St. Louis Game Time - Blues At Stars Game One Storystream: Are The Odds In The Blues' Favor?We're one ugly bastard.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/10753/gt-fave.png2016-04-30T13:59:00-05:00http://www.stlouisgametime.com/rss/stream/112995232016-04-30T13:59:00-05:002016-04-30T13:59:00-05:00Beyond Checkerdome Quick Shot: Round 2 Game 1
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<figcaption>Whatcha laying down for, Schwartzie? | Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Could've gone better, to say the least</p> <p>This is the first time in history that we have ever done a Round 2 Quick Shot. We can only keep doing what we've always done and see how it works out. It got us this far, right? In the same vein, the <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blues</a> were a little unsteady and unsure in Game 1. They seemed to capture a little more of their essence in the third period, and if they can continue that further into this series we'll be just fine. We didn't really learn much of anything new: Roussel is an asshat, and <span>Brian Elliott</span> is amazing right now. We have a few questions for the team, hopefully they have answers in Game 2.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.hipcast.com/podcast/HgZPmfh4?embed=1&dark=1" height="100" width="100%"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Find a download link <a href="http://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HgZPmfh4" target="_blank">HERE</a></p>
<p>As always, we encourage feedback, hit us up <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ByndCheckerdome">@ByndCheckerdome</a>.</p>
<p>On to Game 2!</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>
<p>Tim / <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/CrossCheckRaise">CrossCheckRaise</a></p>
<p>Tyler / <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/KingDonutI">DonutKing</a></p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/4/30/11544790/beyond-checkerdome-quick-shot-round-2-game-1BeyondCheckerdome2016-04-29T23:28:35-05:002016-04-29T23:28:35-05:00Round 2, Game 1 Recap: Shooting Stars
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Elliott must have taken some medication to avoid the hangover.</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>...<span>Robby Fabbri</span>/<span>Paul Stastny</span>/<span>Troy Brouwer</span>...Patrik Berglund Alexander Steen/<span>David Backes</span>...<span>Steve Ott</span>/<span>Kyle Brodziak</span>/<span>Scottie Upshall</span></p>
<p>Defensemen - <span>Jay Bouwmeester</span>/<span>Alex Pietrangelo</span>...<span>Joel Edmundson</span>/<span>Kevin Shattenkirk</span>...<span>Carl Gunnarsson</span>/<span>Colton Parayko</span></p>
<p>Goalie - <span>Brian Elliott</span></p>
<p><b>Game Highlights:</b></p>
<p>The Blues looked to start off on the right foot in Dallas tonight as they began their second round match up against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Stars</a>. In front of a less than capacity crowd (lots of severe weather in the Dallas area may have had something to do with it) the Blues and Stars took to the ice. The first ten minutes of the first period were great for the Blues. As the period wore on however, the Stars would get their skates under them and start the push back.</p>
<p>Speaking of backs, Brian Elliott would use his backside to save a chance in the first period.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/elliotts-series-of-saves/t-277443738/c-43787603?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Later in the first, Joel Edmundson would just get acquainted with <span>Colton Sceviour</span> in the corner. (Stay tuned, their's more of that)</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/edmundsons-hit-on-sceviour/t-277443738/c-43788203?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Flash forward to the second period now, and the Blues have pretty much disappeared at this point. It was all Stars in the second. Brian Elliott would do his best to not let the Stars break through. Here he first would deny a <span>Vernon Fiddler</span> wrister and then would top it off with a pad save after <span>Jason Demers</span> would deflect the puck out of midair.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/elliotts-great-pad-save/t-277443738/c-43788803?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Unfortunately, Elliott can only do so much. The Stars would finally break through midway through the second. Everyone's favorite Star, <span>Antoine Roussel</span> (hashtag sarcasm) would bang home a rebound after Elliott would stop the initial shot from <span>Radek Faksa</span>.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/stars/video/embed/roussel-jams-home-rebound/t-277443708/c-43788903?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Want to know how bad the second period for the Blues has been in the playoffs so far? They have been outscored 12-3 and outshot 129-91! (Shots tonight were 17-11 in the second in favor of the Stars) That' probably not good. Luckily for the Blues they have a Moose. He played as great as he did in the first round. <span>Mattias Janmark</span> would find that out first hand as Ells would rob him of putting the Stars ahead 2-0.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/elliott-stones-janmark/t-277443738/c-43789303?