Randall Ritchey: Elliott Shines In Shootout Win Brian Elliott was outstanding during today's 2-1 shootout victory over the Florida Panthers, stopping 40-of-41 shots on goal. The Blues gain ground on Nashville, and keep their four point lead over Chicago in the standings.

Thank you Randall for the insight, but ALL of us as Blues fans have seen that already. Jaskin took his spot. he got beat my a younger hungrier player.

Elliot played GREAT TONIGHT. Luongo also played great tonight
Lou is happy to be playing in miami instead of the bs of vancouver, he led that team to a finals birth and was put down for the loss. Boston was the better team that year.


Great play tonight from our team.

I wouldn't say its highly unlikely that Jackman passes Federko's number of games played. It would not surprise me to see Jax in the blue note for another two full seasons.

I'd have to classify this game as a step backward after a great performance on Thursday.

I thought the fourth line was magnificent tonight, particularly Reaves. He really can skate for a big fella.

You'd really like to see us win a close game like this in regulation. That's how winning is done come playoff time. Nonetheless we will take the 2 points. I'm looking forward to our home stand against the Eastern powers. I'd like to see us run the table.

So, Jaden Schwartz is the real deal, eh? 25 goals last year and already 20 this year? Geez, great find (if you can call a 1st round selection, 14th overall, a find).

If you guys don't reach the Cup finals this year, how do you guys see management handling it? Who's out, or where are the changes made. I assume anything less than a championship (conference or Cup) is a disappointment for your core group.

Thank you Randall for the insight, but ALL of us as Blues fans have seen that already. Jaskin took his spot. he got beat my a younger hungrier player.

Elliot played GREAT TONIGHT. Luongo also played great tonight
Lou is happy to be playing in miami instead of the bs of vancouver, he led that team to a finals birth and was put down for the loss. Boston was the better team that year.


Great play tonight from our team.
- BluesDroogie

Glad to see Elliott thrive. By all accounts, the guy was standup when he was in Ottawa, never complaining about his role and always doing what was best for the team.

You guys are my pick to win it all this year. Able to win even when not playing the best.

You guys are my pick to win it all this year. Able to win even when not playing the best.
- FLflames34

Mine too. I hate to start so early, but I'm back to have a 'playoff team' I cheer for, seeings how the Sens won't make it this year

Mine too. I hate to start so early, but I'm back to have a 'playoff team' I cheer for, seeings how the Sens won't make it this year
- KarlKarlsson

Honestly, if/when Calgary is out of it, I will definitely be pulling for St Lou. Elliott is a remarkable story, doubted thrice (trade from OTT, acquisition of Halak, acquisition of Miller) yet proved to be most consistent. And how about Steen turning into a perennial 20 goal scorer, the top 4 D (J Bo can now be quietly effective again) and Tarasenko. A fun assortment of stories, reclaimation projects, and would be fun to see them make a run. Plus, it is nice that the franchise is constantly relevant for the first time since the CuJo days. Always wanted them to take out the hated Wings. And the expansion team making the final with an old man Hall as an expansion team, damn remarkable.

I hope they do well this year.

I wouldn't say its highly unlikely that Jackman passes Federko's number of games played. It would not surprise me to see Jax in the blue note for another two full seasons.

I'd have to classify this game as a step backward after a great performance on Thursday.

I thought the fourth line was magnificent tonight, particularly Reaves. He really can skate for a big fella.

You'd really like to see us win a close game like this in regulation. That's how winning is done come playoff time. Nonetheless we will take the 2 points. I'm looking forward to our home stand against the Eastern powers. I'd like to see us run the table.
- Yeah Boyes

I cannot really agree with you. I thought the Blues played two really good periods and the miracle was their dominance did cause the Panthers to take a penalty. Considering the calls the Blues had against them, and they were the right calls I was shocked that even a two hander knocking Tarasenko's glove off did not result in a call as well as couple of hooks and whacks when the Blues had great scorin chances.

This game was about great goaltending and the desperation the Panthers had in the third period to get points as the season winds down and they chase Boston.

I did not think the fourth line was all that good. In the first they seemed good but they also chased a lot in their own end. It got me to thnking who is causing this? Is Ott or Reaves more to blame? It is a big issue as the Blues rely on four lines but the fourth is only as good as their time in the other ends zone. I am most impressed with Goc. Reaves had a golden chance. But they get caught too deep and do not have the speed against teams that have speed to catch up well on the backcheck, which the Blues rely upon for their defensive play. Aka, no backcheck the back in and give that tall guy with a ton of constants in his name Bjusgsted(i know i butchered that), a golden chance.

if Lou was not so good in the first two periods the game would have taken on a different complexity.

