Randall Ritchey: Steve Ott Scores In OT Loss The Blues had the game all but wrapped up, but a failed clearing attempt by Jay Bouwmeester results in a goal for the Sharks, who would eventually win in overtime.

Steve Ott did score his first Blues goal in tonight's loss, breaking a 58 game goalless drought.

Pietrangelo is having a rough year so far, YES. Do we trade him?? NO

Oshie? No
Berglund? Maybe

our offense has to back check as well as they have had in the past. Our defense needs to keep playing hard and take chances and goals will be scored when that happens. We should have 4 points and the opponent 0 in the last few games but it is what it is. What do we do? glad i am not a coach. Our pk sucked against LA. Hitch needed to take a time out and he did not in that game. Tonight Steen made a terrible play and cost us a penalty. He needs to stop doing this as the last man back. He had to take that penalty.

When we lose this year in the playoffs, if that is the case, then look for player moves. We have time to find cap room and i think it starts with Ott, Lappy, and maybe Berglund (he has played a lot better recently) cap space is where it is and we need room to sign/resign 3 players this offseason and the cap does go up.

Randall Ritchey: Steve Ott Scores In OT Loss
The Blues had the game all but wrapped up, but a failed clearing attempt by Jay Bouwmeester results in a goal for the Sharks, who would eventually win in overtime.

Steve Ott did score his first Blues goal in tonight's loss, breaking a 58 game goalless drought.
- Randall_Ritchey

the game said a 55 game goal drought?

the game said a 55 game goal drought?
- BluesDroogie

also a terrible play by steen at the offensive blue line resulting in a penalty being taken. don't blame it solely on bouwmeester

Has Pietrangelo been playing that badly or is he just going through a rough stretch? I did not see this coming.

Has Pietrangelo been playing that badly or is he just going through a rough stretch? I did not see this coming.
- kingcong39

He's played poorly most of the season. The offense is there, but his defense has been atrocious most of the year.

The Blues have a bad habit of seeming to slack off in the final minute of each period. It seems like teams ALWAYS have sustained pressure during this time and it feels to me like the Blues give up a ton of bad, really late goals.

Oh well, congrats to Otter. Nice shot.

He's played poorly most of the season. The offense is there, but his defense has been atrocious most of the year.
- Randall_Ritchey

You are incorrect sir. He has not been terrible.

The problem lies in backing in and the way the team often likes to hang back in games. Where the Blues successful? When they attack.

The backchecking is not there as good plus the D rarely stand up at the blue line.

But this one I am going with Allen not tightening it up at the end. He was no more near the last goal. The second goal was weak as well. He was great other than that.

Blown coverage on the second goal but is that Petro's man in the slot? No. That is the winger's man. But the Blues are trying to be too cute and often have the winger at the end of the game cheating.

Plus you have to bare down and score the empty net goal when you get into the offensive zone.

There is a gap issue. The team relies on great passing from their D but often they stretch too far and do not give good puck support for easier passes.


Btw Lindstrom looked great with Backes and Oshie. Jaskin has earned an NHL spot. Holy crap Ott scored. Reaves was chasing the play most of the night being ineffective. Lappy was not bad so a better showing from the fourth line.

Too many good scoring chances missed.

For instance a great passing play in the third and Petro has the puck and Neimi over plays the short side he tries to pick the short side corner and misses the net. He has players going to the net and the Sharks over loaded on the strong side. Why is the Blues in this situation refuse to take a low shot or a blocker high shot to the far side? Here a lot can happen, to include the opposing Dmen knocking the puck in themselves from their momentum.

Oshie missed the net and too many times these guys have trouble picking the corner. If you are going to miss make the goalie make a save.

You in no trade a great young player who makes a lot of plays in his end under pressure and makes a quick pass catching one or two of the opposition deep in his zone.

We have three lines going and the fourht line has been active offensively and we could only score two goals against a Sharks team that is not all that strong defensively imo. A lot of open ice in the slot area and not one goal scored or created from that area. That is what would concern me about that game.

