Kariya Practices, MIGHT Play - UPDATED

by Brad Lee on Apr 19, 2009 1:12 PM CDT

Don't skate so low, bro. Protect the hips.

So Paul Kariya skated with the Blues at the morning skate today. Head coach Andy Murray has said that Kariya had to have at least one full practice with the team before he could come back. Well...

"If Paul tells me he can play ... he's in."

Of course this could be a bit of gamesmanship by Murray. Put all the focus and attention on Kariya and get the spotlight off the kids. Make some ruckus on one side so the press and the opposition ignores what's happening over here away from that. Is it misdirection or is it a real possibility.

UPDATE: Internet friend Norm Sanders has some comments from Kariya, who apparently hung out for several minutes after practice. Is that normal for a guy who expects to play at 6 p.m. tonight?

“I’ve been playing the game a long time, so I think I know by now the way my body needs to feel to perform and help the team win games,” he said. “Obviously you want to get back as fast as possible and help the team. But after two hip surgeries, I’ve got to be smart and make sure that I can perform to a level that I need to help the team.”

On the plus side, Kariya could really jumpstart the power play. Put him on one side of the ice and McDonald on the other and it's like the Harlem Globetrotters' weave. Of course we have to wonder how durable and fit Kariya is and how rusty he might be since he has been out of action since November.

There's a rumor that Cam Janssen might be in the lineup and Dan Hinote has an undisclosed injury. So Murray may be mixing things up tonight. He obviously doesn't have a choice. He can either sit back and hope something clicks or he can do what he can to find the right combination. I'm in favor of him being proactive.

Put on your coaching hat. What's Murray to do? Let us know in the comments.

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Comments

Put him in coach, he's ready to play

Today

by Poor College Student on Apr 19, 2009 1:16 PM CDT reply actions

And for what it’s worth, I’d scratch Steen. If not Steen, Winchester

by Poor College Student on Apr 19, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions

highnote is 'injured'..

Whatever it takes?

by JoMilla on Apr 19, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions

I’m assuming Cam gets Hinote’s spot

by Poor College Student on Apr 19, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions

if cam plays this will be...

a win for the blues mark my words. Not only would cammer beat the shit out of the fucking canuck douche bags.. im looking at you bieska.. but he will score a goal. I totally expect a victory and will be yelling my head off at the tv tonight.. GO BLUES!!!!! I BELIEVE!!!!

After 5 No-Dozes I feel great.. only except that i can hear my ears.. and I believe that toenails are the funniest thing I have ever seen.
Come Root on the blues at
www.stlouisgametime.com

by MSUBluenoter on Apr 19, 2009 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions

lmao

"You got Osh'd!"
"When you run from the police, you only go to jail tired"

by DontToewsMeBro on Apr 19, 2009 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions

I have to agree they should put Kariya in there. Something obviously isn’t clicking, and I think Kariya could be a huge help. If Hinote has a lower body injury, then put Kariya on the line with Tkachuk.

Barret Jackman is my hero.

Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun.

by BluesTiger on Apr 19, 2009 1:22 PM CDT reply actions

put him in…. without a doubt.

by Oshie74 on Apr 19, 2009 1:32 PM CDT reply actions

i think kariya should play and i would scratch winchester

but i really, really, really would like to see janssen play, especially at home.

by stlcardinalsfang on Apr 19, 2009 1:52 PM CDT reply actions

Dont really need to scratch I dont think. Highnote injured.

its just a choice between Him or Cam

Whatever it takes?

by JoMilla on Apr 19, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions

both could benefit the team greatly

"You got Osh'd!"
"When you run from the police, you only go to jail tired"

by DontToewsMeBro on Apr 19, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Alright Murray, roll those dice, I guess.

Although if Hinote’s out, it isn’t too difficult a decision to put Kariya in rather than Cam. The Blues need to put some NHL-logoed biscuits in the baskets tonight and Kariya obviously helps accomplish that.
So the lines…as I see ’em anyway:
Boyes-Backes-McDonald
Perron-Berglund-Oshie
Crombeen-McClement-Steen
Winchester-Tkachuk-Kariya

Expect to see Kariya alternate between the Kid and 4th line to provide Kariya protection from Winch and Osh and some skill guys with Perron and Osh and Bergie.

Hell, I don’t know!

Brad, any inspirational speeches in preparation? Seemed to work in the regular season.

I once shot a man just to see him die...then I got distracted and missed it.

by TheDuke32 on Apr 19, 2009 2:24 PM CDT reply actions

inspirational speech!

"You got Osh'd!"
"When you run from the police, you only go to jail tired"

by DontToewsMeBro on Apr 19, 2009 2:58 PM CDT reply actions

wir wollen ein inspirational speech horen

"You got Osh'd!"
"When you run from the police, you only go to jail tired"

by DontToewsMeBro on Apr 19, 2009 2:59 PM CDT reply actions

Hmmmm

and Stastny has been called up.

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x718260722/Rivermen-lose-Stastny-to-call-up

"We have two giant hamsters running on a massive wheel at our secret underground lair..." - Benjamin Linus.

by drfrankentweed on Apr 19, 2009 3:00 PM CDT reply actions

I miss Kariya on the Preds

Welcome to Smashville, Tennessee.

by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 19, 2009 3:10 PM CDT reply actions

NO KARIYA

when we sucked cam helped balance the emotions. right now we need that again so kids and whoever can focus on scoring. theres too much tension in our players. too bad st louis doesnt havea china town

mark

by holtonmark on Apr 19, 2009 3:15 PM CDT reply actions

lmao

hes actually japanese-canadian.

