St. Louis Game Time - Blues At Canucks GameDay Story Stream: Kelly Backes Is Still A SaintWe're one ugly bastard.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/10753/gt-fave.png2013-02-18T10:51:08-06:00http://www.stlouisgametime.com/rss/stream/37624392013-02-18T10:51:08-06:002013-02-18T10:51:08-06:00Roberto Luongo Trolls Himself On Twitter
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MI8DL50C8hXrUqGWzy_s83sHDjQ=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828169/large_stlouisgametime.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>One can imagine that he's going to get a comment or two from ticked off <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Canucks</a> fans, but personally, I found his tweet today hysterical.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Almost had him............ <a href="http://t.co/QB7EEvRp" title="http://twitter.com/strombone1/status/303543220665733120/photo/1">twitter.com/strombone1/sta…</a></p>
—Strombone (@strombone1) <a href="https://twitter.com/strombone1/status/303543220665733120">February 18, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>So close, Bobby Lou. So close. </p>
<p>If you don't follow Luongo (though it may not be him... just kidding. It totally is), then you're missing out on a great sense of humor, especially about the goaltending situation in Vancouver.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/2/18/4001268/roberto-luongo-trolls-himself-on-twitterhildymac2013-02-17T23:12:32-06:002013-02-17T23:12:32-06:00Blues Win In Shootout, Thanks To Jake Allen
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yFee_z2VwGvlQj60zkP0atNh_EA=/0x222:4000x2889/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/8296839/20130217_gav_as9_100.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This wasn't the cleanest of games for the Blues, with penalties at bad times and a few defensive zone breakdowns, but Jake Allen bailed the team out, and goals by Oshie and McDonald sealed it in the shootout.</p> <p>Just a quick one, because in case anyone's forgotten, I'm on the East Coast. God forbid these things ever end in regulation, no?</p>
<p>Anyway -- <span>Jake Allen's</span> play is making his shaky Peoria stats a thing of the past. He's now 3-0-0, and tonight got his first taste of the shootout. He completely out-dueled <span>Roberto Luongo</span> in the shootout, and came up with huge saves in overtime when they were needed. He wasn't the only Blue who had a big night. Pucks couldn't get through the <span>Roman Polak</span> door if they wanted to -- Polak had eight blocked shots on the evening. Defenseman Barret Jackman also had a good night, ending with an assist and being the driving force on Andy McDonald's awkward angled goal:</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Er-s8xV6sRQ" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1361164061151"></p>
<p>The game, though, wasn't the best played. The <a class="sbn-auto-link vt-p" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> didn't have much jump to start it off, and the third period was sloppy at best. Penalties taken when they shouldn't've been as well as an amazing inability to clear the zone both could have combined for a disaster, especially when the Blues were forced to kill a 5-on-3 with Polak and <span>Alex Pietrangelo</span> both sitting in the box.</p>
<p>Maybe the Blues didn't have much to worry about, <a class="vt-p" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2013/2/18/4000026/jake-allen-shootout-video-on-bench-ipad-blues-canucks" target="_blank">what with Allen scouting the shooters in the shootout from the bench before each one's turn</a>.</p>
<p>I wouldn't be shocked if Ken Hitchcock read them the riot act on sloppy play after this game, and he should. It wasn't clean, and it wasn't pretty. Yes, a win's a win, and yes, it's nice to come back to Scottrade on Tuesday having cleaned up on a road trip. The Blues will take the two points, but they're going to need to find a cleaner and more assured way of getting them without giving a point away for free.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/2/17/4000036/blues-at-canucks-recap-jake-allen-steals-two-points-blues-win-4-3-inhildymac2013-02-17T19:16:48-06:002013-02-17T19:16:48-06:00Blues At Canucks GameDay Thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lvEUnfmxE11PZUNsOdxVDonIjPo=/0x5:1000x672/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/8289867/140290260.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Derek Leung</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Tonight's the last game of a short three-game road trip for the Blues. Will they be able to close it out with a road win before facing off against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday?</p> <p>Hockey fans are interesting people, Canadian ones, especially. In Canada, this is normal:</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/M-WQx2N1aXA" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1361149907224"></p>
<p>Intense.</p>
<p>I'm not sure what a video recreation of tonight's game would look like -- Johnny taking on a blue polar bear and getting eaten, I guess. Anywho, it's <span>Jake Allen</span> against <span>Roberto Luongo</span> in net tonight, but before you get too excited about Jake the Snake, keep your eyes on the bench.</p>
<p>Barring warm-up disaster, <a href="http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=656133&navid=DL%7CSTL%7Chome" class="vt-p" target="_blank">Jaroslav Halak will be backing up Allen tonight,</a> and could be good to go on Tuesday night against the <a href="https://www.fearthefin.com/" class="sbn-auto-link vt-p">San Jose Sharks</a>. Looks like our fortunes are looking better. If the <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link vt-p">Blues</a> can keep up their quality of play, that five-game losing streak will be just a thing of the past and a blip on the radar.</p>
