Randall Ritchey: Blues Dominated By Hawks, Lose First Game In The Central The St. Louis Blues have dominated the central division this year, but they were absolutely dominated tonight by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Ryan Miller never stood a chance as the Blues couldn't control any pucks, and between bad puck control, they were out of position more times than not and eventually lost by a large margin.

First!

The Blues can suck it!

First!

The Blues can suck it!
- EKolb13

2nd ....


The Blues are who we thought they were

Bad game. Wish it wouldn't have come against the Blackhawks, but those are going to happen from time to time.

Called it on the nhl.com poll as to which team was going to end the blues win streak. Blues are a scary good team, but the hawks are no pushovers. Going to be some crazy playoff games in the west this year.

Randall Ritchey: Blues Dominated By Hawks, Lose First Game In The Central
The St. Louis Blues have dominated the central division this year, but they were absolutely dominated tonight by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Ryan Miller never stood a chance as the Blues couldn't control any pucks, and between bad puck control, they were out of position more times than not and eventually lost by a large margin.
- Randall_Ritchey

2nd goal not controversial at all. Contact with puck clearly below crossbar. You got your buts handed to you, end of story.

I was at the game and it was much closer than the score would have you believe. I don't believe the Blues played poorly. I just think there were times when they were overwhelmed by Chicago's team speed. I think the physicality worked against them because they were often out of position trying to lay big hits.

2nd ....


The Blues are who we thought they were
- mrpaulish

The best team in the Central Division.

Blues clearly were disinterested in this game, while Hawks are in desperation mode to even get one series of home ice advantage. Blues beat the Hawks in all 3 games they actually cared about. Now that they are pretty secure in winning the division with a soft schedule till the end of the season, they clearly are coasting a little. No big deal. They aren't going to mail it in if come playoff time, although Blackhawks would have to beat Avs to even see the Blues, and that's not something the team likely to end up third best in the division has been able to do very often.

The best team in the Central Division.

Blues clearly were disinterested in this game, while Hawks are in desperation mode to even get one series of home ice advantage. Blues beat the Hawks in all 3 games they actually cared about. Now that they are pretty secure in winning the division with a soft schedule till the end of the season, they clearly are coasting a little. No big deal. They aren't going to mail it in if come playoff time, although Blackhawks would have to beat Avs to even see the Blues, and that's not something the team likely to end up third best in the division has been able to do very often.
- Antilles

The Blues lost tonight cuz they just weren't interested about the opponent huh? "Oh, its only the Blackhawks, lets take this one easy...." Wrong.

The best team in the Central Division.

Blues clearly were disinterested in this game, while Hawks are in desperation mode to even get one series of home ice advantage. Blues beat the Hawks in all 3 games they actually cared about. Now that they are pretty secure in winning the division with a soft schedule till the end of the season, they clearly are coasting a little. No big deal. They aren't going to mail it in if come playoff time, although Blackhawks would have to beat Avs to even see the Blues, and that's not something the team likely to end up third best in the division has been able to do very often.
- Antilles

So wrong. Hawks win 4-0. Blues win a game by a goal 3-2. Other two games are ties (yes the blues won the gimmic). Blues out played in large portions of all 4 games. I wouldn't go pounding your chest until they win a playoff series.

The best team in the Central Division.

Blues clearly were disinterested in this game, while Hawks are in desperation mode to even get one series of home ice advantage. Blues beat the Hawks in all 3 games they actually cared about. Now that they are pretty secure in winning the division with a soft schedule till the end of the season, they clearly are coasting a little. No big deal. They aren't going to mail it in if come playoff time, although Blackhawks would have to beat Avs to even see the Blues, and that's not something the team likely to end up third best in the division has been able to do very often.
- Antilles

I started writing something intelligent to counter the "disinterested" argument, but I realized it was a waste of time. You either won't get it or won't admit the truth.

The best team in the Central Division.

Blues clearly were disinterested in this game, while Hawks are in desperation mode to even get one series of home ice advantage. Blues beat the Hawks in all 3 games they actually cared about. Now that they are pretty secure in winning the division with a soft schedule till the end of the season, they clearly are coasting a little. No big deal. They aren't going to mail it in if come playoff time, although Blackhawks would have to beat Avs to even see the Blues, and that's not something the team likely to end up third best in the division has been able to do very often.
- Antilles

I still think the Blues are the best in the Central, but wow! No way they were disinterested in the game. If so, that is a big problem.

I still think the Blues are the best in the Central, but wow! No way they were disinterested in the game. If so, that is a big problem.


- carcus

Carcus you should stay over on our board. Usually much more intelligent conversation over there

Carcus you should stay over on our board. Usually much more intelligent conversation over there
- TheTrob

Now that's not entirely true either

Now that's not entirely true either
- Sandus

I post over there and usually get nothing but trash because of the Bluenote.

Just as if the Blues had won tonight, it's foolish to get excited either way about a regular season game.

