| Intermission | 1 | 2 | 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Louis Blues
|
2 | 0 | 2 | |
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Colorado Avalanche
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2 | 3 | 5 |
Blues At Snow Slides Third Period
by Brad Lee on Feb 8, 2010 10:10 PM CST
96 comments
96 comments | 0 recs
Blues @ Snowy Mountain Catastrophe GDT
by Brad Lee on Feb 8, 2010 8:20 PM CST
819 comments
Is the nickname Avalanche the oddest in professional sports? Sure Heat and Magic are odd and of course Maple Leafs. But an avalanche is a deadly force of nature that's awkward to write about in the plural. Maybe it's just me.
As we just learned in the pregame, T.J. Oshie is centering the top line with Andy McDonald and the Inglorious David Backes. Are the Blues learning to live without Paul Kariya? As John Kelly said, "When you don't score goals you need to change things up." Apparently changing the entire lineup is like out of the question, or something.
Kariya is down on the rejuvenation line with Jay McClement and B.J. Crombeen. Hopefully their healing powers still work.
The Avalanche are one of the surprising teams in the west (along with Phoenix) and arguably hold a playoff spot everyone thought the Blues would claim before the season. The Blues haven't always played well in Denver (remember the game two Decembers ago when Hannu Toivonen allowed some goals, was yanked, was put back in and allowed more in a huge loss? Yeah, fun times.
I'm still pissed about Saturday night. Discuss.
This is your game day thread, also known as group therapy. Let's work it out. Hi, my name is Brad and I'm a Blues fan.
819 comments | 0 recs |
02/08 Road Music: @ Colorado Avalanche
by CrossCheckRaise on Feb 8, 2010 6:06 AM CST
35 comments
This past 3-game span may have been good prep work for what lies ahead...
Look, I'm as disappointed as anyone about the losses to SJ and CHI, but I think that if you step back from the scoreboard, you can see some positives to take from those games (Why don't you take a good look at yourself and describe what you see). Overall, I think the Blues played pretty well with those two very talented teams. Not once did I get the feeling that we were being dominated. If you sat someone down and had them watch that last home game against CHI and edited out the goal-scoring, I don't think anyone would be able to tell which team was leading the other - it was that even. The final decision was determined by the fact that CHI made the most of their opportunities, and the Blues did not.
Having to face those opponents for 3 games in a row were an opportunity to fail on a spectacular level. And the Blues did not. Now, can they maintain that level of play against lesser opponents? Or will there be a measurable let-down? That is the question. If they keep up this tempo, and improve by finishing on the inevitable scoring chances that come, we will win.
Now, as for the enemy tonight...
Do not underestimate this Avalanche team. They have had a dramatic turn-around from last year. They started off very hot, cooled for a bit, but have now resumed some very competitive play, going 6-4-0 in their last 10 games. They have been bolstered by a white-hot goaltender in Craig Anderson. In the past month, he has established a 1.66 GAA and an ungodly .946 save percentage, including 3 shutouts. The dude is good. ("Hey, Boy, do you wanna score?" ) They have also brought in some young talent to their roster, names that you may have never heard before, but will definitely hear more about tonight, and in the future: Duchene, Galiardi, McLeod, O'Reilly, Stewart, Yip .... These guys area all making a serious contribution to the team, which figures to be the 4th youngest in the league. While they may be just benefiting from lowered expectations, it could also be said that ...
Folk down there really don't care,...Which, which way the pressure lies.
Misty Mountain Hop (live) / Led Zeppelin
Further Reading:
And, as always, this is your pre-game pre-party. The puck drops at 8:30 St Louis time. Until then, gather here, chat about the Super Bowl, rate the various ads, and discuss the usefulness of aquatic animals as sex toys.
Until then ... remember when Craig Anderson was only known for checking out the ice girls?
LGB!
-CrossCheckRaise
35 comments | 0 recs
Monday links: Hangover Monday follows Super Sunday edition
by averagejoe on Feb 8, 2010 5:00 AM CST
11 comments
Some game yesterday, huh? Team falls behind early and refuses to give up. In a battle of star players, the one without the ring simply stepped up and took over the game. Helluva win by Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals. Oh ... did you think I was talking about something else?
