Blues At Canucks Live Blog
by Brad Lee on Mar 8, 2008 6:31 PM CST
53 comments
By Brad Lee
It sucks that those of us in St. Louis blessed with sparkling personalities and good looks NHL Center Ice can't watch the Blues on the Hockey Night In Canada broadcast. They're not on the revered program very often. Regardless, they get blacked out every time because the game is always on locally. That means we're forced to watch John stare oddly at Bernie while he talks in between periods and then during the game hear, "Manny had no chance at stopping that puck. I don't think he ever saw it" about four times a game.
We're going to give this our best effort to keep the live blog going tonight, but I have a feeling that I might have a few interuptions. We'll still have posts per period open for comments and as much live bloggy goodness as we can muster for a 13th place team playing on the road against a team actually fighting for the playoffs.
Part of the NHL.com preview written by the Associated Press:
- Vancouver will try to pull even with at least eighth-Nashville, but will likely have to do it without defensemen Mattias Ohlund, Aaron Miller and Kevin Bieksa. Ohlund, who leads all Canucks blueliners with 22 points, missed Thursday's win and is expected to be out at least four-to-six days with bone chips in his left knee, which could require season-ending surgery.
- The potential absences could add more pressure on Roberto Luongo, who made 21 saves against Nashville. The goaltender is 1-2-2 with a 2.66 goals-against average in his last five starts, but he is 3-0-2 with a 1.97 GAA in his last five at home.
- Luongo has won three consecutive meetings against the Blues (29-28-10) at GM Place, posting a 1.93 GAA.
- The Blues, who are 13th in the conference and fading from the playoff race, are looking to rebound from a 4-1 loss at NHL-leading Detroit on Wednesday, which opened their franchise-record, nine-game road trip. The defeat came one night after a 3-2 victory over conference-worst Los Angeles - their only win in the last eight games (1-6-1).
We'll be back close to game time (9 p.m. CST) for the next few steps in the long, slow, painful march to the end of the season. Let's Go Blues!
Pregame:
"The Blues can't lose anymore games. They have to clutch and grab and do whatever it takes to win," Federko said. Holy. Fucking. Shit. That's wrong on so many levels.
- The playoff chase is over, Bernmeister.
- Clutching and grabbing, as we have seen, does not lead to winning.
- Even the Blues management has conceded the playoffs aren't happening. They're probably scratching Rucinsky for most if not all of the rest of the season.
As our own Answer Man alluded to in the comments, D.J. Dwayne and Cammy Jaannsseenn are both playing tonight, possibly on the same line.
Since 8 p.m. I've had shrimp lo mein, some chicken fried rice and three Bud Lights. And now we get to hear the end of O' Canada, a GREAT anthem.
20:00 The White Jamal Mayers is centering Tkachuk and Kariya. You've gotta be kidding me.
19:20 line change less than 40 seconds in. Nice.
18:36 Let me get this out of the way right now: Vancouver Canuck fans who hang out on the Internet are the dumbest, least informed hockey "fans" I've ever seen. And it's not just the Bud Light talking. I'm opening a Bud Select now.
16:55 Mayers, King and the White Mayers are on a line. Double shifting the White Mayers? Andy Murray is a crazed dictator who must be stopped.
15:45 Vancouver with the power play, and it might be a 5-3 immediately.
Are the comments broke? I just tried to make one and got a, "you are trying to make comments too quickly message."
"That's a questionable call right there," Bernie says.
15:05 There is 1:09 on the 5-3 and the Blues get ANOTHER call. Brewer for cross checking. How many homer refs does this game have? Do they get a free Tim Hortons gift card with every American penalty or something.
OH SHIT. Just realized, all three Blues in the box are defensemen.
13:30 And not surprisingly, the Canucks score a power play goal from the point from Ohlund. "This is minimal damage," Federko says. All the Blues are out of the box. Meh. They're still losing and Federko thinks they have to win this game. Do they do drug tests for announcers?
12:36 Stempniak just wristed a shot right at the shamu on Luongo's chest. No idea how he made that save.
And I still can't comment in my own live blog. $20 says a Red Wing fan is trying to hack us.
11:45 Boyes, Perron and Stempniak. Interesting. If Lee can't score on this line, he'll never do it.
10:02 Backes, McDonald and Kariya now. Murray has to have a hat with names in it. I can't wait for a Jannsseenn, Mayers and Kariya line or some bullshit. Pardon me while I find another beer.
Gift Says:
March 8th, 2008 at 9:28 pm e
Wow, my comment left everyone speechless.
Every time I try to leave a comment, I get the message saying I'm posting them too fast, meaning too many close together.
9:04 We have a Cammy sighting. He's actually on the ice. Glad he packed a stick and skates for the trip.
8:35 "Learning to play defense in the NHL is the hardest position to learn as a rookie in any sport," Kelly said. Ryan Leaf begs to differ.