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Joel Edmundson would say hi to Sceviour again in the third period.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/edmundsons-big-check-on-sceviour/t-277443738/c-43789403?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>The Blues would finally break through against <span>Kari Lehtonen</span>. (Yeah, it really took until the third period) Kevin Shattenkirk would get the Blues on board with a one timer set up by Colton Parayko.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/shattenkirks-equalizer/t-277443738/c-43789503?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>The Blues really did look like they got something going and then well, this happened.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/stars/video/embed/faksas-go-ahead-goal/t-277443708/c-43789603?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>With that the Blues fall 2-1 to the Stars. They go down 1-0 in the series. A few positives to take away...As horrible as the Blues had played certain times tonight, they only lost by one. Elliott is for real, and he will keep the Blues in this as long as he can. That's it really. Well there is one more positive...They are right back at it Sunday afternoon. (Note: Sunday will be on NBC. Tell your friends) Hopefully, we'll be talking a different result.</p>
<p><b>From The Twitter Machine:</b></p>
<p><b></b>Somehow this happened. (So many questions as to HOW by the way)</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cat on the ice. CAT ON THE ICE. <br><br>Which team is jinxed??? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash">#StanleyCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/NrKeyJ4lt1">https://t.co/NrKeyJ4lt1</a></p>
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLonNBCSports/status/726254603218481152">April 30, 2016</a>
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<p>Then it was followed up by...</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">At least if a cat were to appear during the Stars-Blues series it would have the comfort of knowing <span>Jamie Benn</span> wouldn’t eat it</p>
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteBlackburn/status/726260509612318720">April 30, 2016</a>
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<p>So why didn't you David?</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Backes: "We've got to play for a full-60 the way we did in the first series and we'll be just fine." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash">#stlblues</a></p>
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) <a href="https://twitter.com/StLouisBlues/status/726246942519357440">April 30, 2016</a>
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<p>And finally....Not sure if they really count as hits when the Stars seem like they're half the Blues size:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">So ... the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stars?src=hash">#stars</a> outhit the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash">#stlblues</a> 32-26. Beat the Blues at their own game?</p>
— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) <a href="https://twitter.com/lkorac10/status/726259282732142593">April 30, 2016</a>
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<p><b>Three Stars:</b></p>
<p><span>Third: Kari Lehtonen (31 saves, Didn't Lehton-en a bunch of goals. Sigh)</span></p>
<p><span>Second: Brian Elliott (40 saves. Somehow lost)</span></p>
<p><span>First: Radek Faksa (1 goal, 1 assist...I'm sorry, who is this guy that beat the Blues?) </span></p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/4/29/11542814/round-2-game-1-recap-shooting-starsJustin422016-04-29T18:30:02-05:002016-04-29T18:30:02-05:00GameThread for Blues At Stars, Game One
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues are starting round two on the road. Will they get some quick licks in on Dallas?</p> <p>Round one was fun, wasn't it? A little trying, perhaps, a little stressful, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> won.</p>
<p>It's not round one anymore. The talking heads are picking the Blues to win this series. Fans are feeling confident, but remember - this is round two. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Stars</a> aren't the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Blackhawks</a>. That could mean a tougher series, that could mean a quicker series.</p>
<p>Who really knows?</p>
<p>Tonight the Blues start a playoff series on the road for the first time since 2009, against the best team in the Western Conference. <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/morning-skate/for-a-change-blues-start-second-round-on-the-road/article_19fdcf2e-d624-5180-9f3c-5e8222cd0893.html">What does Ken Hitchcock have to say on the situation?</a></p>
<blockquote><p>"We need to win a game," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We need to hold home ice and we need to win a game at some period of time in Dallas. Might as well get started here on Friday and see what we can do. I'm sure both teams will be making some significant adjustments for the Sunday game, but you've got two teams that are pretty focused and pretty energized. Should make for some great hockey."</p></blockquote>
<p>Can't argue with that. This is your Game Day Thread. Comment like the STL line racked up points last series.</p>