Blues news
- Blues vs. Avalanche tonight. Thankfully, it's a road game. [ESPN]
- The Blues are struggling to close out games. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
- The organ-I zation are still expecting big things out of Lars Eller and Erik Johnson. [Belleville News-Democrat]
- Alex Steen is comfortable in St. Louis. And, he's kicking ass so much, I'm not going to mention his beak. [Blues]
Hockey news
- Sunday results. [Yahoo! Sports]
- Monday's games. [Yahoo! Sports]
- The highlight of my day yesterday was watching Penguins/Capitals. Great game, great finish. Alex Ovechkin is insanely talented. [Japers' Rink]
- Are the leaders of the Oilers asleep as the wheel? [The Copper and Blue]
- Now that Ilya Kovalchuk is off the market, who is now likely to move? Some average guys. [ESPN]
- Hildy's favorite goalie, Kari Lehtonen, has been recalled. [TSN]
- Niclas Wallin has been traded from the Hurricanes to the Sharks for some draft picks. [TSN]
Other links
- Want to watch Super Bowl commercials ... again. Go here. [Hulu]
- Truly ironic signs, not Alanis irony — real irony. [Holy Taco]
- David Caruso only exists to be the object of ridicule. [Screen Junkies]
Videos
I'm not trying to make fun of the person who took the time to make this video. I'm really not. The song choice, however ... well, enjoy the return of music Monday with a Blues twist.
gametimelinks(at)gmail.com. Welcome to another work week. How you packed your snow boots.
11 comments | 0 recs |
Blues Prospects "Trending Up" for the week ending Feb. 6, 2010
by Tomorrows Blues on Feb 7, 2010 1:30 PM CST
in Game Time Prospect Department
1 comment
Compiled by Brian Weidler, "Game Time" Prospect Department
"Game Time" takes a look at five of the Blues' prospects who have performed above and beyond the others over the last seven days.
See the Game Time Fab Five for this week, after the jump...
1 comment | 0 recs |
Defense/Goaltending Prospect Statistics as of 02-06-10
by Tomorrows Blues on Feb 7, 2010 9:00 AM CST
in Game Time Prospect Department
0 comments
Compiled by Brian Weidler, "Game Time" Prospect Department
St. Louis Game Time PROSPECT SUNDAYS
The "Game Time" spotlight shone last week on a pair of defensemen who were first-round selections by the Blues in recent drafts. This week, some later selections take their turn on center stage.
In two games this week for Luleå HF of the Swedish Elite League (Elitserien), 2008 fifth-rounder (125th overall) Kristofer Berglund chipped in a goal and added a pair of assists -- all in a 4-1 victory over MODO Hockey, Peter Forsberg's former club, on Feb. 4. Two nights later, Luleå HF dropped a 2-1 decision to Brynäs IF, in which Berglund was held off the scoresheet entirely.
Meanwhile, back on this side of the pond, 2009 sixth rounder (168th overall) David Sheilds didn't find the back of the net himself, but chipped in three assists -- and a solid plus-4 rating -- in three games while helping the Erie Otters to wins over Saginaw and OHL powerhouse Windsor this past week.
Not to be outdone, the high draft picks on defense had decent weeks as well; Alex Pietrangelo, in particular, picked up a goal and two assists in three OHL games, and also tallied four assists and a whopping plus-9 while serving as captain of the Eastern Conference squad in a 17-10 OHL All-Star Game victory for the Beasts from the East.
For the third consecutive week, however, the organization's goaltending prospects came up a little short... except for top goalie prospect Jake Allen.
Allen won two of three starts for Drummondville (QMJHL) this week, allowing just seven goals on 74 shots in 171 minutes of action for a 2.46 GAA and 90.5% save percentage. For the season, split between Montreal and Drummondville, Allen has a 2.66 GAA, 90.7% save percentage, and a 16-14-0 record.
The Blues' other three top goalie prospects -- Ben Bishop (Peoria/AHL), Paul Karpowich (Clarkson/ECAC) and Hannu Toivonen (Peoria/AHL) -- allowed 20 goals on 131 shots in 317 total minutes played, while posting a combined 1-4-1 win-loss record.
Those numbers equate to a combined 3.79 goals-against average, and an 84.7% save percentage, for the week. Once again, no update is available for Swiss prospect Reto Berra.
Your Game Time weekly prospect statistics update after the jump...
0 comments | 0 recs |
Forward Prospect Statistics as of 02-06-10
by Tomorrows Blues on Feb 7, 2010 8:45 AM CST
in Game Time Prospect Department
3 comments
Compiled by Brian Weidler, "Game Time" Prospect Department
St. Louis Game Time PROSPECT SUNDAYS
Some of the Blues' lesser-known forward prospects moved to the forefront over the last seven days, and one prospect who has led his league in scoring all season remains at the top of the leader board in his circuit.
Center Nicholas Drazenovic (171st overall, 2005) scored a pair of goals, and chipped in an assist as well, despite the Rivermen posting only a 1-2-1 record over the last seven days. The Prince George, BC native tallied Peoria's only goal of the game in a 2-1 SO loss to division-leading Texas on Jan. 31 at home, and scored again on Feb. 5 in a 6-3 win over the Stars in Austin.
