WildHBcommunity: Game 1 Wild Vs Blues Waging War at Scottrade Center
Things to Know About the St. Louis Blues
The Central Division Champion St. Louis Blues are yet again the favorite to have a let down in round one of the NHL post season. After last year's meltdown versus the Chicago blackhawks in round one this entire organization has to be looking at game one as a statement game towards proving all the doubters wrong. The Blues made some dramatic roster changes after an early exit last season that have helped to shape a more rounded better balanced roster. The return of Native son Paul Stasny in free agent was about the worst kept secret in all of hockey outside of Thomas Vanek's signing with the Minnesota Wild.
Beyond the addition of Stasny though, the young players for the Blues have completely graduated to the NHL ranks which has created a need to alter the role of several key veterans throughout the lineup. Vladimir Tarasenko has evolved into a superstar type player this season and must be accounted for at all times by opponents to limit him offensively. Jaden Schwartz plays like a guy who is 6'3" not 5'10" which is truly a testament to how hard working and skilled that kid is. The two young Euro forwards Jori Lehtera and Dmitrij Jaskin have really taken a large step forward this season giving the Blues a loaded top to bottom Top 9 forwards.
The defensive corps for the Blues has been a strength for them consistently with Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk both healthy and producing points from the blue line while playing stifling stout defensively in and around their own cage. Jay Bouwmeester has taken a step back production wise as a point producer from the blue line but he is certainly capable of being a veteran presence and contributor during round one.
The netminder situation in St. Louis is going to be a focal point during round one and throughout the playoffs because although Brian Elliott has proven he has NHL #1 guy type talent, he has been supplanted by young backstop Jake Allen to begin the Wild series. Elliott and Allen will be a highly scrutinized duo throughout the post season and ultimate if the Blues let down again this year i have a feeling the finger will point directly towards the guy between the pipes.
The lesson to be learned from last year's Blues first round ouster seems to have been, maybe all the tough guy shenanigans and liberties before the playoffs began was a fatal flaw. Blues captain David Backes is a Spring Lake Park native and seems to relish the role of heel. Backes really stirs it up with the Wild and has shown their his behavior in previous matchups that he will be right there to destroy the tiny but talented skill players for the State of Hockey's squad if presented the opportunity. This series is sure to get ugly in the corners and the Blues will look to impose their will physically from the outset.
Things to Know About the Minnesota Wild
I truly believe that for the Wild to draw the Blues in round one is exactly what this squad needed to make a deep run at Lord Stanley's Cup in 2015. I say that not to look past St. Louis by any means but instead to illustrate the point that if this team climbs the mountain of sending the Blues packing in round one then it will truly be sky is the limit potential.
Last year Colorado was ripe for the picking in my opinion despite the series going seven games. This year the Wild will have their most talented and deep top to bottom lineup with the hottest goalie in hockey between the pipes to begin the post season. On top of that they received a good dose of humble pie on the last day of the regular season in St. Louis at the hands of the team they look to vanquish.
The return of Jason Zucker is something I am not sure the national hockey audience and media types understands completely. I know here in the State of Hockey, we have had a front row seat to see Zucker overcome every obstacle in front of him to solidify a spot in the lineup. Zucker's return means so much to the ability of Mikko "Kaptain" Koivu and Chris Stewart's opportunity to drive possession and generate scoring opportunities.
We have seen all season that the Wild plays their best hockey limiting opportunities for opponents by possessing the puck for long stretches no matter the goal output because the defensive corps for this squad led by Ryan Suter works very hard to be positionally responsible and force everything to the outsides with consistent gap control and strong back check from all the forward lines.
The top 9 for this squad has been provided an opportunity at consistency which will truly be their benefit in this post season. Mikael Granlund and Charlie Coyle now sandwhich Kaptain Koivu as the pivots for this team's top 3 forward lines. Granlund certainly is going to be the make or break dynamic performer for this team as it attempts to win round one and every round after. We have seen elite level playmaking, hockey iq, and vision from Granlund affectionately referred to by me and others as "Finnish Baby Jesus". Granlund is either tremendous or he drives you insane no in between it seems. As Granlund goes so does the Wild and although there are so many other playmakers and difference makers on this roster, the young Finn must elevate his play consistently in this series for the Wild to move on to round two.
Coyle has been such a pleasant surprise at the pivot this year considering how much it was in question. Coyle has a taken a large step forward playing the center position and anchoring the 3rd line this year which has allowed Vanek to find a stable place in the lineup where he has developed a role and chemistry. Now with Nino Niederreiter getting bumped back to the 3rd line with Coyle and Vanek, it really should give that trio the opportunity to be dangerous with the puck every shift and compliment each others strengths but maybe more important weaknesses.
The overwhelming rally cry for Vanek haters is his lack of defense or lack of hustle in general. I will always contend that his role has very little to do with being a complete two way player and his production offensively and really creating secondary scoring with lesser talented linemates I believes has justified his role and identity in the lineup. Also a very underrated element of this 3rd line and the depth of the Wild is that Justin Fontaine can slide in and out between 3rd and 4th depending on the matchups and situation. Fontaine and Nino will be a matchup nightmare for opponent's this post season mark my words!
**If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Twin Cities Metro area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.**
Just My Take, Tony Dean
Follow Me on Twitter @TonyDeanHB
Follow WildHBcommunity on Twitter @WildHBcommunity
Also Like the WildHBcommunity of FaceBook here: WildHBCommunity on FaceBook
