Blues Remain Undefeated Against Wings In 2009-10

by Brad Lee on Oct 2, 2009 9:50 PM CDT

In recent seasons for the St. Louis Blues, falling behind 3-1 to the Detroit Red Wings would be cause for desperation and panic. Not tonight (this afternoon?) in Sweden. Those lovable scamps scored three unanswered goals and defeated Detroit 4-3. THREE UNANSWERED GOALS. AGAINST DETROIT. Poetry is what that is.

Couple of quick observations:

- It seems the Blues have caught up to the Red Wings in the team speed department...and maybe even passed them. Blues got to the pucks quicker, rushed down the ice faster and swarmed much of the third period. It's one game, the first game, but the Wings should be concerned that their puck possession game kind of relies on the belief that they're faster than the opposition. If the defense can keep up with the Wings, I foresee a lot of pucks going the other way.

- Lots of big plays for both teams, offensively and defensively. It's great that the Blues showed their capabilities to a national cable except DirecTV audience, but it was on a Friday afternoon. Mason made some huge saves in this game, hopefully beginning to answer the question of whether or not he was a flash in the pan last Spring.

- Paul Kariya is healthy. And excitable.

- The Wings were bouncing off of David Backes. He is made of steel and craps rivets.

- The St. Louis Blues are going to be an exciting hockey team this season. As Juan Mallagher told me from his neighbor Pepe's burrow shed, when the play wasn't there they chipped the puck into the corner and dug it out. When there was an opportunity, they skated hard and played aggressively. The transition game was pretty solid instead of fucking ugly.

And just think, we only have to wait until Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. St. Louis time for the rematch.

So, Gametimers, what do you think of 1/82nd of the season? I need a beer. Or five.

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Team speed yes

except for Colaiacovo on that shorthanded goal.

by Mr. Particle on Oct 2, 2009 9:56 PM CDT reply actions

Could just listen on the radio

But this game almost seemed to tell me more about the difference in goaltending between the teams then anything else, and that certainly is pointing in the Blues direction. If they really have caught up with them in speed (which I’m sure is in large part due to Paul Kariya bringing some energy back to an extent, along with his tiny speedy frame), then games between teh 2 would seemingly become more goaltending based, and I see a big advantage for us in that department.

by Novacain on Oct 2, 2009 10:01 PM CDT reply actions

Looking Good

While not perfect. The shorthanded goal and Perron made a few bad mistakes. Brewer still looked a little rusty (which is to be expected) but Kariya obviously looked amazing and Crombeen had alot of fire in him. Mason picked up right where he left off making amazing saves even if he did mishandle the puck once or twice as well. The power play didn’t look stellar but the kill did. And on top of it all we were still more than good enough to beat Detroit.

I do see alot of games going this same way this season with teams just getting ground down by the third period by the big young guys who just won’t stop till the puck is in the net.

by Maverides on Oct 2, 2009 10:09 PM CDT reply actions

I'm thinking you mean EJ

And yes he did look a bit … timid? That’s not the exact word I’m looking for.
His name wasn’t called much which may be a good thing these first games.

by luvhockey on Oct 2, 2009 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes I did mean EJ

MIxed up two thoughts into one there. Blame the beer and trying to type too fast

by Maverides on Oct 3, 2009 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions

To many shorthanded chances

but I think that will improve.

Team seemed to have alot of jump in the second period.
I liked that in the 3rd they didn’t lay back as much as I expected.

by luvhockey on Oct 2, 2009 10:24 PM CDT reply actions

The Blues

had enough skill to outplay the team who have traded on skill for the last 15 years. Detroit has a lot of the cast who are in the 35 to 40 category and their speed / indurance looked a bit short today. The defence was able to hold their own with Detroits offence. The Blues teams of the past 3 years would have NEVER been able to climb back into this game they just did not have the skill level. This will be a much more entertaining Blues team this year. The youngsters will continue to make mistakes but I can see a legitimate Cup contender developing in 2 to 3 years.

by hoozis on Oct 2, 2009 10:46 PM CDT reply actions

yeah i was going to say something about how the red wings have a lot of dinosaurs on their team, so should be slower.

"It’s a brand new day
And the sun is high
All the birds are singing
That you’re gonna die" ~ Dr. Horrible

by Carnie on Oct 2, 2009 11:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Good win

Things I liked: The “fourth” line, Mr. New Hips, Berglund playing physical, Mason and seeing EJ back, Mike Weaver.