Meanwhile, in the United States League, Minnesota-born Max Tardy picked up an unassisted goal in overtime on Feb. 6 to lead the Tri-City (Kearney, NE) Storm to a 3-2 win over the Cedar Rapids (IA) Roughriders. Tardy also tallied a power-play goals for the Storm on Feb. 3 in a 7-5 loss at Green Bay, but was a minus-5 for the game thanks to three goals in 54 seconds by the Gamblers during the first period.
Across the pond, Jori Lehtera continues to lead the Finnish Elite League (SM-Liiga) in scoring at the tender age of 21. The 65th pick overall in 2008 has a solid 18-35-53 scoring line in 43 games for Tappara Tampere, and his plus-4 mark, 50 PIM, and eight power-play tallies speak to his all-around game.
Your Game Time weekly prospect statistics update after the jump...
3 comments | 0 recs |
Sunday links: Blowing the whistle because you can't see the puck is never a good idea edition
by averagejoe on Feb 7, 2010 5:00 AM CST
13 comments
It's funny, on a night when the Blues were on the power play nine times, that after the game I felt like the refs had screwed the team. Nice whistle, asshole.
Oh, hello. This is Weekend Daddy right now. Since he's busy, I'm putting on my blogging slippers and doing the Sunday thing. You ready?
Blues news
- Blues loss to Chicago 2-1. If you read my comments in the Game Day Thread, you may know that I'm a bit pessimist. However, I couldn't fit in with the assclowns that comment on the PD site. Every loss is on Brewer, Jackman and Tkachuk — never mind that all three had very good games. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
- Antti Niemi was very, very sharp last night. [Chicago Sun-Times]
- The Blues made a run at Ilya Kovalchuk, but balked at including T.J. Oshie. I really like the way Oshie plays, but I see him developing into a shut-down two-way player who puts up 40 to 50 points a year. Yeah that's great, but 50 goals > 50 points. I'm beginning to think young Osh is seriously overvalued by brass because he's a fan favorite. [Belleville News-Democrat]
- Ty Conklin has a sweet hat and mustache. He does not have a sweet home record. [USA Today]
- Erik Johnson, who has shown flashes of being worthy of the No. 1 overall pick and flashes of just being average, is focusing on playing defense. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
- To get you ready for prospect Sunday ... an article on David Warsofsky. [Boston Herald]
Hockey news
- Scores from Saturday. [Yahoo! Sports]
- Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! games. [Yahoo! Sports]
- Jean-Sebastien Giguere is shutting teams out like it's his job. I mean, it is his job and all, but Vesa Toskala wasn't doing it. [Pension Plan Puppets]
- Good news: Jordin Tootoo signed an extension with Nashville meaning we get to see his annoying ass all the time still. [TSN]
- The Red Wings have given up on Ville Leino, dealing him to the Flyers for Ole-Kristian Tollefsen and a fifth-round pick in the 2011 NHL draft. [TSN]
- The Leafs remembered Brendan Burke and Mark Reedy last night. [ESPN]
- Pierre LeBrun talks pucks. [ESPN]
Other links
- What to do today on Super Bowl Sunday? Some good advice, especially if you are from Detroit. [Holy Taco]
- A caffeinated maple bacon-flavored lollipop exists. [Lollyphile!]
- If you hadn't heard, the Super Bowl is today. My prediction? Colts win going away, Manning named MVP, most of the commercials will suck and The Who will be old and shitty. I like to go out on limbs. [NFL]
VIdeo
This is nightmare fuel. Why does he wear underwear with his suit pants ... and then go pantsless? Oh and I fucking hate American Idol. Just needed to be said.
gametimelinks(at)gmail.com
Prospect Sunday's comin atcha!
13 comments | 0 recs |
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Next 5 Games
|
Detroit
|
Tue 02/09 | 7:00 PM CST |
|
Toronto
|
Fri 02/12 | 7:00 PM CST |
|
Washington
|
Sat 02/13 | 7:00 PM CST |
|
@
Phoenix
|
Tue 03/02 | 8:00 PM CST |
|
@
Dallas
|
Thu 03/04 | 7:30 PM CST |
Last 5 Games
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@
Colorado
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Mon 02/08 | 8:30 PM CST |
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Chicago
|
Sat 02/06 | L 1 - 2 |
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San Jose
|
Thu 02/04 | L 2 - 4 |
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@
Chicago
|
Wed 02/03 | W 3 - 2 |
|
Columbus
|
Sat 01/30 | OT - L 2 - 3 |
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