<p>Let's do this. Let's Go Blues.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/4/29/11541784/gamethread-for-st-louis-blues-at-dallas-stars-apr-29-2016hildymac2016-04-29T12:00:02-05:002016-04-29T12:00:02-05:00Blues At Dallas Stars Round 2 Game 1 Preview
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<img alt=""Who is going to stop me ... you?"" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1eVbetYeoFfl-OLlqgPvljdX9M8=/0x0:4915x3277/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49432489/usa-today-9179397.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>"Who is going to stop me ... you?" | Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues open the series with momentum, but it won't be a walk</p> <p>Attention ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages.... put down your Patty Kane meme pics, your Jonny Toews jokes, and sober up for just a little while. Tonight, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> get to play in something that they haven't enjoyed in quite some time - the second round. As fun as that is for us, we're not even halfway through the postseason yet. The simple fact that the Blues open on the road should be the splash of cold water that brings us to reality. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Dallas Stars</a> didn't win the West for nothing. As our guest on Beyond Checkerdome put it "You don't finish with the best record in the conference to start being scared of teams". And he's right. You can be as confident in the Blues as you want, but that needs to come with a healthy amount of respect as well.</p>
<p>There are several previews out there already that cover the regular season series, their first round performances, and how each team compares segment by segment. Unless you live in a hole in the ground, you've seen them already. When it comes to predictions, the vast majority pick the Blues. Predictably, the staff of the St Louis Post Dispatch all gave the nod to the hometown boys (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/post-dispatch-predictions-unanimous-for-the-blues/article_ead6d9a5-fa5e-53b7-a239-0219aaa50976.html">link</a>), but surprisingly every single one of the writers for the Dallas Morning News also picked the Blues to win (<a target="_blank" href="http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2016/04/27/stars-blues-predictions-dmn-experts-make-picks-stars-fans-going-happy">link</a>). In a similar fashion, many <a target="_blank" href="http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2016/04/28/national-predictions-anyone-picking-stars-beat-blues">national pundits</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/yahoo-sports--nhl-playoff-picks--round-2-224103446.html">bloggers</a> are picking the Blues to take this round as well.</p>
<p>The consensus boils down to this: St Louis has a huge advantage in goal, a slight advantage in defense, and the Stars have the advantage in the forward corps. The Stars won't win many 1-0 games, but they can score in bunches to overcome the weaknesses in their own end. However, their offensive bite is missing one primary tooth. <span>Tyler Seguin</span> is still out, nursing an Achilles injury. He hasn't resumed skating yet, so he's definitely out the first two games and possibly more. His absence has been overcome by a fantastic effort by <span>Jamie Benn</span> and <span>Jason Spezza</span> . Those two lead the Stars in points (10 and 9 respectively) and will be carrying the load this time as well. Secondary scoring was provided by the Patricks: Eaves and Sharp with a combined 5 goals. All told, 11 different players scored for Dallas.</p>
<p>The Blues won the season series against the Stars with a record of 4-1-0, although any Dallas fan would be quick to reply that 3 of those Blues wins were either OT or shootout wins. This is evidence that this series is going to be a lot closer than those predictions would indicate. Both teams have shown the ability to rise to the occasion. However, I'd like to point out that each of those games were with the Blues missing key pieces. That is not the case now. Coach Hitch confirmed on Wednesday that everyone is healthy and will be available for Game 1.</p>
<p>For me, this is an important distinction. While the Stars are missing a major cog in their scoring machine, this is a fully armed and operational Blues Battle Station. Where the season series might make you think the teams are very evenly matched, none of those games featured THIS version of the St Louis Blues. This team is the one that held <span>Artemi Panarin</span> to 2 goals, <span>Patrick Kane</span> to 1 goal (an OT winner that was assisted by the Blues' D and fatigue), and <span>Jonathan Toews</span> to none at all. Nothing is an absolute, of course, but if the Blues can stifle the remaining Dallas big guns in a similar way, we got this. The evenness of this matchup starts to look a little hollow.</p>
<p>If you want to look at the numbers, a good rundown is available <a target="_blank" href="http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2016/04/28/previewing-stars-blues-breaking-teams-advantages-tale-tape">HERE</a>. Special Teams will also be a factor in this matchup. It won't take long for these teams to get fucking hostile with each other, but there needs to be a measure of discipline as well. Our advantages will do us no good if we're constantly shorthanded. Where the Blues feature <span>Steve Ott</span>, the Stars come back with <span>Antoine Roussel</span> and his hijinks.</p>
