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Five In A Row: Blues Lose In Atlanta

I watched today's game looking for a fatal flaw. I wanted to see if there was something I've been missing in the Blues' game that would explain why they aren't scoring enough and in turn, not winning enough. And besides a growing impending sense of doom that started right about the time that a goofy dump-in pass from about 65 feet out hop-skipped over Ty Conklin's glove and into the net to tie the game, I just didn't see it.

Clearly, I'm no expert. I'm not a coach or a scout or even a person who has played the game at any seriously competetive level. I have watched a lot of NHL hockey and a lot of Blues hockey over the years, but still; clearly no expert. And there doesn't seem to be any discernible reason for this extended slump the team is in. they're playing physically. They're getting quality shots on the net. They're crashing the goal. The energy has been there. The goaltending has been there.

It's just an old-fashioned slump.

The problem with a slump is that unless you're Mark Grace, there's no tried-and-true way to bust it. It could happen with a weird bounce in a game (that goes your way for once) or it could come from a weird off-ice incident that loosens up the team and helps them to quit gripping their sticks. It could come from anywhere. Sooner or later it'll happen and the Blues will break out of this funk; they're simply too good of a team to not have it happen. Problem is, we have no idea when it's going to happen. With games at home on Tuesday (Canucks), Thursday (Predators) and Saturday (Sharks), we'd all prefer if it was sooner rather than later.

A few other notes from tonight:

  • David Perron is getting better. And he was already better this year than he was last year. The Blues were apprehensive about spending a first round pick on him, but he looks like he's on his way to a pretty great NHL career.
  • Patrik Berglund is getting more and more invisible as the games go along. If it's determined that someone needs to go to Peoria this week, I'd vote for Berglund before I'd vote for Eller.
  • Lars Eller plays a more physical game than I would have expected. It's early to make any real determinations on him, but I like him on the line with T.J. Oshie. Let's put Perron on the other wing and see what happens there.
  • Actual text message exchange from tonight: Please get Kariya off this team. Um, then who would we have to play soft and shoot high? Boyes. Oh yeah. OK, I'll work on it.

Finally, DanGNR sent this picture from his trip to Atlanta to watch the debacle. We look forward to hearing stories from yet another roadie GT meet up.

Thrasheatingdan_medium

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When did Berglund go from ...

Potential 80-point guy to first choice to be sent down and a prospect to be playing professionally in Sweden/KHL in five years. What the heck happened to the guy? He was so good early last year and then, suddenly, he’s being outplayed by a kid with two games under his belt.

by averagejoe on Nov 8, 2009 10:18 PM CST reply actions  

Enjoyed meeting everyone tonight, for sure.

I did enjoy the battle of the back-ups, too. Both goalies deserved the win, and looked like they were the ones most vested in what was going on. Conk was extremely upset with himself after the SO.

Honestly, though, either team could have won, since neither team played a full game. I can’t tell you what the problem is, but it just didn’t seem like the oomph was there. They’re getting horrible reads on goaltenders, too. It’s not like Moose is un-solvable, but they just kept on whapping it at his pads, on the ice. No. Midway to the goal slapper with a screen – boom. Goal. Do they not watch tape on goalies before games?

It’s a slump, but it’s frustrating as shit. That game should have been ours.

BTW, here’re some random photos of the crew during warm-ups – thanks to my friend Virginia for coming over to enemy territory for warm-ups!


From L to R: Will in StL, DanGNR’s brother, DanGNR, and me.


Us with Teej in the background.


I know he looks mildly retarded, but he’s trying to flip a puck to some little kids.

And on the Thrash boards (not sure if you have to log-in), Fred – the guy who took the photos of Walt’s 1000th point – got his usual expert shots. http://fans.thrashers.nhl.com/topic/13821

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 Nov 8, 2009 10:29 PM CST reply actions  

christ anyone

your hair is even more ridiculous now

Look I'm sure youre a nice person and everything but that Redwings jersey you're wearing makes me want to cave your face in with my fist...it's not you it's me and the fact that you're a fucking Redwings fan

by RFJCC on Nov 9, 2009 10:45 AM CST up reply actions  

Great pics

Always good to be able to put a face to a screen name.

