The St. Louis Blues Are A Stanley Cup Contender Right Now

not letting myself get too excited yet…

not until the power play starts clicking.

Wait a second

Seriously, I’m not going THAT far yet, but I do think this is a team that can make some noise come playoff time. I agreed with cold, we need to get the PP going. If that starts up, and the Blues continue their defensive play as they have, THEN I’ll buy into the Cup Contender idea.

Loud Noises!!!!!!!!!!

We’re not going to have another lockout, are we?

but either way I’m gonna sit back and enjoy this ride, remember when we could rarely win three games in a row?

Agree to disagree. Is this just an elaborate jinx, Mr. Blues Hater?

Seriously though, the Blues are playing way, way better, but I’m not sold on Cup contender. The first line has been great, the defense has been great and the goaltending has been phenomenal. However, the Blues still need secondary scoring, better special teams and health.

If the Blues get some guys back and start getting some secondary scoring, you may have a point.

and I can’t wait when its March and everyone is a Blues fan. Um, where were you guys in October and November?

That we were a surefire to lose big time. Even I was skeptical since the new coach and just facing the Caps in general. Of course she just started watching hockey this year and is all about Elliot (can’t exactly blame her with how Halak started).

I love hockey no matter what but I’m like a giddy school girl talking about this team now. I wish I didn’t have to give up my tickets for Saturday so I can see in person how crazy it’ll be but sadly prior duties (damn bowling) wins out.

so I hope the tandem the Blues have right now keep going strong. Lines 2 and 3 are performing pretty GOT-DAMNED consistently, and that is always a good sign.

This is one of my favorite Blues teams in a long time. My only fear is that when we get back the 43 players that are injured, is that going to throw off the dynamic of the team that is playing so well today?

Im confused now…..

But anyways….Just keep playing the way theyre playing and things will fall into place and we’ll all be happy…..

LETS GO BLUES!!!!

Is with Elliott. He’s been lights out. Absolutely lights out, but is this the real him? I don’t know if he’s playing balls out now and will eventually come back to Earth, or if this is the real him and it just took a while to develop. That and we need to get Stewart/Bergy going. Last night looked to get a fire lit under them as they hemmed the Caps in zone and seemingly imposed their will upon them.

If the goal tending can stay at this level and if we get some secondary scoring I think you’re going to see a team that puts fear into their opponents.

then yes, I’m starting to believe. If you mean “making it to the Stanley Cup Finals” then no. I think they’ll get knocked out in the second round this season. They can make it to the dance, but will bow out early. The Berglund-Stewart-Whoever line isn’t breaking out of its mold as currently showing. I hope that changes when they add David Perron to the line on left wing. He’s the finisher they need, but it’s going to take 10-15 games of consistent scoring to make me confident the line is good. They’re a second line, after all. They’re supposed to score. Move D’Agostini back to the third line once Perron’s back and he’ll become the finisher for Arnott and Langenbrunner. Reaves and Nichol make a fantastic 4th line with everyone who shows up; maybe adding a skilled finisher will turn them into a scoring and checking line?

but only as long as the goaltending can play as well as they have been. With our second line not performing, if Halak and Elliot can’t keep this level of play up I don’t think we’ll go very far into the playoff.

Cup contenders. . . . not yet
Threat in the playoffs. . . Definitely leaning towards it.

making my ringtone “The saint louis blues march” by glenn miller, just so the hair on the back of my neck stand everytime i get a phone call. Also, how awesome is this hockey team right now. Were kicking ass and taking names, WITHOUT some of our best players. With Perron’s imminent reaturn looming in the shadows, and Bergie and Oshie finally waking up, what team is going to be able to keep up with us on the ice? So far, very few

…wafer thin?

I’m stupid excited about this team. I live in Chicago and I’m sick of all these dumb Blackhawk fans talking crap and backing it up with standings and a cup. I can’t wait to beat them this weekend and take the points lead so I can rub it back in their face! LET’S GO BLUES!!

The law of averages and their talent says Stewart and Berglund will eventually break out of it, and at least be a solid 2nd line. It’s not like this team has played like this in a “everything going right” situation. Only one line is producing, our team has been mauled by injuries, and we just keep winning.

Look, the Steen-Backes-Oshie line is one of the best in the NHL. The Blues D is incredibly talented and are playing like it. And the Blues goaltending combo is currently the best in the NHL. If we can get some solid 2nd and 3rd line play in the offensive side, and get our PP going, than everyone needs to watch the fuck out.

