Jason Millen: Defensive mistakes doom Blues as the team gives away more points Defensive mistakes doom Blues as the team gives away more points

I've come to the conclusion that this is just about as good as it's going to get. Maybe the Blues just aren't a very good team? They are fun to watch, but they will drive you insane if you seriously think they can be a contender.

Parayko for Nylander

Parayko for Nylander
- mr.sir

Blues need D much more than O.

Blues need D much more than O.
- charlest

Agreed

This would force us to have to use JBo

Not so sure that Edmunson is the issue on the second goal. Hindsight being what it is, it was basically a 3 on 2, with Perron backchecking the original shooter. Schmaltz probably should have left the shooter for Johnson, and stuck to the man in the middle. Edmunson had Coyle at the dot.

Either way, it is one thing this team over the last couple of seasons seams to have a problem with. We make mistakes, the other team buries it. They make mistakes, we hit a goalie in the crest.

I think the problem lies with the head coach. The line combinations need to be adjusted before this team starts playing like one. No problem with O'Reilly centering Tarasenko and Schwartz but need to get Schenn back centering a second line with Perron and Fabbri. One other option to get some scoring may be trying Bozak on wing with Schenn and Perron. Steen is good but should be in a third line roll or penalty kill. Good to see Maroon off the pp and a healthy scratch, lol. Maroon, Steen and Sundqvist could be tried at line three. Thomas centering Barbashev and Soshnikov for a fourth line. Worth a try.
Dunn a must to run top pp unit as he will only get better.
Tarasenko needs to wipe that smile off his face when we are losing, just looks bad.

Not so sure that Edmunson is the issue on the second goal. Hindsight being what it is, it was basically a 3 on 2, with Perron backchecking the original shooter. Schmaltz probably should have left the shooter for Johnson, and stuck to the man in the middle. Edmunson had Coyle at the dot.

Either way, it is one thing this team over the last couple of seasons seams to have a problem with. We make mistakes, the other team buries it. They make mistakes, we hit a goalie in the crest.
- lastmanback

Watch it again with a more detailed take from me-

Schmaltz and Edmundson both start a hockey stop and reverse as the pass goes back to the left wing. Schmaltz can see/hear Edmundson hockey stop turning with him. Schmaltz should assume Emundson is cutting back to the middle.

https://imgur.com/a/bjvuijB


Edmundson does not, he opens his legs and feet to a 180 and basically glides with the Wild player on the right wing, sliding all the way down to the face-off dot. he is looking right at the play and still doesn't even cut to the middle until after the puck is being shot into the net.
https://imgur.com/a/DS2rnLq

I agree about Schmaltz leaving the shooter for Johnson but this defensive breakdown seems a result of two guys who have no real feel of how to play together and little to no experience together imho.

We make mistakes, the other team buries it. They make mistakes, we hit a goalie in the crest.
- lastmanback

I think people are not looking objectively at Robert Thomas' game. The kid should really be in the AHL but he can't be unfortunately. he is playing fine, especially considering his age, but he is far from even a third line center much less a 2nd line center. The reality is that he's at best really producing like a 4th line player right now.

I think people are not looking objectively at Robert Thomas' game. The kid should really be in the AHL but he can't be unfortunately. he is playing fine, especially considering his age, but he is far from even a third line center much less a 2nd line center. The reality is that he's at best really producing like a 4th line player right now.
- Jason Millen

They need to change that rule desperately.

He is not ready for the NHL IMO

But he is too good to be sent back to juniors