Randall Ritchey: Blues Embarrassed In Loss To Avalanche The Blues fail to show up against the Avalanche, get laughed out of the building, losing 5-0.

How about David Backes going after Duchene. Last season he jumped MacKinnon too. Does this guy have the balls to go toe to toe with somebody his size? He beat the piss out of Toews a few years ago too! In all honesty, I'm an Avs fan and don't like him going after our stars, but I do recognize that if you can get half-your-size Jonathan Toews to fight you, then you're very good at what you do. Love Backes on Team USA, hate facing him in the Avs division.

How about David Backes going after Duchene. Last season he jumped MacKinnon too. Does this guy have the balls to go toe to toe with somebody his size? He beat the piss out of Toews a few years ago too! In all honesty, I'm an Avs fan and don't like him going after our stars, but I do recognize that if you can get half-your-size Jonathan Toews to fight you, then you're very good at what you do. Love Backes on Team USA, hate facing him in the Avs division.
- scottblauweiss

Toews wanted Backes just a much a Backes wanted hum.

Hitchcock isn't going anywhere. In a month well forget this game even happened.

1. Tarasenko and Schwartz can get any player to play well. This should include Stastny. Put Stastny on the same line as those two. I can see this line resembling the Landeskog-Stastny-MacKinnon line that was so successful last season.

2. The only season that truly matters is the post season, provided that the team makes the playoffs. Maybe this team is saving up like the Kings do every season.

3. At least Jaskin has really developed. Adding him makes this team more similar to the Kings: big, heavy, and strong. Great addition.

4. Hitch needs to put the normal defensive pairings back together with Linbohm taking Cole's place on the 3rd pairing with Jackman.

Blues did not show up at all this game. Let's forget about this game. Sometimes during a season they happen.

Happy Holidays everyone!!!

Blues did not show up at all this game. Let's forget about this game. Sometimes during a season they happen.

Happy Holidays everyone!!!
- BluesDroogie

Bad road trip also.

How about David Backes going after Duchene. Last season he jumped MacKinnon too. Does this guy have the balls to go toe to toe with somebody his size? He beat the piss out of Toews a few years ago too! In all honesty, I'm an Avs fan and don't like him going after our stars, but I do recognize that if you can get half-your-size Jonathan Toews to fight you, then you're very good at what you do. Love Backes on Team USA, hate facing him in the Avs division.
- scottblauweiss

If you are going to bring up the Mackinnon thing; then tell the whole story. Bordeleau left his skates to elbow Shattenkirk in the head. Roy hid him on the bench to avoid him having to answer for his cheap shot, so when Mackinnon shoved Backes to the ice, then turned to re-initiate contact he got his ass handed to him. If Roy refuses to put his cheap shotting, 6'6 player on the ice for Backes to go after, then it's on Roy when Backes goes after the players who are on the ice shoving with him. Roy called Backes gutless for the incident, because he didn't want to admit that it was his own fault for protecting Bordeleau. But what Backes did is just old school hockey. You go after our skill guys, and refuse to answer for it, then we go after your skill guys. Or if you want to bring up Toews, again, tell the whole story. Backes was skating backwards, away from Toews while talking, and Toews kept skating towards him giving him a stick to the ribs, to start that fight. And since when is 6'2 Toews half the size of 6'3 Backes? Or is it Backes being at 216 while Toews was only 210 that seems like a massive difference to you?

You whine about Blues going Avs stars. But let's be real. 2 years ago Avs gave Tarasenko a concussion with a very questionable hit to the head. Last year they head shot Shattenkirk. Blues don't have a history of targetting the Avs top guys with dangerous hits, it's the other way around. When Duchene mouths off, as he can clearly be seen doing, immediately following one of his team mates hitting our goalie in the back with a stick, you better believe Backes is going after him. Avs have developed a reputation with the Blues. They take dives (2 penalties called against them for it in games against us over the last two years) hit guys in the head (again, twice against us in two years) and pull crap like Talbot's lying on the ice as if his is hurt, trying to draw a penalty, then laughing about it as soon as he gets to the bench and not missing a shift.

Blues play you physical. Avs play us cheap.