The biggest problem right now is the penalty kill. But against one of the best power plays out there a four on three is almost certain death. Really it is up to the goaltender to stand on his head if you have a chance. Then again why would you over commit when they have the puck at the point. If they want to move the puck to the outside you let them. You clear the lanes and stop trying to have the D block the puck in front of your goalie.

Has Pietrangelo been playing that badly or is he just going through a rough stretch? I did not see this coming.
- kingcong39

He is not playing as poorly as some people think.

Pietrangelo is having a rough year so far, YES. Do we trade him?? NO

Oshie? No
Berglund? Maybe

our offense has to back check as well as they have had in the past. Our defense needs to keep playing hard and take chances and goals will be scored when that happens. We should have 4 points and the opponent 0 in the last few games but it is what it is. What do we do? glad i am not a coach. Our pk sucked against LA. Hitch needed to take a time out and he did not in that game. Tonight Steen made a terrible play and cost us a penalty. He needs to stop doing this as the last man back. He had to take that penalty.

When we lose this year in the playoffs, if that is the case, then look for player moves. We have time to find cap room and i think it starts with Ott, Lappy, and maybe Berglund (he has played a lot better recently) cap space is where it is and we need room to sign/resign 3 players this offseason and the cap does go up.
- BluesDroogie

If they fail to get to the third round you will get cap space.

Great defense, fans complain about the offense.

Blues get much better on offense, fans complain about the defense.

In the end, many just like to complain and will find something until the cup is at the STC.

He is not playing as poorly as some people think.
- BluemanGuruu

Have you all seen the article on P.K. Subban in the New Yorker? Good piece of writing.

http://www.newyorker.com/...ne/2014/12/15/ice-breaker

For me to say "Don't trade him, do this.." is me playing Devil's advocate, so here it goes.

Jackman - Shattenkirk
JBo - Cole
Butler - Petro

If he's not going anywhere, he needs a message sent. Less ice time.

He and JBo do not have chemistry this year. As stated, Petro has the worst +/- on the team, but JBo is not far behind. Keep them apart, and put Petro on 3rd pairing.

Great defense, fans complain about the offense.

Blues get much better on offense, fans complain about the defense.

In the end, many just like to complain and will find something until the cup is at the STC.
- carcus

So? Your point?

Fan is short for fanatic. Fanatic means passion. Few think and react rationally when they're passionate about something.

In the end, many like to pretend to be mature and level headed and complain about those they deem below them.

So? Your point?

Fan is short for fanatic. Fanatic means passion. Few think and react rationally when they're passionate about something.

In the end, many like to pretend to be mature and level headed and complain about those they deem below them.
- bcallaway

I was not trying to deem anyone below me.

I am a huge Blues fan. I just find it interesting that so many act like they are mad about a sport/team that they love almost non-stop. I personally couldn't do it. (Be a fan and almost always be mad/angry)

For me to say "Don't trade him, do this.." is me playing Devil's advocate, so here it goes.

Jackman - Shattenkirk
JBo - Cole
Butler - Petro

If he's not going anywhere, he needs a message sent. Less ice time.

He and JBo do not have chemistry this year. As stated, Petro has the worst +/- on the team, but JBo is not far behind. Keep them apart, and put Petro on 3rd pairing.
- WhatAboutBawb

No

Edit: It is also unrealistic to think/even suggest that this could happen.

Stop looking at plus/minus. For real, fans should ignore this stat.

For me to say "Don't trade him, do this.." is me playing Devil's advocate, so here it goes.

Jackman - Shattenkirk
JBo - Cole
Butler - Petro

If he's not going anywhere, he needs a message sent. Less ice time.

He and JBo do not have chemistry this year. As stated, Petro has the worst +/- on the team, but JBo is not far behind. Keep them apart, and put Petro on 3rd pairing.
- WhatAboutBawb

I thought they had it right the other night when they broke up 27 and 19. I never really thought they were an ideal couple, they both are similar in style.