Basically at the moment, yes we are Stanley Cup Contenders. Hell, if the playoffs started now, we are probably favorites. There’s a lot of time before playoff time, and things change. But it’s possible top to bottom we will just be better.

Oh, by the way, to the people who said we should look to trade Elliot… Should Boston have traded Thomas last season year because they were confident in Tuuka Rask as a starter? You do not trade goalies who are playing out of their mind. Sometimes, that one player can win you a cup, which is exactly what went down in Boston last year. Until his GAA is back at 2 and his save percentage is at 930, Elliot should not be moved. Period.

If the Blues can play like this the rest of the season and post season, yes.
But there will be a let down at some point. A couple of bad breaks (hopefully not bones)
a few bad bounces, and a couple of losses…. Then we’ll see if the Blues can keep it going.
(or get it going again quickly)

I worry about the two things, the long break after the home-stand next week. Then the games after Xmas.
Those are times when things can “regress.”
Hopefully The Cock will have that erection lasting longer than four hours to hold us over.

You know what I love the most about this team right now? The fourth line. Those guys spend THEIR shift in the OFFENSIVE zone. You can’t ask much more than that can you? Last night was a rarity. IE Reaves being on the ice for a goal against.

Don’t get me wrong, the veterans are stepping up too (well, 90% of ‘em) Backes is a beast, Steen NOSE how to work hard ( don’t get frustrated big guy, you’ll get that well-deserved goal soon), Even Jaro is jumping in head first? But these new guys are everywhere. Kris russell. where the fuck did you come from? Columbus? bullshit. I can’t watch a game without noticing he’s on the ice, EVERY TIME he’s on the ice. if he’s not ripping it from the point, he’s busy crunching dudes in our zone, and skating the puck end to end. Nichol is a fiery little bastard. Tough too. Doesn’t seem to back down from anyone. He Knows how to keep the puck deep in the zone, and works really hard to do it. Ian Cole has been blowing my mind too. The kid skates hard, and seems to be in on every play when he’s on the ice. All in all, i like how almost every one is playing. can’t wait to get IR guys back, and REALLY can’t wait for the Blues to come home ( I’ve got tickets for all 5 games). Lets Go Blues!

Or even late October 2010 excited. When this team plays like they have been in this stretch, there isn’t a team in the NHL that can beat them consistently. Pittsburgh? check. Washington? check. Toronto? partial check. Vancouver? Double check. Detwat? Check.

Now if the can just solve Pekka Rinne I’ll be a happy man. I’m saving my pennies for my playoff tickets this year!

And the Finals? Don’t want to get too excited, that’s a long way off. This team CAN do it. I’m still not totally convinced that they have the WILL to do it. But I’m feeling more excited. One win at a time boys.

Just once before I die. Please.

but has anyone else thought that Crombeen would actually play well under Hitchcock’s system when he returns? I remember last year when the Blues were pretty much out of the playoff picture, Crombeen was one of the few guys working his ass off every shift. That kind of playing style is exactly what the Cock loves

Between the 2011 Cardinals, this Blues team and the 2011 Denver Goddamn Broncos . . . one of the three, or a combination of two or all of the above, will either give me a stroke, a heart attack or an aneurysm at some point. How could a team like the Cardinals, whose season is long over now, possibly contribute to this? I have no fucking clue . . . I just know it’s possible.

Everybody is winning. Nothing is bad. This can’t end perfectly.

Far too soon to say the Blues are cup contenders, but man has their game been impressive. By game, I mean defensive game. They play smart defensive hockey with Hitchcock. When the going gets tough during the playoffs, which the Blues will make, they’ll hang tough with the likes of Vancouver/Blackhawks because of their defensive game. Just look at how poorly the Blackhawks defense/goaltending has been and that will be their Achilles heal when the playoffs come around.

Blues aren’t cup contenders yet, but in 1-2 years they’ll be in the cup finals with their prospects and depth they’re building. The Blues president and GM are committed to winning and they’re building it right.

Has a team without any top 30 (league) points or goal leaders ever gone deep in the spring or won it all? Defensively there’s speed, talent and tenacity, but without a prolific scorer or two, can they go far? I’m as excited as anyone but I think another move or two for scoring is needed to get to real contender status. Andy Mac appears to be gone for a long time.

THIS. I had just the same thought last night.