Things I didn’t like: Falling behind, short-handed chances, turnovers, timidness, the Sydor-Johnson pairing.

by averagejoe on Oct 2, 2009 11:00 PM CDT reply actions

EJ looked dominate at times, gimpy/lost at others.

Sydor looked his age at times too. Really the only negatives I can find.

Oshie was willing to bang late (I think I counted him having three straight checks after wiffing on killing someone along the boards). Loved the energy. Oh, and that Kariya guy is ok. On pace for 164 goals, which I’d probably be willing to take.

Mizzourah.net

by Big Head on Oct 2, 2009 11:28 PM CDT reply actions

No surprise at EJ's growing pains.

For one, Detroit isn’t exactly Linkopings.

Two, the kid is starting his second season in the league. Pronger had a year and a half in Hartford before donning the Note, and he had a pretty rough first year in STL.

I have no doubts regarding EJ’s future potential… but there are going to be times where he makes big mistakes. It’s just part of learning to be an NHL defenseman. That’s why I hope Petro stays up all season… the sooner he starts climbing that NHL learning curve, the sooner he can maximize his own potential.

by BleedBlue42 on Oct 2, 2009 11:46 PM CDT up reply actions

EJ looked exactly what I thought he'd look like

He had that really nice sequence where he skated through all 4 Wings on the PP to carry the puck in the zone (something no other defenseman on the Blues has been able to do in years) instead of having to dump/chase—-and obviously looked rusty at other times trying to do a little too much instead of taking the safe play. He looked a lot like he did his rookie year, not shocking.

It’s the Red Wings on the first game of the season, what more can we expect. I was ecstatic that you could still see the flashes of his ability to be the rare legitimate game changing d-man. He just needs experience to maintain some consistency but it looked clear to me at times that he has still the physical tools to dominate.

Not afraid to nitpick

by joker24 on Oct 3, 2009 12:55 AM CDT up reply actions

This is what I liked about this game.

From Winging It in Motown:

Anyone else surprised that we’re down 4-3…

at the end of the second?

by Christy on Oct 2, 2009 3:46 PM CDT

This says a lot about this team. I think we’re going to surprise a lot of teams who still think we’re just a fluke. PK was solid in spite of that late goal on Steeners 4 minutes to feel shame. We killed off a 5-on-3 and most of another long one solidly.

Brad’s comparison of us to the Wings is fitting. They reminded me a lot of them today. Quick bursts. Always around the puck. Fast pace. No time to settle. Rapid succession of goals. The chances are rolling our way and hopefully we can continue to capitalize on them.

Sydor, from the parts I saw, did look a little more sluggish than I expected, but I hadn’t really seen the team play in the preseason. Perhaps it’s the difference between soft pre-season line-ups and a top team. I will withhold judgment until a few games show more, but wonder if they’re considering playing Petro in the second game.

Overall, a solid win. Surprise, surprise, right in yo eyez!

by Liut! on Oct 2, 2009 11:54 PM CDT reply actions

Entertaining as helll and refreshing, like a good...

…douching. While me and select members of the Answer Man Crew rocked the game shirtless around a computer screen, we all commented on how fast Kariya looked. That little booger looked strong and as though he doesn’t have a top gear.

What a fun and ecxiting game it was.

North Co! North Co! North Co!

by Answer Man on Oct 3, 2009 5:31 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

I absolutely can't wait until this afternoon.

Not only because I get to watch the game and piss off my neighbors while doing it (it’s on NHL Net, and my stereo will be SO LOUD that they’ll feel like they’re there – they deserve it), but because I get to gloat to my friends who are Wings fans.

Reporter: There`s a "stamp out the Beatles movement" underway in Detroit. What are you going to do about it?

Paul McCartney: We`re going to start a campaign to stamp out Detroit.

by hildymac on Oct 3, 2009 10:21 AM CDT reply actions

Need... Blues... Hockey...

I feel like a junkie in need of a fix. Jonesed through yesterday because I didn’t have a source and eagerly grabbing the little video highlight nibbles on the web. Using NHL network feed… not sure about listening to a Detroit PBP, even if the new kid is providing color.

by The Goalie Guy on Oct 3, 2009 11:23 AM CDT reply actions