For me to say "Don't trade him, do this.." is me playing Devil's advocate, so here it goes.

Jackman - Shattenkirk
JBo - Cole
Butler - Petro

If he's not going anywhere, he needs a message sent. Less ice time.

He and JBo do not have chemistry this year. As stated, Petro has the worst +/- on the team, but JBo is not far behind. Keep them apart, and put Petro on 3rd pairing.
- WhatAboutBawb

I think Petro knows he's playing bad defensively. I do not think he needs a wake up call as strong as this one. To be as cliché as possible, I think he just needs to get back to basics and simplify his game. Once his confidence starts to rebuild I think he will be the player he was last year. And, of course, by no means do we trade him at this point.

I think Petro knows he's playing bad defensively. I do not think he needs a wake up call as strong as this one. To be as cliché as possible, I think he just needs to get back to basics and simplify his game. Once his confidence starts to rebuild I think he will be the player he was last year. And, of course, by no means do we trade him at this point.
- Yeah Boyes

He was on the ice for 5 of the kings goals. Reducing his ice time isn't just a shot to his ego, it will help our goals against.

No

Edit: It is also unrealistic to think/even suggest that this could happen.

Stop looking at plus/minus. For real, fans should ignore this stat.
- carcus

Plus minus is huge for a defenseman. Moreso than a forward, IMO. Petro isn't even a top 50 d man IMO. I don't care how many goals or assists he has. His job is to defend, and he sucks at it.

I think more people should look at plus minus. It speaks volumes for accountability.

He was on the ice for 5 of the kings goals. Reducing his ice time isn't just a shot to his ego, it will help our goals against.
- WhatAboutBawb

And hurt our goals for

And hurt our goals for
- Yeah Boyes

Not enough to justify letting him have 25+ mins of ice time.

I am starting to get a little worried about Petro, but not too much. I actually wish that the Blues Brass would show a little more trust in some other guys and even out the ice time a bit more. If you split up Petro and Bouw, then give Butler (who I thought played a good game) the chance to finish the game with Petro. I know that the best 2 d-men on the team or Petro and Bouw, but are they really the best when trapped in your own zone late in a game. I'd rather have Jax out there willing to throw his chin in front of shots to keep the score from being tied. I guarentee he doesn't lose that puck battle on the boards. Maybe Butler or Cole don't either.

Anyway, I love the versatility of the forwards. I thought Lindstrom played well with Backes/Oshie and again the Stastny line looked better. I also am a big fan of this year's 4th line. I know they only chip in eventually, but they never seem to scored on.

Plus minus is huge for a defenseman. Moreso than a forward, IMO. Petro isn't even a top 50 d man IMO. I don't care how many goals or assists he has. His job is to defend, and he sucks at it.

I think more people should look at plus minus. It speaks volumes for accountability.
- WhatAboutBawb

It has its usefulness as a stat but shouldn't be a be-all and end-all. It should be part of the overall picture.

A bad team, most everyone on the roster is going to be minus. A bad goal given up by the goalie - everyone on the ice gets a minus. It's all about context.

If you have a team where by and large everyone's grouped together but one or two players stand out - there's something to that.

Maybe they're drawing tougher assignments, maybe the bulk of their points come on the PP. Maybe their game has turned to crap.

I don't mean to bash Pietrangelo in particular, but his game doesn't pass the eye test. He just isn't playing well right now. There's no hiding that. As well, Bouwmeester has been incredibly average.

I thought they had it right the other night when they broke up 27 and 19. I never really thought they were an ideal couple, they both are similar in style.
- bcallaway

It seemed both JBo and Petro played better Saturday night when apart, and struggled when together (PK and PP). Hopefully the coaching staff takes note of this and keeps JBo with Shatty and Petro with Butler. The Jackman-Cole pairing wasn't terrible so these pairings should work over time.