First things first: Merry Christmas you all.

Secondly, this can't be the first time that a team has mailed in a pre-Christmas / Holiday game. Throw this game tape in the trash and move on.

Don't make too much of things. I don't think this is a case of a team tuning out a coach either.

And I'm not yet in favor of jettisoning yet another coach. I'd like to see some stability. The playoffs will tell the tale. Hang in there until then.

If you are going to bring up the Mackinnon thing; then tell the whole story. Bordeleau left his skates to elbow Shattenkirk in the head. Roy hid him on the bench to avoid him having to answer for his cheap shot, so when Mackinnon shoved Backes to the ice, then turned to re-initiate contact he got his ass handed to him. If Roy refuses to put his cheap shotting, 6'6 player on the ice for Backes to go after, then it's on Roy when Backes goes after the players who are on the ice shoving with him. Roy called Backes gutless for the incident, because he didn't want to admit that it was his own fault for protecting Bordeleau. But what Backes did is just old school hockey. You go after our skill guys, and refuse to answer for it, then we go after your skill guys. Or if you want to bring up Toews, again, tell the whole story. Backes was skating backwards, away from Toews while talking, and Toews kept skating towards him giving him a stick to the ribs, to start that fight. And since when is 6'2 Toews half the size of 6'3 Backes? Or is it Backes being at 216 while Toews was only 210 that seems like a massive difference to you?

You whine about Blues going Avs stars. But let's be real. 2 years ago Avs gave Tarasenko a concussion with a very questionable hit to the head. Last year they head shot Shattenkirk. Blues don't have a history of targetting the Avs top guys with dangerous hits, it's the other way around. When Duchene mouths off, as he can clearly be seen doing, immediately following one of his team mates hitting our goalie in the back with a stick, you better believe Backes is going after him. Avs have developed a reputation with the Blues. They take dives (2 penalties called against them for it in games against us over the last two years) hit guys in the head (again, twice against us in two years) and pull crap like Talbot's lying on the ice as if his is hurt, trying to draw a penalty, then laughing about it as soon as he gets to the bench and not missing a shift.

Blues play you physical. Avs play us cheap.
- Antilles

Great post! You summed it up exactly so now I don't have to type

First things first: Merry Christmas you all.

Secondly, this can't be the first time that a team has mailed in a pre-Christmas / Holiday game. Throw this game tape in the trash and move on.

Don't make too much of things. I don't think this is a case of a team tuning out a coach either.

And I'm not yet in favor of jettisoning yet another coach. I'd like to see some stability. The playoffs will tell the tale. Hang in there until then.
- bcallaway

Merry Christmas to you too!

Randall would know a thing or two about mailing it in. That was a nice recap though........

If you are going to bring up the Mackinnon thing; then tell the whole story. Bordeleau left his skates to elbow Shattenkirk in the head. Roy hid him on the bench to avoid him having to answer for his cheap shot, so when Mackinnon shoved Backes to the ice, then turned to re-initiate contact he got his ass handed to him. If Roy refuses to put his cheap shotting, 6'6 player on the ice for Backes to go after, then it's on Roy when Backes goes after the players who are on the ice shoving with him. Roy called Backes gutless for the incident, because he didn't want to admit that it was his own fault for protecting Bordeleau. But what Backes did is just old school hockey. You go after our skill guys, and refuse to answer for it, then we go after your skill guys. Or if you want to bring up Toews, again, tell the whole story. Backes was skating backwards, away from Toews while talking, and Toews kept skating towards him giving him a stick to the ribs, to start that fight. And since when is 6'2 Toews half the size of 6'3 Backes? Or is it Backes being at 216 while Toews was only 210 that seems like a massive difference to you?

You whine about Blues going Avs stars. But let's be real. 2 years ago Avs gave Tarasenko a concussion with a very questionable hit to the head. Last year they head shot Shattenkirk. Blues don't have a history of targetting the Avs top guys with dangerous hits, it's the other way around. When Duchene mouths off, as he can clearly be seen doing, immediately following one of his team mates hitting our goalie in the back with a stick, you better believe Backes is going after him. Avs have developed a reputation with the Blues. They take dives (2 penalties called against them for it in games against us over the last two years) hit guys in the head (again, twice against us in two years) and pull crap like Talbot's lying on the ice as if his is hurt, trying to draw a penalty, then laughing about it as soon as he gets to the bench and not missing a shift.

