Road Music: 10/15 @ San Jose Sharks

by CrossCheckRaise on Oct 15, 2011 5:30 PM CDT

Blues fans are dealing with a severe case of Deja Vu right now. It seems we're witnessing some old habits returning, namely the "not playing 60 minutes worth of hockey" and "getting injured" and also some spotty special teams play. This team cannot afford a slow start - the flashes we've seen so far (that third period in Dallas was beautiful) need to be applied throughout the game. There's a sense of urgency that's simply missing. Even worse, when the team in front is not playing up to their potential, it puts all of the pressure on the goaltending to be perfect. Right now, of all the words that could be used to describe Jaro's performance thus far, "perfect" is .... well, pretty damn far down the list. I think Gallagher nailed it: Jaro isn't playing with confidence right now. When you expect the worst, it makes it more likely to come true. The good thing is, the opposite is also true; if you play boldly, you tend to yield better results. I don't know how to bring this about, but Jaro definitely could use a boost here. He needs to keep his head up.

Hold Your Head Up / Argent

The Enemy: The Sharks are likely still finding their stride, as well. They opened their season with a 6-3 pounding of the Coyotes on Oct 8th, and then didn't play again until last night - a 6 day layoff. That second game was a 1-0 shutout loss to the Ducks. So, the Sharks have just played the night before, and are looking to bounce back after a posting a goose-egg on the score sheet. One thing that may help our cause: the Sharks were playing their 3rd-string goalie last night, Thomas Greiss. In his two starts so far this year, he's posted a .920 / 2.02 GAA stat line. Antti Niemi is coming back from injury, and was dressed as the backup last night. Early reports indicate that Griess will be back in net tonight, though. As good as his numbers are, there's gotta be a reason he's behind Niemi and Antero Niittymaki on the depth chart. Martin Havlat is also missing time with an injury. Additionally, we get to see old friend Brad Winchester (BFW!), likely playing on the Shark's fourth line tonight.

Further Reading:

Puck Daddy San Jose Sharks Season Preview

Fear The Fin

Blues vs Sharks preview

Blues vs Sharks coverage

Final Verse: The puck drops at 9:00 St Louis time, and the GDT will be along shortly before. The broadcasts are on the usual outlets: FSMW for TV, and KMOX 1120 for the radio. Until then, this is your pre-game warmup. Get your fish jokes ready, welcome our friends from FTF when they drop in, and also note that, if you're in the St Louis area and want to watch the game amongst friends, some of us will be gathering tonight at Cousin Hugo's in Maplewood. We'll be easy to find- we'll be the loud table with a lot of empty bottles and glasses around us.

Also, consider that Cheech Marin might need to be hired as goaltending coach for Jaro's case of the yips:

Tin Roof (via rtnewman)

LGB!

-CrossCheckRaise

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I wanna be at Cousin Hugo's.

I really have to do something about this whole “distance” problem.

Thrashing the Blues - No, I'm not re-naming it.
SB Nation St. Louis
St. Louis Game Time - We turn the F bomb into an art form.

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 15, 2011 5:46 PM CDT reply actions

What is this West Coast crap??

I’m ready for the game to start right MEOW!

Also how in the holy hell does this scene have such terrible clips on youtube?

Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not. - Thomas Jefferson

by Dan. on Oct 15, 2011 6:01 PM CDT reply actions

I hate west coast games

I am not a late night person, not even in college (egads).
I am a morning person, I hate not being able to sleep much past 6ish. I am cursed

Hockey players wear numbers because you can't always identify the body with dental records.

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. Laura Ingalls Wilder

by luvhockey on Oct 15, 2011 7:49 PM CDT reply actions

I'm not the biggest fan of our line combos today.

According to the Morning Skate, Grachev and Porter are in, which I’m fine with, but the line combos have been mixed with Oshie taking McDonalds spot with Backes and Jamie, and Sobotka jumping into the Berglund Stewart line, with Grachev and Porter going to line 4 with Nichol.

I get the move on paper. The Blues top 3 lines all had the same basic formula: A skill guy (McDonald, Oshie, D’Agostini), a power forward (Backes, Stewart, Arnott), and an all arounder (Langenbrunner, Berglund, Steen). If you lose a skill guy, bump up another, and Sobe fits that mold more than Grachev.

But there’s just some things I don’t like here. Moving Osh away from Bergie and Stewie is one. Why mess up our best line who work well together? If you want to move Sobe up, just put him on the Backes line.

Secondly, I think Sobotka actually made our 4th line kinda dangerous, because him and Nichol are both pesky, good forecheckers, and can skate pretty damn fast. Their speed I thought could lead to some 2 on 1 breaks if they stay together. I like the idea of a checking line that can put up some points, and I think the Nichol/Sobe combo led itself to that. Grachev seems more like a player, on my best guess anyway, who could be dangerous with dangerous players around him. With Nichol and Porter, you can’t expect any production.

I get the idea, but I don’t know. If you want to bring in Grachev, don’t start him in a position that doesn’t give him much of a chance to produce.

Is willing to go to the mattresses with the lot of yous.

by Novacain on Oct 15, 2011 8:06 PM CDT via mobile reply actions