Randall,

I'm intrigued by Joakim Lindstrom and would like to see him get more of an opportunity to play and show what he can do.

What are your thoughts?
- bcallaway

I agree we played well enough to win. It's just that all of these shootout wins make me nervous since it doesn't mean anything in the playoffs.

The game certainly would have been different if Luongo wasn't so terrific in the first 40 min. But if Elliott wasn't so great it could have been different the other way. I think this game could have easily gone 4-1 in either direction.

I'm happy with the two points, especially on the road, but it just would have felt better to close that one out in regulation. I do not think giving up 20+ shots in the third period when defending a lead is acceptable.
- Yeah Boyes

It turns out Hitch pretty shared your opinion from the game.

We have only gone to eight shootouts which is nothing like some other teams. Florida is not a bad team by any means and now they are desperate. Florida's one problem is their lack of scoring.

Consider what the Blues did good in the third. There were not a lot of second chances despite being permanantly hemmed in their zone. So they did well to keep the shots mostly from the outside. Elliott played a great game. I hope he does this in the play offs. He is a solid goalie but there for a bit I was, maybe I still am wondering if he can find the next level, which he seemed to do, or if he is just solid and with the team in front of him that is good enough. Much better goaltending for the Blues than the Philly team that made it to the finals a few years back. So it is more than possible.

The other thing is the Blues are getting by with five left handed dmen.

The Canucks had 7 more regulation wins more than the next best team that season. They had the most goals as well as the lowest GAA. They lost their shutdown d-man to injury in that series and the PP went dry as some players simply were just too banged up. Luongo had a very mediocre .914 save percentage during those playoffs, he was part of the problem in that SCF. In fact, his career save percentage in the playoffs is a very average .916%(scoring usually goes down in the playoffs as well).

I think the team in front of him pulled their fair share of the weight.

The whole team sucked in the final after the first couple of games of that series, including Luongo.
- Nucker101

I watched a ton of te play offs and the best team that year did not win. It was because the officiating in the finals changed dramatically. Boston did not have the speed, nor the skill to compete with the Nucks. But suddenly in a season where even in the play offs clutching and grabbing was called it was not in the finals. The Bruins slowed the Canucks down to their speed with hooks.

To me the NHL robbed Vancouver of a Cup.

I agree. I don't think there's much for the Blues to do at the deadline. I like the make-up of this team. The Goc trade has really worked out well. He's a great fit.

The only place they could benefit from an additional piece would be on D. If there was a really strong playoff guy (like a Willie Mitchell) available on the cheap or if a top level defenseman could be had (like a Keith Yandle) that would be here and stay here long term, I would explore those.

But there's no glaring need on this team right now.
- bcallaway

I mostly agree with all of you guys. I really like the make up. In fact, I do not think it needs to be a trade but the fourth line needs some work. I like Ott and Reaves but together they seem to have issues. It is not all bad but there underlying numbers were either greatly poisoned by Lappy(which could very well be as I said before Lappy has had someo the worst possession numbers in the league for years), or they just do it themselves. I favor Reaves. I love Goc. But I think bringing up someone who can skate and is defensively sound would be great help. It could be the former King or someone like McRae.

As for defense there are some right handed players in the minors I would not mind seeing get a shot and see where they are.

I would only be in favor of a trade that works well for the team and those are hard to come by. Honestly, I do not like getting players from bottom feeders as there is a reason why the teams those players come from suck. We probably would have been better off not making the trade with Buffalo last year. I went back and forth on it and then Miller came in and was excellent. Then he sucked.

This is by far the best team I have ever seen for the Blues. I think the weakness is right side D and the fourth line. That speaks volumes.

If I could get a pick in the top ten in this draft and it cost me a Steen or a Backes I would consider it. Steen looks more like an esception but the NHL has not been kind lately to players as they enter their thirties. So cap and age plus value would figure big in my estimation. I know it sounds horrible in light of how great those guys have been playing for two years but at some point you refrsh or perish in a cap league.

Man if only Sobotka came back. Man would we then have a potent fourth line.

Man if only Sobotka came back. Man would we then have a potent fourth line.
- BluemanGuruu

He wanted top 6 minutes. He is not coming back to play on the 4th line.

I watched a ton of te play offs and the best team that year did not win. It was because the officiating in the finals changed dramatically. Boston did not have the speed, nor the skill to compete with the Nucks. But suddenly in a season where even in the play offs clutching and grabbing was called it was not in the finals. The Bruins slowed the Canucks down to their speed with hooks.

To me the NHL robbed Vancouver of a Cup.
- BluemanGuruu

Well said.


Luckily for you guys, you're built to win with either style(whistles put away and grind it out or use speed/skill).

He wanted top 6 minutes. He is not coming back to play on the 4th line.
- carcus

I bet he'll take 6 mins a game for a short season just to get to UFA.

I bet he'll take 6 mins a game for a short season just to get to UFA.
- Gerk

He won't likely get the deal he is looking for in UFA if that happens.