Blues play you physical. Avs play us cheap.
- Antilles

you're an idiot.

you're an idiot.
- Drij

When a person responds with nothing but a personal attack, Most of the Blues posters here know it really means "I'm mad because you're right!" So thanks, Merry Christmas!

this BLUES squad has given up on Hitchcock that is why he needs to be FIRED before we may make any trades that would be for the benefit of the coach and not the team. If this BLUES squad does not respond the rest of the season... then i could see in the off season moving the core.

Merry Christmas to all... and may god bless and protect the troops so we can celebrate and remember what they do during the holidays. this time of the year and never forget what they do for us to protect our great nation! thank you USA military and everyone should thank a service member, veterans, firefighters, the police for what they do as well! THANK YOU!!

this BLUES squad has given up on Hitchcock that is why he needs to be FIRED before we may make any trades that would be for the benefit of the coach and not the team. If this BLUES squad does not respond the rest of the season... then i could see in the off season moving the core.

Merry Christmas to all... and may god bless and protect the troops so we can celebrate and remember what they do during the holidays. this time of the year and never forget what they do for us to protect our great nation! thank you USA military and everyone should thank a service member, veterans, firefighters, the police for what they do as well! THANK YOU!!
- bird diggler

This team is just streaky.

Hitch doesn't need to be fired.

Several long winning streaks this year already. That was a bad road trip, but let's not go overboard with demanding Hitch to be fired. The Blues are right where we should expect them to be, fighting for the division and WC. That doesn't spell out that the coach should be fired, especially when most don't care what the Bless do during the regular season and that they will be judged on the post season play. 3 games in December. Merry Christmas.

Toews wanted Backes just a much a Backes wanted hum.
- Randall_Ritchey

BS.

Backes challenged Toews in an earlier shift. Toews was coming off a concussion but showed his heart, had enough of Backes typical cheap game and stepped up.

Backes is a class A dirtbag. Even worse when he is losing. No class. What was he trying to do in the case of MacKinnon and Duchene - shift the momentum of the game? LOL! He was trying to inflict pain because he was losing. Cheap attitude from a cheap player. Cheap coaching too to allow garbage like that. Lose like men.

This team is just streaky.

Hitch doesn't need to be fired.

Several long winning streaks this year already. That was a bad road trip, but let's not go overboard with demanding Hitch to be fired. The Blues are right where we should expect them to be, fighting for the division and WC. That doesn't spell out that the coach should be fired, especially when most don't care what the Bless do during the regular season and that they will be judged on the post season play. 3 games in December. Merry Christmas.
- carcus

Seriously doubt Coach Chaos has lost the room down there. Not when he is getting guys to run people in a blowout loss. He won't be fired when you are 2nd in division. That said, the Blues will not evolve into relevant contenders until he is gone and takes the stone age tactics with him. That style is 2 decades past expiration.

I believe only two players on this team played under Mike Kitchen so I am curious how that one could be placed on this core. As it was Kitchen was screwed because of the Walmart family who loves to screw Americans period.

Andy Murray is an assistant coach at the NHL level and that is well documented.

Payne came in maybe before he was ready, the players were younger and inexperienced.

Hitchcock came in and did a good job for the remainder of the year and then demonstarted why he was let go in Columbus. Columbus had good players and not really a goalie.

The way the olayers look on defense is that they are refusing to play their game but falling back on a game plan that sucks. Yet we have not seen one bit of a change in the game plan and why is that?

All this protect the coach crap is stupid. The coach has not even wanted to coach most of the season telling the guys to do their own meetings, at least earlier in the season.

Why is it Hitchcock coached some great teams and won only a single Cup and his play off resume otherwise is shoddy? Hot goaltending? Ineffectual?

The olayers need a leader who grabs their attention and gets it done. What else could be the problem? A GM that hastily goes out and hires a 42 year old goalie to back stop when he could have gotten in his best young goaltender his first look at the NHL and at the same time gave confidence to his rookie netminder?