"You got Osh'd!"
"When you run from the police, you only go to jail tired"

by DontToewsMeBro on Apr 19, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions

looks like Tom from Blink 182

"I'm sorry we hurt their feelings"
-Barret Jackman

by Dooks on Apr 19, 2009 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Looks like Billy Jack minus the hat

Dum spiramus tuebimur

by spectr17 on Apr 19, 2009 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions

sorry, wrong one. they do look very similar though...

"You got Osh'd!"
"When you run from the police, you only go to jail tired"

by DontToewsMeBro on Apr 19, 2009 3:20 PM CDT reply actions

im scared

I would love to see kariya out there, but he has been out for so long i would be scared that he wouldnt be able to go full speed. This isnt a october game against yotes this is DO OR DIE time against a very dangerous #3 ranked, lowest goal allowed in last two weeks team. If he is gonna be out there he needs to go 120 percent because even though he is a great player everyone else on the team has been busting their butts to get here this season, and i dont think its fair to throw someone in if his is gonna half ass it up and down the rink.

I would say yes throw Cam in though.

WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN

by bluejaye on Apr 19, 2009 3:26 PM CDT reply actions

I don't care who's one the ice

as long as we win. Kick some ass guys and show em we’re still in it.

by BlueMonday on Apr 19, 2009 3:38 PM CDT reply actions

down 2-0 coming home to a raucous crowd, if he’s not coming in now he’s not coming in the rest of the series. let kariya have hinote’s spot and using him sparingly 5 on 5 just like hinote’s been used then stick him out there on the powerplay where we really need him.

we don’t need cam, the canucks would turn him into a liability out there. i like how since kariya was mentioned as an option the first reaction is to give him steen’s spot in the line up. the guy kills penalties, he’s getting shots through on the powerplay and he’s tied for the team lead in playoff points (sure its only one point, but still it’s one more than all but two guys on the team).

by bzgea2 on Apr 19, 2009 3:44 PM CDT reply actions

have a little confidence

you want that stadium rocking you put cam in there… they took liberties with our players… its time to show some gumption… put cam in there.. hes a lot smarter than what you are trying to give him credit for… have you once heard murray say hes a liability.. have you ever heard a devil fan say he is a liability… he does his job and he works hard. he isnt stupid and is a much better player than some give him crdit for. give him a shot… dont nay say him

After 5 No-Dozes I feel great.. only except that i can hear my ears.. and I believe that toenails are the funniest thing I have ever seen.
Come Root on the blues at
www.stlouisgametime.com

by MSUBluenoter on Apr 19, 2009 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I've said it before, I'll say it again

Boyes-Backes-McDonald
Perron-Berglund-Kariya
Crombeen-McClement-Oshie
Winchester-Tkachuk-Janssen

Boyes-Berglund-McDonald
Perron-Backes-Kariya
Crombeen-McClement-Oshie
Winchester-Tkachuk-Janssen

either way, Oshie greatly benefits the defensive lines and we need to keep Backes on offense s

"I'm sorry we hurt their feelings"
-Barret Jackman

by Dooks on Apr 19, 2009 3:47 PM CDT reply actions

weird. it posted itself midsentence

….need to keep Backes on offense so he can protect the “little guys”

"I'm sorry we hurt their feelings"
-Barret Jackman

by Dooks on Apr 19, 2009 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions

as Carnie would say....

I’m badly torn on the PK coming back issue.

He can’t possibly be in playoff shape, yet he’s a know gym rat.
Our PP has been sucking hind tit so maybe he’s the ~~spark ,~~ ~~change,~~ ~~addition,~~ miracle they need?

Aw hell, let’s try it and if it’s not what we want we still have time to tweak before game #4.

Dum spiramus tuebimur

by spectr17 on Apr 19, 2009 3:59 PM CDT reply actions

At this point . . .

just bring the motherfucking crazy. If he’s ready, put him in, and personally I’d sit Steen. If not, sit him and let Steen become another Luongo Steamroller candidate. (I’m fully convinced Stastny’s callup is just to have warm bodies around in case of further injuries . . . but I certainly hope they haven’t given up the fight in Peoria.)

Either way, I expect Janssen to be in the lineup. Want to maliciously trip a Masterton candidate behind the play? Have some “Eureka Fury” (h/t Duke). That’ll teach ya.

The crowd will be going so Goddamned insane tonight that I’m not sure it makes a difference who plays and who doesn’t. If we lose . . . well that sucks, but as I’ve been saying since the clincher, anything that happens from here is gravy. If we win . . . well, we’ve finally found a winning formula in these Cup Playoffs.

"The world is getting to be such a dangerous place, a man is lucky to get out of it alive." -- W.C. Fields

by Donut King on Apr 19, 2009 4:08 PM CDT reply actions

agree with donutKing

I dont care who is in or what role they play
we need to bring the noise and we need to physically slam the hammer down on the sedins and co. SOFT-SWEED those two words go hand-in-hand

you cant score if you dont shoot, forecheck forecheck blah blah blah

gameplan – score hard play hard check hard

this is 60 minutes, you cannot devise some crazy strategy the whole game, mixing up the offense and not giving luongo the same looks is the way to win the game

by DasBlues on Apr 19, 2009 4:18 PM CDT reply actions

I have said all year long ..Cam needs to be in the lineup every night! I wrote about it on bleacherreport.com . I hope we see him tonight..Cafucks are going down!!

by blueswillwin on Apr 19, 2009 4:44 PM CDT reply actions