A few thoughts on the loss in Vancouver, tonight’s game in San Jose, and a collection of other tidbits.
So Close to a Passing Grade
Even though the outcome Thursday night was a 2-0 loss to the Canucks, the Blues came about as close to passing their toughest test of the season as they could without actually doing so. They hung with Vancouver as well as they could as long as they could. Both admirable and encouraging given the circumstances. However, attrition through injuries and scheduling would take it’s toll in the third period when Alex Burrows netted the game winning goal.
Two opportunities were awarded in the first period to gain an upper hand to counter the eventual degradation. Much like in the 2009 playoffs, the Blues were unable to put the puck behind Roberto Luongo on the man advantage. As I said in the game preview, timely execution would ultimately be the difference maker and it was. The Blues couldn’t convert and Vancouver just rode out a weary visitor till enough pressure forced the dam to break.
Don’t pin this one on Brian Elliott either. He may have lost his third ina row, but they’re far from his fault. It’s been a very long time since Blues fans have been able to say on a consistent basis that the team let down the goalie instead of the opposite.
Fear the Fin?
The sixth and final game of the Blues’ first crazy road trip is Saturday night in the Shark Tank. No, not the one on ABC. The one in SJ.
This is the fourth and final game between the two. In the three previous meetings the Blues are a perfect 3-0 and carry an 8-2 lead in the goal scoring department. Elliott and Jaroslav Halak have combined to pitch back to back shutouts in the last two games.
Given their success and the Sharks current struggle, 3-6-1 in their last 10, should the Blues fear the Sharks? There better be some. San Jose is locked in a bitter battle with Phoenix and Dallas for top position in the Pacific Division. They face both next week.
Doesn’t that scenario sound familiar?
The game against Boston on February 22nd had a very similar setup. Boston was in a downturn and getting set to take on division rivals Buffalo and Ottawa. What happened? The Blues lost 4-2 because they failed to take the game seriously enough. Even though the Bruins were rattled when the Blues pushed back to tie the game, they settled in and took over. Veteran teams who’ve been in the position before know how to respond. San Jose is such a team.
The previous games mean nothing once the puck drops. Best be ready for a hard fought affair.
In terms of the lineup, a few changes can be expected. Ken Hitchcock mentioned that both Ian Cole and TJ Hensick would play during this road trip. Neither has yet.
It will be interesting to see who Cole replaces. It will either be Carlo Colaiacovo or Kent Huskins. My gut feeling points to Colaiacovo. Who sits for Hensick? Could be Ryan Reaves with Chris Stewart moving doing to rejoin Jason Arnott and Chris Porter taking up left wing next to Scott Nichol and BJ Crombeen.
If I had to guess, I’d bet Halak gets the start.
Bluenotes
- The Peoria Rivermen announced that they have sent forward Brett Sterling to the Portland Pirates in exchange for forward Patrick O’Sullivan for the remainder of the season. Both players are on NHL-AHL contracts so this is a loan at the AHL level, not a trade between the Blues and Coyotes.
Why would a team fighting for the AHL playoffs send away their leading goal scorer? Dave Eminian of the Peoria Journal Star summed up the rationale behind the move very well. Should the Blues need to recall Sterling the Rivermen’s do not lose a player, Portland does. O’Sullivan is a comparable offensive producer to Sterling at the AHL level. It’s a lateral move that ultimately benefits the Rivermen.
The deeper question is, are the Blues telegraphing who they will recall first out of the available forwards? Why make a move like this only to recall someone else like Evgeny Grachev, Adam Cracknell, or Phil McRae? they’re certainly deserving but why eat in to Peoria’s depth when it’s not needed?
- Top prospect, forward Vladimir Tarasenko, is making his presence felt in the KHL playoffs. In three games so far he has three goals and an assist. SKA holds a 2-1 advantage over CSKA in their quarterfinals matchup. Even if SKA bombs out, don’t expect any news on Tarasenko’s decision on where he’ll play for the 2012-13 season. That won’t happen till after the World Championships.