I get if Allen got hurt that you would sign a veteran goaltender. Hitch always pulls the young guys out of the game and never the veterans. That is a grea, consistent message to have for your team. You are responsible for your play unless you have been in the league for so long.

Part of this core will be moved if they do not show something in the play offs. It will have to be done sooner or later because of the cap.

In the off season I would suggest firing the GM. He has been good at contracts to a point and then there is another point where you have to think why would you hose one of your best young players?

How about David Backes going after Duchene. Last season he jumped MacKinnon too. Does this guy have the balls to go toe to toe with somebody his size? He beat the piss out of Toews a few years ago too! In all honesty, I'm an Avs fan and don't like him going after our stars, but I do recognize that if you can get half-your-size Jonathan Toews to fight you, then you're very good at what you do. Love Backes on Team USA, hate facing him in the Avs division.
- scottblauweiss

He has fought Inginla a number of times of the years.

Duchense you could see was talking smack. But as long as you do not try to hurt someone bullying a team's better players is a good thing. Now if he sucker ounches one of the game's best players and hurts him then Backes has to go.

As for Tiews that coward likes to start stuff and only tries to finish it when another player jumps in and has Backes tied up. The one time he tried to really figt Backes on his own, which he started, he got his butt handed to him.

you're an idiot.
- Drij

Succinct and very telling comment if there ever was one. When I hear the truth I like to respond to it by closing my ears and telling the one delvering the truth an idiot. Bravo.

this BLUES squad has given up on Hitchcock that is why he needs to be FIRED before we may make any trades that would be for the benefit of the coach and not the team. If this BLUES squad does not respond the rest of the season... then i could see in the off season moving the core.

Merry Christmas to all... and may god bless and protect the troops so we can celebrate and remember what they do during the holidays. this time of the year and never forget what they do for us to protect our great nation! thank you USA military and everyone should thank a service member, veterans, firefighters, the police for what they do as well! THANK YOU!!
- bird diggler

You are welcome!

Eight years ago I got Christmas present during a night patrol from those turds in Mosul...they got us good with a large IED chalk full of ball bearings and the like. Thankfully the stryker held strong. A ballbearing went into the cvc(helmet with mic), of my squad leader but did not penetrate deeply.

Seven years ago I came back for the second time two days before Christmas. I could never get it out of my head that first night back, that as I looked at all of the Christmas decorations and went to the new Barnes and Noble in Fairbanks,Alaska and saw all the people warm, cheerful and content, that some thousands of miles a way some soldier was about to go out the wire and experiencing that momentary fear and realization that these could be the last moments of life.

Thanks for all of your help and patience over the years. The VA has been very helpful and everyday I am getting better minus the chronic back problem that will continue to degrade. But otherwise it has been great.

Merry Christmas to all of you! Many of you have become internet friends. I am proud to have such friends who share one of my passions--Let's Go Blues!!!

Shout out especially to Eggs, BeCall, Fatty,Gary, Birddigs, Jammer and Carcus. We have been suffering for years through the thin and thick of it.

Perhaps it is just a hiccup. Perhaps Hitch can get the job the done. We can strategize and vent our frustrations but we have no ability to change what happens out there. Some of swear after another lockout we will never support the NHL and still we come back. Not a bit of leverage to change things. We still cheer it on.

You are a the biggest coward douche of them all. A big internet tough guy. You know when I was in the infantry fighting in Iraq I never saw the likes of a coward like you by my side. But you think you can suggest I am a traitor? Your are a piece of turd, the kind that won't flush.

Just go away and stay away coward. No one wants a troll like you around. You worthless scum bag.
- BluemanGuruu

And a joyous Bergdahl to you!

tredbrta, don't. Blueman, don't.

There isn't a need for this nonsense now.

tredbrta, don't. Blueman, don't.

There isn't a need for this nonsense now.
- carcus

You're right. Pulled the post (most of it anyway). No purpose comparing measures with an obvious fobbit channeling his inner John Kerry.

Best wishes for your first Xmas with the new baby (son, right?). Hope wife and child are well.

I say we all meet up and catch a game together this season. It would be fun.