7:30 I get dizzy watching the Nucks cycle the puck in the corner.
6:02
Gift Says:
March 8th, 2008 at 9:34 pm e
Wow, Duke and Carolina are tied. Duke played terrible in the first half.
Not as bad as a soccer snob chat, but walking a dangerous off-topic line there, Gifty. Tell us how you feel about the Cardinals losing 20-6 today.
4:51 What a time to take a piss break. Missed the Perron breakaway (stopped by Luongo) and then our Boyes scored on a nifty pass from behind the net from Tkachuk. "And suddenly, it's 1-1."
3:33 Boyes has an outside shot at 50. There, I said it.
Gift Says:
March 8th, 2008 at 9:40 pm e
Could the Blues use a Fruit Euro like Naslund next year?
You think the big-headed Sedin twins would allow him to leave? Doubt it. The Blues talked about signing him back in the early 90s.
2:39 The Canucks haven't lost three straight in regulation all year, best in the NHL, Bernie said. Most contrived stat. Ever.
2:01 Kelly is now mentioning no calls. Fair nuff, considering the Blues don't even have a stinking power play yet.
And Naslund missed the net while Legace was buying cotton candy in the stands. I'd say no sale.
0:55 "Those Sedin twins are slippery to say the least," Federko said. Do they put baby oil all over themselves or something?
END OF THE PERIOD, tied 1-1.
We'll let you know when the next post is up.
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Weird, but saying the “Blues are fading from the playoff race” is actually kind of a compliment, considering the way they’ve actually played lately.
by gallagher on Mar 8, 2008 6:52 PM CST reply actions
Am I the only one who will be sweatty, shirtles, pumped up, sitting with other Dudes (possibly shirtless as well) with a “chub” knowing that King and Janssen are going to be on the same line tonight?
I can’t contain myself. I’m off to the gym and will be back after my shower and post workout shake comprised of a ratio that is 3 to 1 carbs to protein.
Not only that, Rucinsky is going to be watching from the press box. I gotta go, my creatine is kicking in. See you mofo’s (if Answer Mom isn’t in her late night chat room) at 9:00’ish
by Answer Man on Mar 8, 2008 6:59 PM CST reply actions
An AM sighting in a live blog on a Saturday night significantly ups the enjoyment level for this dude.
by Brad Lee on Mar 8, 2008 7:44 PM CST reply actions
In forty years of watching hockey live and on TV, I still have yet to have the privilege of seeing a HNIC broadcast. My dream as a journalist and communications major is to see the Blues kick someone’s ass on HNIC just once before I croak…
No Rivermen game tonight, so I’ll hang out for a while. Mrs. Prospect Department gets home from work at around 10:00, though, so there’s a possibility that your Game Time Prospect Department might be doing a little “prospecting” later this evening, if you get my meaning… ;-)
B.
by GT Prospect Department on Mar 8, 2008 7:50 PM CST reply actions
Oh, God – I just saw the “Fuck Detroit” message under the title heading. That’s excellent.
by Adam Duke on Mar 8, 2008 7:56 PM CST reply actions
Dooks wrote:
“no getting up at 3 a.m. this time?”
==
Nope, not this week. I was actually supposed to work tonight, but I’m playing hooky (sort of); I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time in the loo today due to a stomach ailment, so I wasn’t keen on the idea of riding around on a standup lift truck counting inventory, five minutes away from the nearest toilet…
I’ll have to work Monday, naturally, but I’m not working anywhere but in my attic this weekend; Mrs. PD and I are putting in some closets, etc. in preparation for moving our li’l love nest up there…
B.
by GT Prospect Department on Mar 8, 2008 8:36 PM CST reply actions
Bernie’s tie looks like it has Bugles snack chips drawn on it
by Dooks on Mar 8, 2008 9:02 PM CST reply actions
wow, Vancouver has 4 defensemen on the DL. looks like we’ll have more chances on Luongo then in previous games
by Dooks on Mar 8, 2008 9:04 PM CST reply actions
dammit, not a Dobbs Skeletor commercial again. they actually had a good streak without showing that narsty bitch
by Dooks on Mar 8, 2008 9:06 PM CST reply actions
a bloated-ass Inigo Montoya singing the anthem tonight
by Dooks on Mar 8, 2008 9:09 PM CST reply actions
holy crap!
Tkachuk, R.Johnson, Mayers
King, Perron, Janssen
by Dooks on Mar 8, 2008 9:16 PM CST reply actions
From that STLtoday link above:
"…we ahve learned that Blues prospect TJ Oshie can not play in St. Louis this season. I spoke to Peoria GM Kevin McDonald today and he said the rule is tied to a player’s age when he signs a pro contract.
"For any player 21 or older who plays in one NHL game, it counts as an entire season toward their contract…Oshie turned 21 last December. When his season ends at the University of North Dakota, he could decide to sign a professional tryout contract and participate in the AHL playoffs with the Rivermen…That’s exactly what David Backes did a few years ago, and everyone in the organization (and Backes) agreed that it helped him immensely.
