Blues Scoring Woes: Anomaly or Status Quo?

Or total shots attempted? The problem as I see it (for Boyes in particular) is an inability to hit the holes. Shots are either wide (or high) or into the goaltenders pads. Last time I checked none of the league’s goalie completely cover the 4×6, so there’s got to be some space to shoot. I can’t tell you how to fix it, but it has been the case for so long that its got to be something in the system. They need to finish their chances, either by burying the initial shot or working harder and/or being better positioned for the rebound.

Since we won’t/can’t pick up a top-tier goal scorer, how about we cough up a huge chunk of money to lure a retired sniper (Brett Hull, I’m looking at you) as a goal-scoring coach? As much as I love Scott Mellanby, I don’t think he’s going into the hall of fame on his goal-scoring ability.

I am glad you wrote about this. It is the one thing that really scared me about this team. How do 30 and 40 goal scores completely forget how to finish? With the history of individual players in the lineup we should have one of the most feared offenses in the league from the blueline out.
These guys need a sports psychologist or a voodoo shamen, anything to break this curse that has to be over our team.

Is we have a great puck control system in the offensive zone.
We control the play. Yes we cycle and cycle and have players streaking across the slot and on the week side, but NEVER or hardly EVER do they ever CENTER THE PUCK to them.
They cycle, pass to the point for a shot or get a turnover and have to go get the puck again.
(which they actually do very well).

We need a playmaker who can actually center the puck for a quick shot in close when a player is actually there and ABLE to shoot.
Not skate around until they pass to the point or half boards for a semi open shot… or skate to the open slot when everyone has time to cover them or cutoff passing lanes.

THAT’s what pisses me off….
(having a case of the mondays.)
Fuck you Monday.

We’re playing with a LOT of injured players. Now I know this doesn’t explain our lack of production entirely, but it definitely has something to do with it. We’re missing one of our best offensive D-men (Cola) and Polak and Jackman had gotten a LOT better at setting up the rush from our own end. Oshie being out also really hurts, as he was a key setup player. That goes hand in hand with Perron being out. You dont’ have Oshie to dish and Perron to finish.

As for Boyes McDonald and Backes, I don’t know what the problem there is. I think if Boyes can’t get it together sooner than later, he won’t be wearing the Note much longer. As stated above, clearly its not getting more shots on goal that’s the problem.

Maybe we’re over complicating things (I’m looking at you powerplay) but something has to be done. Maybe they should just put up a piece of plywood with the holes cut in it and go nuts on that.

Not sure if more traffic would completely solve the problem, but I don’t how it couldn’t help. Look at most goals scored and generally there scored off of an odd man rush, rebound or a screen. The Blues are taking lots of shots but they are too easy for the goalie to see. Lets make that harder.

What the . . . how the . . . huh?!

As far as my limited knowledge of Sports Psychology and social psychology goes (I got my BA in Psychology), Boyes’ issues with scoring goals could be explained by conditioning problems. He need to cognitively restructure, meaning re-think the way he views his lack of success at scoring goals. Focusing on positives such as a clutch goal to get the Blues back in the game against Phoenix and his ability to get lots of good chances and shots should help maintain his confidence. Thus, instead of being conditioned to think negatively when he doesn’t score a goal, his psychological schema can be conditioned to focus on the more positive aspects, i.e. I made a good play to earn the scoring chance. As far as finishing goes, visualizing where you want the shot to go before hand often helps, especially on a breakaway or on a shot where you have time, such as on the PP.

I think Happy Meal has turned a corner in the past few games. I think he is the type of guy who needs to be that playmaker that makes good passes, especially in Oshie’s absence. This is what he has traditionally been best at anyways. If Andy scores around 20 goals but gets to around 40-50 assists, then that’s a pretty good season in my book.

Just my thoughts

Let them reaquaint themselves with the joy of scoring. Kind of like a dog and their reward toy. They need to taste it.

Cant hep ya with boyes, that would keep a whole team of shrinks busy