We all know both teams are good. It's childish to try to argue about "who is the best in the Central"

They'll likely meet in the playoffs, and it will likely be a very good series that I'm sure we are all looking forward to.

Just as if the Blues had won tonight, it's foolish to get excited either way about a regular season game.

We all know both teams are good. It's childish to try to argue about "who is the best in the Central"

They'll likely meet in the playoffs, and it will likely be a very good series that I'm sure we are all looking forward to.
- patorioto

Agreed.

Two strong teams. Hope to see a playoff series. Blues will win the cup. Too strong a blue line and goalie. Although hawks are powerful and have done it before its the Blues time.

The best team in the Central Division.

Blues clearly were disinterested in this game, while Hawks are in desperation mode to even get one series of home ice advantage. Blues beat the Hawks in all 3 games they actually cared about. Now that they are pretty secure in winning the division with a soft schedule till the end of the season, they clearly are coasting a little. No big deal. They aren't going to mail it in if come playoff time, although Blackhawks would have to beat Avs to even see the Blues, and that's not something the team likely to end up third best in the division has been able to do very often.
- Antilles

What ever

The best team in the Central Division.

Blues clearly were disinterested in this game, while Hawks are in desperation mode to even get one series of home ice advantage. Blues beat the Hawks in all 3 games they actually cared about. Now that they are pretty secure in winning the division with a soft schedule till the end of the season, they clearly are coasting a little. No big deal. They aren't going to mail it in if come playoff time, although Blackhawks would have to beat Avs to even see the Blues, and that's not something the team likely to end up third best in the division has been able to do very often.
- Antilles

Talk about short lived regular season bravado... As a team with all those Cups under their belts and proven pedigree of winning in the playoffs clearly had the liberty to be so disinterested right?

If it were the playoffs Blues will be lucky to win one of those three games Hawks conceded to start the season.

Talk about short lived regular season bravado... As a team with all those Cups under their belts and proven pedigree of winning in the playoffs clearly had the liberty to be so disinterested right?

If it were the playoffs Blues will be lucky to win one of those three games Hawks conceded to start the season.
- busmaster

I actually would have been ok with that game if it were game one or two of a playoff round given the way the Blues carried the play physically. That was the kind of game that will wear the opposition down in a long series especially when it sidelines one of their softer skilled players. As was mentioned above, the game was actually fairly close except for a few untimely bad plays by Pietrangelo and a couple unnecessary penalties by Cole.

All the more reason why I don't know why Cole keeps getting starts. He is the one guy from last nights roster that I hope never sees any playoff action.

The best team in the Central Division.

Blues clearly were disinterested in this game, while Hawks are in desperation mode to even get one series of home ice advantage. Blues beat the Hawks in all 3 games they actually cared about. Now that they are pretty secure in winning the division with a soft schedule till the end of the season, they clearly are coasting a little. No big deal. They aren't going to mail it in if come playoff time, although Blackhawks would have to beat Avs to even see the Blues, and that's not something the team likely to end up third best in the division has been able to do very often.
- Antilles

Lets talk in a couple weeks. Upcoming 3 road games going to be tough for the blues. I wouldn't get too overconfident just yet

The best team in the Central Division.

Blues clearly were disinterested in this game, while Hawks are in desperation mode to even get one series of home ice advantage. Blues beat the Hawks in all 3 games they actually cared about. Now that they are pretty secure in winning the division with a soft schedule till the end of the season, they clearly are coasting a little. No big deal. They aren't going to mail it in if come playoff time, although Blackhawks would have to beat Avs to even see the Blues, and that's not something the team likely to end up third best in the division has been able to do very often.
- Antilles

If the Blues cant get up for their biggest rival then you may want to prepare for a quick exit in the post season

I actually would have been ok with that game if it were game one or two of a playoff round given the way the Blues carried the play physically. That was the kind of game that will wear the opposition down in a long series especially when it sidelines one of their softer skilled players. As was mentioned above, the game was actually fairly close except for a few untimely bad plays by Pietrangelo and a couple unnecessary penalties by Cole.

All the more reason why I don't know why Cole keeps getting starts. He is the one guy from last nights roster that I hope never sees any playoff action.
- fattyboubatty

I don't think the Blues carried the physical play, not at all. The first 3 games they did, not last night. The Soft skill player was injured in a freak accident. Wrong place, wrong time. It really had nothing to do with the Big Bad Blues.

What was perplexing was the Blues had a real good start to a difficult road game in a difficult place to play.

They were in good defensive positions, made good passes out of their zone and had the crowd very quiet in the early going.

The momentum changed after their first lousy power play and further deteriorated by Ian Cole's latest case of the yips. Come playoff time, he sits.

After that, the Blues were timid and played not to lose.

What has separated the Blues from teams like the Kings and Hawks is that their best players come to play and play in big games and the Blues best players do not.

Until that changes, nothing will change.

The Blues are in first place and a legit SC contender but the Hawks are the best team in the Central Division and will be until someone sends them home.