Some days its just not worth chewing through the restraints

by spectr17 on Nov 10, 2009 3:01 AM CST up reply actions  

this is gonna be a first for me

but im finally gonna get on AM.. did Bergy-Oshie-Eller play in the 3rd at all.. cuz i do not remember seeing them at all.. and if they were out there they got a shift or 2 maybe.. and oshie and eller have been working the hardest for us and they sat on the bench almost the whole 3rd period and OT.. whats wrong with that picture

If you have a donkey and i have a chicken and youre donkey ate my chickens feet what would you have.... 2 feet of my cock in youre ass!! haha

by bleedblue2009 on Nov 9, 2009 9:13 AM CST reply actions  

Well....

You’ve gotta give Boyes, Kariya, & Brewer their minutes….

by Washoo on Nov 9, 2009 9:28 AM CST up reply actions  

haha

yeah god forbid they sit on the bench like they should be… i think one of the GT’ers should run for coach.. lets start a mutiny and take over the team

If you have a donkey and i have a chicken and youre donkey ate my chickens feet what would you have.... 2 feet of my cock in youre ass!! haha

by bleedblue2009 on Nov 9, 2009 4:32 PM CST up reply actions  

I think

having the Canucks next up could be the best thing to happen to the Blues.

Surely more than a few of our guys want some payback. This could be the turning point.

BLUE SKIES - new St Louis Blues hockey blog.

"If you prick me, do I not...leak?"
"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause."
"I am programmed in multiple techniques, a broad...variety of pleasuring..."
RIP Lt Commander Data

by drfrankentweed on Nov 9, 2009 1:04 PM CST reply actions  

Bobby Lou has the flu, too.

So, well, maybe he’ll sneeze on his teammates or something for us. God willing.

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 Nov 9, 2009 2:15 PM CST up reply actions  

Damn

I wanted him playing. I wanted our boys to stamp him and that team all over the ice.

Um…in a good way of course…lol

BLUE SKIES - new St Louis Blues hockey blog.

"If you prick me, do I not...leak?"
"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause."
"I am programmed in multiple techniques, a broad...variety of pleasuring..."
RIP Lt Commander Data

by drfrankentweed on Nov 9, 2009 3:18 PM CST up reply actions  

already counting down the days until the kariya and tkachuk contracts expire and we can throw that money at someone who can score.

by bzgea2 on Nov 9, 2009 5:37 PM CST reply actions  

dont hate on walt

at least he has leadership skills that are useful to the young guys

Look I'm sure youre a nice person and everything but that Redwings jersey you're wearing makes me want to cave your face in with my fist...it's not you it's me and the fact that you're a fucking Redwings fan

by RFJCC on Nov 9, 2009 5:49 PM CST up reply actions  

and is making

less than scoring line material makes in the nhl these days.

A strong anvil fears no hammer

by Childhood Trauma on Nov 9, 2009 5:53 PM CST up reply actions  

yeah

you cant say anything bad about walt.. he does lead the team in pts.. tied with ej.. but kariya is making like 6 mil isnt he? thats to much to do absolutely nothin

If you have a donkey and i have a chicken and youre donkey ate my chickens feet what would you have.... 2 feet of my cock in youre ass!! haha

by bleedblue2009 on Nov 9, 2009 6:20 PM CST up reply actions  

I certainly would have prefered to have seen Walt over Kariya last night.

He’s the only one who would have tried to crash the crease, or at the very least screen Moose so we could have scooted a few more goals in.

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 Nov 9, 2009 7:00 PM CST up reply actions  

Hey..

I am still planning on righting writing up a “trip” report for the GT road trip…
But due to the drive back yestersday, work today, and the game at Kiel Savvis Drinkscotch center tonight, I will be unable to send anything until tomorrow… I hope you understand and still want a report.
I do have a couple of good pics… both hockey and non hockey.
DanGNR

You can't call me a fair weather Blues fan.

by DanGNR on Nov 10, 2009 10:01 AM CST reply actions  

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