His stellar season and potential deep playoff run is both a blessing and a curse for those Russian Mafia members of the Blues fanbase. It’s great to see growth and an opportunity to gain invaluable experience, but it’s also troubling to think that his success could easily lead to a large KHL contract offer from SKA.
The Blues still believe that he will agree to a NHL ELC this summer and join the team for next season and beyond.
- For those like myself, who are more interested in the Blues other 1st round draft pick in 2010, forward Jaden Schwartz, there isn’t much concrete info to report on his future as well. Schwartz and representatives from the team talked during the World Juniors. Basically to convey they would like to get him in the organization sooner rather than later, but they want his focus on getting better this season and will address “what happens next” after his sophomore campaign at Colorado College concludes.
The situation be as it is, there are indicators that lead me to believe that he will indeed make the jump soon.
Colorado College doesn’t look to be a Frozen Four team like they were a season ago when they finished 2nd in the WCHA. Heading into this weekend’s games they’re 5th. Schwartz is 19th in the nation in scoring with 14 goals and 38 points in 27 games.
Personal success + middling team = take the next step in his career?
Schwartz is not held to the CHL/NHL agreement that players who do not turn 20 before December 31st must return to the junior club or stay in the NHL. Though he is Canadian and a WHL team holds his rights, he was not playing for a CHL team when he was drafted. Therefore, he is exempted from the rule.
The only reason Alex Pietranglo didn’t spend the 09-10 season with the Rivermen was because of that rule. With Schwartz not restricted by it, he can come to training camp, fight for a roster spot, and go to Peoria for seasoning if needed.
How soon he can go to Peoria is a question without answer currently and likely a major deciding factor. It’s highly doubtful the Blues want to burn a year of his ELC to get in a handful of AHL games. That said, there is a precedent set within the organization for bringing in a college player on an Athletic Tryout Contract (ATO) to cover the remainder of the AHL season. David Backes did that in 2006 as did Jay Barriball last year.
Keep an eye out for more on Schwartz over the next few weeks. Their final regular season game is this weekend and the WCHA playoffs start next weekend.
- Injury Updates: To be honest, there are no updates. Alex Steen headed to California last weekend for two weeks of treatments in his quest to return from a concussion. Matt D’Agostini is still recovering from his concussion symptoms and is not skating. Kris Russell is out with the same issue. Jamie Langenbrunner is out with a broken foot and won’t be reevaluated for a few weeks.
- The Blues are missing a glorious marketing opportunity with the “Road Warriors” shirts. For those who don’t know the team has generally struggled all season away from St. Louis and in an effort to deal with the road heavy schedule in the final two months their resorting to psychological warfare. Using the shirts to set a mentality among themselves that they can find success outside Scottrade.
I remember a time when this team was rebuilding and reached out to the fan base in new and exciting ways. Fans felt empowered and had a sense of ownership. Slowly but surely that feeling has been taken away. The developmental camp over the summer is no more. FanFest has morphed in to minor event before a preseason game. Yes, charity events like Casino Night and the Dream Factory Night still happen. Jr. Blues Members can still go on the ice and shoot on goal after games. But these connections to the fans are purely about money. Those that were not have been changed or dropped.
Given the ownership situation, such changes make sense. When the play on the ice was poor, something had to be done to get butts in seats. In transitioning out of the rebuild and in to the next stages, cutting costs in one area to spend more elsewhere is a no-brainer from a business perspective. Only keep those that generate funds. If that leads to an improved product on the ice, all should be for it.
Selling T-Shirts creates revenue. It also let’s the fans buy in and be a part of the team’s current standing and the future. Seems like a win-win, doesn’t it? Why it’s not being monetized is beyond belief. Fans want to be a part of this team now more than ever. They need to be given the chance to.
Thanks for reading. Enjoy the game tonight and Let’s Go Blues!
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