Gruabberson(sp?), really impressed me this game. Man he skates so well and was laying into the Blues forwards with huge hits. I could not help fantasizing what he would look like as a Blues player and who I would be willing to move for him if I were the GM.

The Blues played a solid road game. The third period was masterfully played by Florida. Their pinches were well timed and in their deperation threw everything at the net. nToo many times the Blues tried to make the extra pass in scoring areas which is a theme lately.

And Cole man his oass was way off the mark.

Honestly, if/when Calgary is out of it, I will definitely be pulling for St Lou. Elliott is a remarkable story, doubted thrice (trade from OTT, acquisition of Halak, acquisition of Miller) yet proved to be most consistent. And how about Steen turning into a perennial 20 goal scorer, the top 4 D (J Bo can now be quietly effective again) and Tarasenko. A fun assortment of stories, reclaimation projects, and would be fun to see them make a run. Plus, it is nice that the franchise is constantly relevant for the first time since the CuJo days. Always wanted them to take out the hated Wings. And the expansion team making the final with an old man Hall as an expansion team, damn remarkable.

I hope they do well this year.
- FLflames34

I believe the Blues were relevant for a long time after the Cujo days and were favored to win the Cup before the last rebuild the year of the lock out. Then the walmart family gutted the team, let Demitra walk for nothing and traded Pronger for nothing. The Blues have been good for three years now. It is not like the Kings or Hawks stomped them in the olay offs the last two seasons. Last year we had a ton of injuries to the top nine and Seabrook took Backes out.

Elliott was dished from two teams, Ottawa and Colorado as a starter. Then signed with the Blues and supposedly out dueled Bishop for the back up. During the lockout he was so bad he was sent to the minors and since then has been solid.

I do not know who else on the team is a reclamation project. Lindstrom but he has so far failed yet again to make a career in the NHL as Randal aptly pointed out.

Wel put Randal. I agree with what you said about Lindstrom. He has the hockey iq but his thinking is a tick too slow for the NHL. He is a perimeter player and they can find ways to make livings in the eastern conference and even there it is becoming rarer. If the league was still guarding against the clutching and grabbing as they were a few years ago I think Lindstrom might have a bigger impact. But that is not the case.

Scary move the Preds made. I wanted the Blues to make that deal and I was thinking the cost would be higher.

Wel put Randal. I agree with what you said about Lindstrom. He has the hockey iq but his thinking is a tick too slow for the NHL. He is a perimeter player and they can find ways to make livings in the eastern conference and even there it is becoming rarer. If the league was still guarding against the clutching and grabbing as they were a few years ago I think Lindstrom might have a bigger impact. But that is not the case.

Scary move the Preds made. I wanted the Blues to make that deal and I was thinking the cost would be higher.
- BluemanGuruu

Hell of a defense they're building down there in Florida.

I can't believe it's only mid February and this many guys have already been moved. I was not expecting Franson and Santorelli to go to Nashville. I guess they don't expect Ellis to be back anytime soon. Easy move to make though, they both already have a history with the Preds so they should fit back in seamlessly.

Yeah I was wishing the Blues would have been in on those two but that price was pretty steep. I would not have been willing to part with a solid prospect and a first as well as a roster player.

I'm thinking the best move at this point is to stay the course with what we have and maybe package Berglund at the draft and try to get a low first, high second rounder. Clear some salary, make room for Fabbri, and recoup the pick lost to Buffalo.

Glad to see Elliott thrive. By all accounts, the guy was standup when he was in Ottawa, never complaining about his role and always doing what was best for the team.
- KarlKarlsson

never once in his role here in st louis has he been known to grpe about his role. Elliot is a character guy that only wants his team to win. That is st louis hockey and he is loved and under appreciated

I cannot really agree with you. I thought the Blues played two really good periods and the miracle was their dominance did cause the Panthers to take a penalty. Considering the calls the Blues had against them, and they were the right calls I was shocked that even a two hander knocking Tarasenko's glove off did not result in a call as well as couple of hooks and whacks when the Blues had great scorin chances.

This game was about great goaltending and the desperation the Panthers had in the third period to get points as the season winds down and they chase Boston.

