St. Louis Game Time - Blues At Canucks GameDay StoryStream: Blues Look To Salvage Two Points Against CanucksWe're one ugly bastard.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/10753/gt-fave.png2016-03-20T03:46:06-05:00http://www.stlouisgametime.com/rss/stream/110331892016-03-20T03:46:06-05:002016-03-20T03:46:06-05:00Blues Vs. Canucks Recap: Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots, EVERYBODY!!
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<figcaption>Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Except you 56. You're a scratch.</p> <p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> Lineup:</b></p>
<p>Forwards: <span>Jaden Schwartz</span>/<span>Jori Lehtera</span>/<span>Vladimir Tarasenko</span>...Robbi Fabbri/<span>Paul Stastny</span>/<span>Troy Brouwer</span>...<span>Dmitrij Jaskin</span>/<span>Patrik Berglund</span>/<span>David Backes</span>...<span>Scottie Upshall</span>/<span>Kyle Brodziak</span>/<span>Ryan Reaves</span></p>
<p>Defensive Pairs: Actually looking different tonight with <span>Joel Edmundson</span>/<span>Alex Pietrangelo</span>...<span>Jay Bouwmeester</span>/<span>Kevin Shattenkirk</span>...and <span>Carl Gunnarsson</span>/<span>Colton Parayko</span>.</p>
<p>Goalie: Welcome back <span>Brian Elliott</span>!</p>
<p><b>Game Highlights:</b></p>
<p>The Blues take on the <strike>Utica Comets</strike> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Canucks</a> tonight in Canada. The Blues welcome back Brian Elliott after being out with an injury They also would face ol' 5% <span>Ryan Miller</span>. The Canucks also had TEN players out of the lineup for the game tonight. While the first period had good moments, the real action didn't come until the second period. With the score still 0-0 Brian Elliott would rob Creepy Sedin twin two in front of the net.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/elliotts-tremendous-save/t-277443738/c-42730603?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Flash forward to 3:47 left in the second. With the Blues on the powerplay <span>Robby Fabbri</span> would connect with Troy Brouwer with a brilliant pass to give Brouwer a net so open that he'd have to be <span>Brad Boyes</span> to have missed it.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/brouwers-power-play-goal/t-277443738/c-42731303?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Brouwer gets his 15th goal of the year. Fabbri(19) and Stastny(29) get the assists on the play. Fabbri had a great game tonight, and the Fabbri/Stastny/Brouwer line is playing great hockey as of late. Brouwer would almost get a second goal at the end of the second. Vancouver would turn it over in their own zone and Brouwer would take the pass from Fabbri and fire it at the net. It would beat Miller and looked to be a good goal. Only problem was, the clock was at zero before the puck went in. Moving forward to the third, with Vancouver on the powerplay, Brian Elliott would stand tall again denying several rebound chances after the initial shot from <span>Sven Baertschi</span>.</p>
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<div>Would the Blues stand pat in the third as they have in the past? Nope. The pressure was still consistent in the third and it was really great to see. The "let's go into a defensive shell when we have a lead in the third" gimmick was getting stale. Tonight they would really keep on the pressure, and it would finally pay off again. Vladimir Tarasenko would score NHL goal number 100 off of this rebound past Miller.</div>
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<div><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/tarasenkos-100th-career-goal/t-277443738/c-42734603?autostart=false"></iframe></div>
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<div>The Blues would have a two goal lead late in the third. They would actually keep said lead and Jaden Schwartz would add this empty net goal.</div>
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<div>The Blues would go on to win 3-0. They would total 50(!) shots on net as opposed to just 19 for the Canucks. Brian Elliott would get the shutout and the boys didn't give up 5 goals to teams they had no business losing to. Next up for the Blues is another late night game as they travel to San Jose to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthefin.com/">Sharks</a>.</div>
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<div><b>From The Twitter Machine:</b></div>
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<div>Is this good?</div>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="no">Brian Elliott last 9 games: 7-0-1, 1.80 GAA, .940 SV% <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash">#stlblues</a></p>
— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) <a href="https://twitter.com/lkorac10/status/711416856813244416">March 20, 2016</a>
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<div>In Soviet Russia, 100 goals score you.</div>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tarasenko on 100 goals: "It's a better feeling because we won. Thanks to my teammates for helping me reach 100. Hopefully more to come."</p>
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) <a href="https://twitter.com/StLouisBlues/status/711422761864921088">March 20, 2016</a>
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<div>David Backes...speechless?</div>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Find out why David Backes was speechless after the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STLBlues?src=hash">#STLBlues</a>' 3-0 shutout of Vancouver...<a href="https://t.co/0rNcgNrMhw">https://t.co/0rNcgNrMhw</a></p>
— FOX Sports Midwest (@FSMidwest) <a href="https://twitter.com/FSMidwest/status/711424676593999873">March 20, 2016</a>
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<div>And finally....</div>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hawwwwkey. Gif courtesy <a href="https://twitter.com/myregularface">@myregularface</a>. Music courtesy the legendary All-4-One. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Stlblues?src=hash">#Stlblues</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STLvsVAN?src=hash">#STLvsVAN</a> <a href="https://t.co/DMpqtEbSBM">pic.twitter.com/DMpqtEbSBM</a></p>