<p><b>Further Reading:</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.defendingbigd.com/">Defending Big D</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars">Dallas Morning News Sportsday</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> The game is scheduled for 7:00 PM St Louis time, but the puck probably won't drop for 15 or 20 minutes after that. The GDT will drop shortly beforehand, however. Please drop by and join us. The TV broadcast will be on NBC Sports Network, and the radio call will be on Y98 FM (KYKY 98.1). Until that time, get yourself revved up and ready for the weekend. Round 2 begins today.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AkFqg5wAuFk" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p>LGB!!!</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/4/29/11534014/vulgar-display-of-power-blues-at-dallas-stars-round-2-game-1-previewCrossCheckRaise2016-04-29T10:00:11-05:002016-04-29T10:00:11-05:00Blues at Stars Game One Media Coverage
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The second round of the playoffs begins tonight, and the options for viewing are a lot fewer.</p> <p>Game one tonight starts at a reasonable time, everyone! I repeat, game one starts at a reasonable time! A 7:00 pm. Central start was too much to ask for round one, but as the playoffs have tightened, the need to play musical chairs with the start times has dwindled.</p>
<p>Radio broadcast of tonight's game will be on Y98 FM, with a stream on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> website. Television is the strict purveyance of NBCSN for the evening, whose broadcast should be more even-handed from here on out (but whose pronunciation of Alex Pietrangelo's name should be as terrible as ever.</p>
<p>If you are not at home and would like to view the feed, it is available through NBCSN's LIve Extra streaming service on your phone, tablet, or computer. For computer access,<a href="http://nhlstream.nbcsports.com" target="_blank"> head directly to their stream beginning at 6:00 Central for their pregame analysis</a>.</p>
<p>If you feel like socializing while you watch the game, <a href="http://blues.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=97829&navid=DL%7CSTL%7Chome" target="_blank">the Blues are hosting Blues Bash events at several locations</a>. The main Blues Bash will be downtown at Ballpark Village on their absolutely massive big screen. The featured Hot Shots location for the evening is the O'Fallon, IL one (<span>1319 Central Park Dr., O'Fallon, IL 62269). If you head out, drive safely, and have fun. I'll be there with you in spirit, from my couch.</span></p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/4/29/11536874/blues-vs-stars-tv-coverage-game-time-and-live-stream-for-game-1hildymac2016-04-29T09:00:06-05:002016-04-29T09:00:06-05:00Round Two Predictions Strongly Favor The Blues
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Predictions are just shots in the dark, but some of hockey's best seem to think the Blues have a chance to make it to the WCF.</p> <p>Every round of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-playoffs" class="sbn-auto-link">Stanley Cup</a> playoffs brings out the Magic 8 Balls better known as "hockey pundits" with their predictions. Many of these are based on a gut feeling, many are based on statistical number crunching. Some are based on regular season records, some are focused on one particular stat, such as save percentage.</p>
<p>Whatever they're based on, this round the decision seems to be going in the <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blues</a>' direction.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/post-dispatch-predictions-unanimous-for-the-blues/article_ead6d9a5-fa5e-53b7-a239-0219aaa50976.html">Obviously, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch are going to pick the Blues, and every writer has done so</a>. Jeremy Rutherford has the Blues in six, saying:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>The only concern, and it's a big one, is getting into a track meet with the high-scoring <a href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Stars</a>. The Blues have to prevent that from happening and stay out of the penalty box. This is a winnable series, but the Blues will have to work just as hard as they did against the Hawks.</span></p>
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<p>This might be the factor that's pushing this series to six games in his eyes.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2016/04/27/stars-blues-predictions-dmn-experts-make-picks-stars-fans-going-happy">More surprisingly, every single sports columnist at the Dallas Morning News thinks that the Blues will win too</a>. Oof. Have some faith, guys!</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Get your bulletin boards ready. The Dallas Morning News hockey writers and columnists have spoken. We reached out to the SportsDay crew that will be in the press box during the Stars-Blues series and asked them for their predictions.</p>
<p>The result? Unanimity. All five of our hometown experts think the top-seeded Stars will fall at the hands of the St. Louis Blues.</p>