I did not think the fourth line was all that good. In the first they seemed good but they also chased a lot in their own end. It got me to thnking who is causing this? Is Ott or Reaves more to blame? It is a big issue as the Blues rely on four lines but the fourth is only as good as their time in the other ends zone. I am most impressed with Goc. Reaves had a golden chance. But they get caught too deep and do not have the speed against teams that have speed to catch up well on the backcheck, which the Blues rely upon for their defensive play. Aka, no backcheck the back in and give that tall guy with a ton of constants in his name Bjusgsted(i know i butchered that), a golden chance.

if Lou was not so good in the first two periods the game would have taken on a different complexity.

Gruabberson(sp?), really impressed me this game. Man he skates so well and was laying into the Blues forwards with huge hits. I could not help fantasizing what he would look like as a Blues player and who I would be willing to move for him if I were the GM.

The Blues played a solid road game. The third period was masterfully played by Florida. Their pinches were well timed and in their deperation threw everything at the net. nToo many times the Blues tried to make the extra pass in scoring areas which is a theme lately.

And Cole man his oass was way off the mark.
- BluemanGuruu

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.

never once in his role here in st louis has he been known to grpe about his role. Elliot is a character guy that only wants his team to win. That is st louis hockey and he is loved and under appreciated
- BluesDroogie

#1 on the jersey, #1 in the net, #1 in our hearts

Hell of a defense they're building down there in Florida.

I can't believe it's only mid February and this many guys have already been moved. I was not expecting Franson and Santorelli to go to Nashville. I guess they don't expect Ellis to be back anytime soon. Easy move to make though, they both already have a history with the Preds so they should fit back in seamlessly.

Yeah I was wishing the Blues would have been in on those two but that price was pretty steep. I would not have been willing to part with a solid prospect and a first as well as a roster player.

I'm thinking the best move at this point is to stay the course with what we have and maybe package Berglund at the draft and try to get a low first, high second rounder. Clear some salary, make room for Fabbri, and recoup the pick lost to Buffalo.
- fattyboubatty

I agree with staying the course. We made two big deadline deals the last two years and didn't make it out of the WCQF. I think this is the best team we've had since the lockout so let's give these guys a chance at a serious playoff run. I think we have sacrificed enough first round picks already.

I'm not a big fan of the trade Nashville made. Neither Franson or Santorelli are what I would describe as game breakers and they gave up quite a bit for a couple of UFAs.

I agree with staying the course. We made two big deadline deals the last two years and didn't make it out of the WCQF. I think this is the best team we've had since the lockout so let's give these guys a chance at a serious playoff run. I think we have sacrificed enough first round picks already.

I'm not a big fan of the trade Nashville made. Neither Franson or Santorelli are what I would describe as game breakers and they gave up quite a bit for a couple of UFAs.
- Yeah Boyes

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.

Randall, the amount of time/space recently had been over the top regarding Lindstrom. The weird thing is he has not played but a handful of games (because of injury) recently and has been an extra/healthy scratch for basically the last couple of months.

Basically he should be an afterthought as he is a cheap extra. I was hoping he would have been better before the season started and would have been a bargain if he did pan out. Since he didn't, he is just cheap depth that at least had NHL experience.

Just strange that you have brought him up and basically blasted him a couple of times recently.

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?

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

Is this just you poking the bear or is this a strategy to get more than one blog this week?

Thank you Randall for the insight, but ALL of us as Blues fans have seen that already. Jaskin took his spot. he got beat my a younger hungrier player.

Elliot played GREAT TONIGHT. Luongo also played great tonight
Lou is happy to be playing in miami instead of the bs of vancouver, he led that team to a finals birth and was put down for the loss. Boston was the better team that year.


Great play tonight from our team.
- BluesDroogie

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.

Evidently Berglund hurt his leg at practice and needed to be helped off the ice.

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

For some reason I see a forward depth move too, maybe Vitale?

I agree about the veteran D move - Maybe a move like the Robidas or Meszaros deals last year.

For some reason I see a forward depth move too, maybe Vitale?

I agree about the veteran D move - Maybe a move like the Robidas or Meszaros deals last year.
- stljam

Yeah I could see them making a depth move or two on the cheap. Although they will get some back soon with Porter set to return. Lindstrom may very well have seen his last action in the NHL.

Yeah I could see them making a depth move or two on the cheap. Although they will get some back soon with Porter set to return. Lindstrom may very well have seen his last action in the NHL.
- fattyboubatty

with our team yeah, someone will pick him up