How is he playing over in Russia? I haven't heard but unless he is tearing it up it would be tough to get a big deal in the NHL with his 20-30 point a season NHL history.

He won't likely get the deal he is looking for in UFA if that happens.

How is he playing over in Russia? I haven't heard but unless he is tearing it up it would be tough to get a big deal in the NHL with his 20-30 point a season NHL history.
- carcus

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ons/teams/0050162015.html

10g, 20a for 38 points in 52 games. 3rd on the team in scoring.

I'm not sure what that really means though. Apparently the guy leading the team with 55 in 58 is a 137lb 28 year old

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ons/teams/0050162015.html

10g, 20a for 38 points in 52 games. 3rd on the team in scoring.

I'm not sure what that really means though. Apparently the guy leading the team with 55 in 58 is a 137lb 28 year old
- Blue Clam

That's the smallest professional hockey team ever!

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ons/teams/0050162015.html

10g, 20a for 38 points in 52 games. 3rd on the team in scoring.

I'm not sure what that really means though. Apparently the guy leading the team with 55 in 58 is a 137lb 28 year old
- Blue Clam

Nikolai Lemytugov is a familiar name.

Nikolai Lemytugov is a familiar name.
- Yeah Boyes

We still own the rights.

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ons/teams/0050162015.html

10g, 20a for 38 points in 52 games. 3rd on the team in scoring.

I'm not sure what that really means though. Apparently the guy leading the team with 55 in 58 is a 137lb 28 year old
- Blue Clam

Yeah, I don't think it means much as Lindstrom was one of the top (if not top) scorers in his league last year.

He is still a 25-30 point forward who is very good defensively and very good at the faceoff dot. Good player to have, but if he is in your top 6 you have issues IMO.

me and my dog blue sat down to watch the game, and this is his reaction,

Not that it is all on him but Elliott is just not great.

The Stars are not that good. Just coasting around. The refs are even letting Rousel cross check and slash. But forget it. Back away from the play and watch the play.

Down four to nothing your fourth liner takes a terrible offensive zone penalty. I would bench him the next game and play Porter. Snd a message. Terrible contract. nHow does Ott get 2.6?

Refs are terrible. Interference on Schwartz leads to a two on one for dallas on pk, then it comes back down the ice the same play takes a huge two handed lumber jack chop aka a slash so obvious it was seen from space and that is not a call????

Next shift Ott ices the puck. Dude sucks. How does he get another shift after that terrible penalty when you are down by four goals?

Next shift Ott ices the puck. Dude sucks. How does he get another shift after that terrible penalty when you are down by four goals?
- BluemanGuruu

Did you see theStars number 72 slew foot Oshie towards the end of the second?? Holy shnikes! That is a five minute major right there. Especially with the score to keep the game from getting crazy. Guess what? I think th third will be dangerous.

Did you see theStars number 72 slew foot Oshie towards the end of the second?? Holy shnikes! That is a five minute major right there. Especially with the score to keep the game from getting crazy. Guess what? I think th third will be dangerous.
- BluemanGuruu

Blues would be losing regardless. But reffing has been insanely one sided both of the last 2 games. Tarasenko gets dumped away from the puck, no call. Literally 10 seconds later a Star gets dumped away from the puck, Dallas PP. Steen gets interfered, no call. Steen's stick held, no call. Steen clips the Dallas players neck trying to get his stick free, Dallas 5 on 3. And was Roussel's dive before the fight the most obvious dive of the year so far?

The Ref's clearly have it out for the Blues. I don't know what was said to one of the ref's a few games ago, but it was obviously put into the officials scouting report that goes around, and they are on a mission to avoid giving the Blues a PP at all costs.

Blues would be losing regardless. But reffing has been insanely one sided both of the last 2 games. Tarasenko gets dumped away from the puck, no call. Literally 10 seconds later a Star gets dumped away from the puck, Dallas PP. Steen gets interfered, no call. Steen's stick held, no call. Steen clips the Dallas players neck trying to get his stick free, Dallas 5 on 3. And was Roussel's dive before the fight the most obvious dive of the year so far?

The Ref's clearly have it out for the Blues. I don't know what was said to one of the ref's a few games ago, but it was obviously put into the officials scouting report that goes around, and they are on a mission to avoid giving the Blues a PP at all costs.
- Antilles

That's my point man. While the Blues were on the power play there was such an obvious two hander and then interference I thought for sure when the Stars committeda third gratutious act a call would be made, no. So I was shocked by the call on Steen.

This holding the sticking on your side thing is happening so often and obviously I do not know how the refs either fail to see or do not make the call. Oh well, it is getting more and more back to the clutch and grab league.

I do not understand as well when Rousvagina starts a fight and has a visor as Jackman pointed out to the refs manages not to pick up any extra penalties.

Maybe file this under the same reason the Blues have not had an outdoor game nor have they had an all-star game in what is nearly thirty years?

Terrible effort by the Blues all around.