<p>Before you storm our offices at 508 Young St. with pitchforks (seriously, please don't -- we prefer strongly worded letters), keep this little tidbit in the back of your mind: <a href="http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-stars/stars/2016/04/13/sportsday-experts-make-stars-wild-picks-anyone-side-minnesota">All five of these guys predicted the Stars-Wild winner correctly</a>, with three of the five getting the amount of games exactly right, too.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So, if both hometown newspapers are predicting the Blues will win (mostly in six or seven games), what are the national guys saying? <a target="_blank" href="http://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/4/27/11518424/espn-round-2-predictions">ESPN already strongly favors the Blues</a>, as we've seen. CBS Sports' Adam Gretz and Chris Peters both pick the Blues in 6. USA Today's staff? <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnhl%2F2016%2F04%2F27%2Fnhl-stanley-cup-playoffs-round-2-predictions-picks%2F83584592%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stlouisgametime.com%2F2016%2F4%2F29%2F11535576%2Fstars-blues-round-two-predictions-strongly-favor-the-blues" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Straight Blues</a>.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/yahoo-sports--nhl-playoff-picks--round-2-224103446.html">The only contrarian over at Puck Daddy was Josh Cooper, who is picking the Stars in six</a>. Why? Well...</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>The Blues climbed a major mountain in beating the </span><a href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Blackhawks</a><span> in the first-round, but Chicago isn’t as deep as the Stars. Dallas developed a strong defensive identity near the end of the season, and I think their balance of speed and size will be too much for the Blues to handle. </span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Overall, the best of the playoff predictions come from two former players - <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theplayerstribune.com/ryan-whitney-mike-rupp-second-round-stanley-cup-playoff-preview/">Ryan Whitney and Mike Rupp, who look at the second round over on the Players' Tribune</a>. Peppered in with personal playoff remembrances (fun fact: Scott Stevens' locker room nickname was "Dad") are their analysis of each round, East and West. Both pick the Blues over the Stars. Both guys like the Stars and respect their offensive capabilities (how do you not?) but they also have a heady respect for the Blues' defense and goaltending.</p>
<p>Whitney, who was at the Blues' training camp twice on a PTO, had this to say about the team:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>I went to St. Louis’s training camp two years in a row on a trial. That is such a great group of guys. They are as close-knit as I’ve seen any NHL locker room. They have really grown together as a core — Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk, Backes, Steen. The organization had patience, which is rare these days, and they finally slayed the dragon when they beat Chicago. I couldn’t be happier for them. Kudos to those two teams for one of the best first-round series of all time.</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>He's had nothing but kind words about the Blues this post-season. Here's hoping that his - and everyone else's - are right.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/4/29/11535576/stars-blues-round-two-predictions-strongly-favor-the-blueshildymac2016-04-29T08:00:11-05:002016-04-29T08:00:11-05:00Blues At Stars Game One Morning Open Thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CvpWbsvTx21rcIRlwbCPiQWD2BE=/0x39:2175x1489/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49433487/usa-today-9180203.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues are the heavy favorites going into round two of the playoffs. Can they live up to expectations?</p> <p>After the emotional uncertainty of round one, where the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> eliminated the defending Cup champion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a>, Blues fans have reason to be optimistic. Maybe the Blackhawks were the most difficult challenge that the team will face? Maybe the second round of the playoffs won't be that bad?</p>
<p>Maybe the Blues' superior goaltending will stop Dallas' powerhouse offense? Maybe the Blues' defense has learned from their mistakes in round one - maybe the second periods will be tighter? Maybe Kari Lehtonen (.911 save percentage) and <span>Antti Niemi</span> (.870) will have issues with <span>Vladimir Tarasenko</span>, <span>Robby Fabbri</span>, and <span>Alex Pietrangelo</span>?</p>
<p>Maybe that 3-1-0 record against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Stars</a> during the regular season will hold up this round?</p>
<p>Why don't you guys chat about all of that in your morning open thread while we wait for the puck to drop. CCR will have your Road Music today, and we'll have some news and preview stuff coming up for you too. While you're hanging around, head over to <a href="http://www.defendingbigd.com/">Defending Big D</a> and say hi to our friends over there.</p>
<p>We may not agree on team loyalty, but we do agree that this is going to be a fun series.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/4/29/11535450/blues-at-stars-game-one-morning-open-thread-score-early-score-oftenhildymac