes to the hockey game where as Scott is full goon no hockey.

Scott. I won't deny that Cooke can play the game. I just can't have respect for a guy that was a complete donkey for almost his whole career when he never needed to do that sh!t to keep himself in the game and then suddenly tries to reform himself when he's basically told no team is interested in employing him whilst being said donkey. I just think he's always lacked respect for other players. So, I don't like him, never will. Still can't clap my hands for him during intros or goals/assists. Only when Shea Weber was punching him in the face.
- Chinaski

Well you can dislike him all you want and I for one don't hold that against you or anyone else. But like him or not, he's eons more valuable than a John Scott would be to this team especially seeing as how he's won a cup.

Cookes playoff experience is big on this team, can't avoid that fact just because he's spent a good portion of his career being a complete jackass.

Just sayin, he's here now, let the guy earn his money... at least until he's not here anymore.

Well you can dislike him all you want and I for one don't hold that against you or anyone else. But like him or not, he's eons more valuable than a John Scott would be to this team especially seeing as how he's won a cup.

Cookes playoff experience is big on this team, can't avoid that fact just because he's spent a good portion of his career being a complete jackass.

Just sayin, he's here now, let the guy earn his money... at least until he's not here anymore.
- MnGump

All valid points. And I don't ever remember trying to argue against stuff like that.

I've never criticized him for being useless as a player and only having the ability to take cheap shots. The fact that he has the abilities that he does and still chose to be a dirty player for so many years is what really rubs me the wrong way. He actually seemed to enjoy playing that role.

You guys know I hate him and I just like to keep it fresh in everyone's mind. Annoying? Yes. But it's my little way of trying to cope with the (frank)er being on my favorite team.

Injuries this year have seriously limited his playing time and effectiveness anyway. I'm not even sure he's a good option at this point because he can't really play an impactful role. He's always been a good skater - good speed - and could withstand a physical series. But I'm not sure he's even got that at this point with these injuries.

Sounds like Bergenheim is in tonight. So maybe Bergenhiem-Brodziak-Fontaine on the 4th line?

Sounds like Bergenheim is in tonight. So maybe Bergenhiem-Brodziak-Fontaine on the 4th line?
- Chinaski

Yeah, I don't necessarily mind it, but if he stinks tonight, he better be done for this post season unless theres an injury.

In other words I'm hoping Yeo has a short leash on him. He's got nice post season numbers but they don't mean squat to this squad if he can't produce with the players he's out there with.

Thought maybe T would have an opening game blog up...

Yeah, I don't necessarily mind it, but if he stinks tonight, he better be done for this post season unless theres an injury.

In other words I'm hoping Yeo has a short leash on him. He's got nice post season numbers but they don't mean squat to this squad if he can't produce with the players he's out there with.
- MnGump

Yeah, I hope Yeo is quick to switch things up if it's not working. I just don't see how Bergenheim-Brodziak-Fontaine is using your depth wisely. To me, Fontaine needs to play with Vanek for both to be most effective. Splitting them up could really just render the bottom two lines useless. And since they probably played their best with Coyle, I'd rather see that line stay together.

I also think it may be better to try to work Zucker onto the fourth line. And maybe even do it with a more offensive winger, maybe Niederreiter. Of all the lines the Blues have, the fourth is the only one with enough weakness to really exploit. But the Wild need the right matchup to do it.

Thought maybe T would have an opening game blog up...
- MnGump

I heard PK Subban slashed him in the wrist last night. New blogs are in question for the remainder of the series.

Yeah, I hope Yeo is quick to switch things up if it's not working. I just don't see how Bergenheim-Brodziak-Fontaine is using your depth wisely. To me, Fontaine needs to play with Vanek for both to be most effective. Splitting them up could really just render the bottom two lines useless. And since they probably played their best with Coyle, I'd rather see that line stay together.

I also think it may be better to try to work Zucker onto the fourth line. And maybe even do it with a more offensive winger, maybe Niederreiter. Of all the lines the Blues have, the fourth is the only one with enough weakness to really exploit. But the Wild need the right matchup to do it.
- Chinaski

Yeah, not a bad idea, but I think you know Yeo wants his top guys together. Makes sense, but also easy enough for Hitch to counter with the depth he has.

I heard PK Subban slashed him in the wrist last night. New blogs are in question for the remainder of the series.
- Chinaski

Sens fans and coach calling for his suspension! It was egregious but I think he was aptly punished with 5 and a match.

Sens fans and coach calling for his suspension! It was egregious but I think he was aptly punished with 5 and a match.
- MnGump

Did you hear his interview? Basically said suspend him or when we do it to one of their players only give our guy 5 and a match.

keeping waiting for the fine announcement for his comment

Yeah, not a bad idea, but I think you know Yeo wants his top guys together. Makes sense, but also easy enough for Hitch to counter with the depth he has.
- MnGump

Yeo and Hitch both change lines more than katy perry changes dresses, no?