— Andy Cole (@AndyCole84) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndyCole84/status/711414068905582593">March 20, 2016</a>
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<div><b>Three <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Stars</a>:</b></div>
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<div>Third Star: Vladimir Tarasenko (1 goal. Back to playing good hockey.)</div>
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<div>Second Star: Brian Elliott (19/19 shutout. Gave Miller the middle finger as he skated off the ice tonight...probably)</div>
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<div>First Star: Ryan Miller (49/50 saves. Mr. 5% played a great game to be honest. But let's be more honest, it was better seeing him lose)</div>
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https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/3/20/11271186/blues-vs-canucks-recap-shots-shots-shots-shots-shots-everybodyJustin422016-03-19T20:30:02-05:002016-03-19T20:30:02-05:00GameThread: St. Louis Blues at Vancouver Canucks
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<figcaption>Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues have a shot at getting back into a tie for the top of the Central Division again tonight. Will they take advantage of a faltering Vancouver team?</p> <p>The last time the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> were in Vancouver, they beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Canucks</a> 4-3. So far on this road trip they've scored eight goals and have still managed to lose to Calgary and Edmonton.</p>
<p>Have no fear, Moose is here, looking for the goal support that the Blues seem to be able to give him when playing a Pacific Division opponent. They're good for 3.12 goals a game against Pacific teams; there's no reason to not expect a decent scoring effort tonight.</p>
<p>Now, a win? Let's keep our fingers crossed that works out in their favor.</p>
<p>This is your GameDay Thread. Comment like you think <span>Ryan Miller</span> deserves what he gets.</p>
<p>Let's do this. Let's Go Blues.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/3/19/11270084/gamethread-for-st-louis-blues-at-vancouver-canucks-mar-19-2016hildymac2016-03-19T13:41:18-05:002016-03-19T13:41:18-05:00Join Us: Blues At Vancouver Canucks Preview
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<figcaption>Those were the days, eh? | Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Two losing streaks meet tonight, only one will survive.</p> <p>There's a lot of irony in the fact that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> beat the best teams in the Western Conference but lost to the worst. Especially considering that St Louis has averaged only 2.58 goals per game, and has scored 4 goals in each of those losses. In fact, the Blues have put up 4 or more in 6 of the last 7 games. The offense has come alive, but not enough so to balance out the defensive lapses. The Blues have been one of the best penalty killers in the league - even now they are ranked 3rd at 84.4%. However, in the preview on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Canucks</a> site they point out that St Louis has allowed power play goals in 5 straight games, only killing off 11 of the past 19 opportunities. That ain't good, no!</p>
<p>Something else that you can file under "ain't good" is the Vancouver Canucks. They've scored the fewest goals in the Western Conference at 163. That is hard to believe, with the Sedin twins being fairly healthy all year (Daniel has played all 70 games, Henrik has 62 games played). They're not exactly making minimum wage, either. They are getting older, though, and the problem lies in that the Sedins ARE the Canucks' offense. First it's <span>Daniel Sedin</span> that leads the team in goals (26) and points (58). His brother Henrik is next in points with 50 (11g, 39a). After that, number three is <span>Jannik Hansen</span> with 32 points (19g, 13a) - but he is day-to-day with a rib injury and not expected to play tonight. Next is <span>Bo Horvat</span> with 31 points (11g, 20a) and <span>Radim Vrbata</span> with 27 points (13g, 14a). The Canucks played just last night in Edmonton, and Vrbata left the game in the third period and did not return. His appearance tonight is doubtful. So, with 2 of their top 5 scorers possibly out, and IF you can shut down the Sedins, you're left with Horvat, an 11-goal scorer. That would be the equivalent of the Blues placing their offensive hopes on <span>Paul Stastny</span> or <span>Jori Lehtera</span>.</p>
<p>The biggest story is in net for the Blues. We have <span>Brian Elliott</span> returning from injury and getting the start tonight. Before going down, he was on quite a run - winning 5 straight and posting a .931 save percentage. Then things went to hell against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthefin.com/">Sharks</a> and he got hurt. With Markstrom losing to Edmonton last night, that means we should expect our old lucky ball and chain <span>Ryan Miller</span> in net for the Canucks. This season he has a 15-21-8 record and a .915 Sv%.</p>
<p>As odd as it seems, the Canucks are dealing with more injuries than the Blues are right now. In addition to the forwards mentioned above, Vancouver will be without <span>Markus Granlund</span>, <span>Derek Dorsett</span>, <span>Brandon Sutter</span>, and defensemen <span>Alex Biega</span>, <span>Yannick Weber</span>, <span>Luca Sbisa</span>, and <span>Alexander Edler</span>. Vancouver's Doctor Worm has been busy. Details are sketchy, but I'm pretty sure that Vrbata and Sbisa are both out with missing vowels. The news is a lot better with the Blues; not only is Elliott back, but the return of <span>Carl Gunnarsson</span> is imminent as well. We'll see how he responds to the morning skate today. If not, then expect <span>Robert Bortuzzo</span> back in the lineup, and the Blues site says that <span>Ryan Reaves</span> will slot in for <span>Magnus Paajarvi</span> tonight. Hope is not dead, despite reports to the contrary.</p>