I wasn’t fully aware of all of that information previously – knowledge is power. Or so I’ve heard.
by Adam Duke on Mar 8, 2008 9:18 PM CST reply actions
Hate to agree with Bernie, but he’s right. Could have been much worse than allowing only one goal after having 1/2 of the defense in the box at the same time.
And Manny didn’t see it.
by Gift on Mar 8, 2008 9:20 PM CST reply actions
no i was just thinking about how anybody could figure out any other math that tells you wins divided by games played gets you a winning pct. i’m stuck.
by Chris D. on Mar 8, 2008 9:31 PM CST reply actions
Personally, I feel that it’s way too easy to overthink line pairings.
Boyes – Tkachuk – Kariya (it’s worked before, why did they change?)
Perron – McDonald – Stempniak
Backes – McClement – Mayers
King – Johnson – Janssen
How is that hard?
by gallagher on Mar 8, 2008 9:32 PM CST reply actions
Wow, Duke and Carolina are tied. Duke played terrible in the first half.
by Gift on Mar 8, 2008 9:34 PM CST reply actions
well i think maybe put backes at center on the first line or definitely have him on the second. otherwise too many small players on the same line.
by Chris D. on Mar 8, 2008 9:37 PM CST reply actions
bout time the blues took a period off but saved it with 3 mnutes of work!
by Childhood Trauma on Mar 8, 2008 9:39 PM CST reply actions
Do you think Bernie will say Boyes has an outside shot at 50?
by Gift on Mar 8, 2008 9:40 PM CST reply actions
Could the Blues use a Fruit Euro like Naslund next year?
by Gift on Mar 8, 2008 9:40 PM CST reply actions
so they really didn’t really take a period off, i mean a period is 20 minutes long correct?
by Chris D. on Mar 8, 2008 9:40 PM CST reply actions
Two field goals by the guy from Aquinas for the 6 for the Cardinals, or did he miss an extra point?
by Gift on Mar 8, 2008 9:41 PM CST reply actions
or is that the same math that makes you think the blues are over .500?
by Chris D. on Mar 8, 2008 9:41 PM CST reply actions
yep. still time this period to let up a couple to blow it for us
by Dooks on Mar 8, 2008 9:42 PM CST reply actions
Naslund is a shell of what he used to be. Thanks, but no thanks. We already have a guy making $6 mil for 50-some points in Kariya.
by gallagher on Mar 8, 2008 9:42 PM CST reply actions
and another making $4million for less than 40 pts…naslund would fit right in
by Chris D. on Mar 8, 2008 9:43 PM CST reply actions
AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!! Skeletor again!! NNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!
by Dooks on Mar 8, 2008 9:47 PM CST reply actions
Brad Boyes interview during intermission… does this mean we can look forward to another picture of Brad’s TV?
by gallagher on Mar 8, 2008 9:47 PM CST reply actions
gt i need to figure a way to get into contact for the chicago game
by Chris D. on Mar 8, 2008 9:52 PM CST reply actions
Chris D. wrote:
“or is that the same math that makes you think the blues are over .500?”
==
I’ve said it before, Chris, and I’ll say it again… the league can call ‘em overtime losses or shootout losses, but as long as the Blues get a point for ’em, as far as I’m concerend, they’re ties. And as long as the Blues have not lost more games in regulation than they’ve won, they’re over .500.
B.
by GT Prospect Department on Mar 8, 2008 9:54 PM CST reply actions
Fuck. About time. About the only person who couldn’t comment was the guy writing the fucking blog. That sucks.
by Brad Lee on Mar 8, 2008 9:55 PM CST reply actions
Chris D. wrote:
“gt i need to figure a way to get into contact for the chicago game.”
==
Drop me an e-mail, brother. Looking forward to it.
B.
by GT Prospect Department on Mar 8, 2008 9:59 PM CST reply actions
here’s a poll to pass time:
which Bud Light super ability would you rather have?
by Dooks on Mar 8, 2008 10:01 PM CST reply actions
and i’ll say it again. a percentage that is based on the number of wins a team has does not change if you award points to anything other than wins. irreguardless of how many points you have. if you want to just talk about points then yes you can make another mathmatical comparison to figure out a way calculate team comparisons. that’s all .500 is. it’s a way to compare teams. a team more likely to win a game has percentage above .500 which simply means half. that you are capable of winning half the games you play. below five hundred means your team does not win half the games you play in. if you want to say a team gets point in half their games then the blues would in fact be a team over .500 in that manner of comparison.
a point is usually helpful yes. never thought it wasn’t. but don’t confuse a team with being a WINNING—-the key word—- team if they lose more games than they win.
by Chris D. on Mar 8, 2008 10:02 PM CST reply actions
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