<p>Things to watch for tonight: <span>Jaden Schwartz</span> is on a 4-game point streak coming into tonight's match. Coach Hitch is 1 short of 750 career wins, and <span>Vladimir Tarasenko</span> is currently sitting at 99 career goals and 98 career assists. I hope he bangs in a goal tonight. Lastly, <span>Alex Pietrangelo</span> is 3 short of 200 career assists. There are plenty of reasons for celebration tonight.</p>
<p><b>Further Reading:</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Nucks Misconduct</a></p>
<p><a href="http://canucksarmy.com/" target="_blank">Canucks Army</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.vancourier.com/pass-it-to-bulis" target="_blank">Pass It To Bulis</a></p>
<p><b>GameDay Twitter Feed:</b></p>
<p><a data-widget-id="516033528023105536" href="https://twitter.com/CrossCheckRaise/lists/gameday" class="twitter-timeline">Tweets from https://twitter.com/CrossCheckRaise/lists/gameday</a>
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<p><b>Final Verse: </b>Again with the late starts: the puck drops at 9 PM St Louis time, and the GameDay Thread should drop shortly beforehand. Come join us, eh? We'll help keep each other awake. The TV broadcast is on Fox Sports MW, and the radio call will be on KMOX 1120 AM. This road trip has some severe tire damage, I'm hoping we get through this with a win tonight.</p>
<p>Here's what happens when TMBG meets Homestar Runner:</p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZUgMpG1I_o8" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>LGB!!!</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/3/19/11269132/join-us-blues-at-vancouver-canucks-previewCrossCheckRaise2016-03-19T11:07:39-05:002016-03-19T11:07:39-05:00Blues At Canucks Open Thread: Moose Is Loose
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<p>The Blues need to pick up a win to keep pace with the Dallas Stars.</p> <p>This Western Canada roadtrip has been rough, and I take some blame for that.</p>
<p>From the open thread before the Flames game:</p>
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<p><span>But the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> have the ability to put some distance between them and the pack, starting tonight - the </span><a data-ref-index="12" href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Flames</a><span>, </span><a data-ref-index="13" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oilers</a><span>, and </span><a data-ref-index="14" href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Canucks</a><span> are up on the docket this week and none of them are playoff teams. Seize the moment, guys.</span></p>
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<p>Oops.</p>
<p>This season, whenever I have said what the Blues *should* be capable of doing, they have managed to do the exact opposite. So no, I'm not going to predict what's going to happen tonight, or what should happen against a team that isn't in a playoff spot, who only has 66 points, and whose power play is 24th in the league.</p>
<p>This is your open thread. While you're waiting on CCR's Road Music, head over to <a style="font-size: 12px;" href="http://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Nucks Misconduct</a> and say hi to the nice folks over there.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/3/19/11269064/blues-at-canucks-open-thread-moose-is-loosehildymac2016-03-18T19:11:21-05:002016-03-18T19:11:21-05:00Brian Elliott To Start Tomorrow Night In Vancouver
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<p>The Blues' goalie has been out for 10 games.</p> <p><span>Brian Elliott</span> went down with a lower body injury the night that <span>Jake Allen</span> came off of IR. Allen has started every game since, and has played well, but the Western Canada road trip has gotten off to a hellacious start. The <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blues</a> have surrendered 11 goals in the last two games while exploding for eight. Usually eight goals in two games'll get you something, but Allen needs a break.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=874418&navid=DL%7CSTL%7Chome">Perfect timing, then, that Brian Elliott will be back in net against the Vancouver Canucks</a>.</p>
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<p><span>"He feels good, no issues. It couldn’t come at a better time for both guys to be ready to play for us," Hitchcock said. "Ells will get the start on Saturday night and we’ll go from there."</span></p>
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<p>That means exactly what you think it means: no one has any clue who the playoff starter is right now.</p>
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<p>"I started the season wanting it to play out and it’s played out both ways," Hitchcock said. "I think after (these remaining) 10 games, I’m going to figure it out. But I don’t think I’m in a position based on both guys’ health to announce anything to anybody other than let’s play, let’s get some games in for everybody and see how we look.</p>
<p>"The feeling is we’ve had to use two goalies, and we might have to use two goalies again, we’re not sure," Hitchcock added. "I know I’m going to have to make a decision sooner or later here, but I’m not in a position to make it right now."</p>
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<p>To be honest, both goaltenders have played exceptionally well, and it is too early for Hitchcock to make a decision about the playoff starter. They still have ten games left. Hopefully getting Elliott back in net will help them salvage a couple points in Canada and solidify the top spot in a division where apparently no one wants to be number one.</p>
<p>The Blues've had a chance to add space between themselves and the competition and have faltered. With Elliott back, hopefully they can get back on track.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/3/18/11266184/brian-elliott-to-start-against-vancouver-canuckshildymac