<p>Let's win this one. Let's make Johnny Canuck cry. Let's go Blues.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/2/17/3999450/st-louis-blues-at-vancouver-canucks-feb-17-2013hildymac2013-02-17T14:19:19-06:002013-02-17T14:19:19-06:00Blues At Canucks GameDay Preview
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Gph74uVerXQQ3XIgyi4csq9jruE=/0x52:600x452/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/8281211/gyi0062713576.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rich Lam</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Blues are taking on the Northwest Division leading Vancouver Canucks tonight. Will the Blues be able to exploit their weaknesses like the Dallas Stars did Friday night/</p> <p>ESPN.com hockey writer Scott Burnside has been travelling with the <a class="sbn-auto-link vt-p" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> during their three game road trip. He's been bringing insight into the locker room dynamics of the team as well as the coaching technique of Ken Hitchcock.<a class="vt-p" href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8955578/coach-ken-hitchcock-responsible-managing-st-louis-blues-balance-nhl" target="_blank"> From the latest installment of the series, Burnside brings up a players only meeting with the coach</a>:</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Players, stay on the bus," head coach Ken Hitchcock instructed as the team bus rolled into the charter terminal late Friday night.</p>
<p>Coaches and other staff departed the bus, leaving the coach with his players.</p>
<p>The coach explained to his players that they had produced their finest period of hockey on the road this season.</p>
<p>"But I told them the next step we've got to take to take our own engine forward is to play their own game, not to play the score," Hitchcock said.</p>
<p>He explained that they wasted too much energy getting away from the game plan in the final 40 minutes, turning the puck over in the neutral zone and allowing the Flames to get back in the game with three consecutive power plays and an early third-period goal.</p>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>That, right there, has been the source of nearly every problem that we've been seeing with the Blues this season. They get going great guns, and then build a comfortable lead. They lean back, and just wait for the game to be over -- which causes issues like the two goals allowed in Calgary. If they lean back, they have problems. And you absolutely cannot lean back with the <a class="sbn-auto-link vt-p" href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Vancouver Canucks</a>.</p>
<p>Luckily for the Blues, the Canucks have a similar issue when it comes to maintaining pressure. Vancouver was leading the <a class="sbn-auto-link vt-p" href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Dallas Stars</a> 3-1 in the second period on Friday night, and then they held back. They figured that <span>Kari Lehtonen</span> had to leave the game, so they didn't have to pressure as hard. What happened? The Canucks lost, 4-3. </p>
<p>If Vancouver is playing in their division, the admittedly weak Northwest, they're fine. If they're not, issues rear their ugly heads. The Blues play teams outside of the Central a little better than they do teams within their own division. They will have to deal with <span>Roberto Luongo</span> tonight, who is easing into his role as back-up quite well. He's undefeated in regulation this season and is leading the NHL's netminders with a teeny 1.45 GAA.</p>
<p>Keep your eyes on <span>David Perron</span> and Alex Steen. Perron scored two power play goals Friday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link vt-p" href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/">Calgary Flames</a>, and Alex Steen is riding a five-game point streak and is currently leading the Blues with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists). </p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/2/17/3998684/blues-at-canucks-game-day-preview-play-the-game-not-to-the-scorehildymac2013-02-17T14:00:01-06:002013-02-17T14:00:01-06:00Road Music, one last stop before coming home
<figure>
<img alt="The Schwartz is strong with this one...." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DBOSJlvI0uz00ztD3zxDNPMiDBQ=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/8277947/161778639.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The Schwartz is strong with this one.... | Derek Leung</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Road Music: President's Trophy Champs!</p> <p>Tonight's game is going to be stiffer competition than the <a href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/" class="sbn-auto-link vt-p">Flames</a> were Friday night. While their Cup window may be closing, the <a href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/" class="sbn-auto-link vt-p">Canucks</a> still have a lot of fight in them. It looks like the <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link vt-p">Blues</a> will be facing Luongo in net tonight; he's currently a fan favorite again in Vancouver. This is, of course, subject to change without notice, as the fans in Vancouver switch allegiances with their goalies on an almost daily basis. Two consecutive President's Trophies, and nothing to show for it: I suppose you can't blame them from being a little schizo.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Blues will have to start fast and not let up for the whole 60 minutes. Even as well as they played in Calgary, I could see a few moments where they seemed to let up on the gas. The Canucks can burn you if you give them the opportunity. But I'm not going to "pump their tires"...</p>
<p><a class="vt-p" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2180817/05_-_Pump_It_Up.mp3">Pump It Up / Elvis Costello</a></p>
<p><b>The Enemy:</b> The Canucks are off to a 8-3-2 start, riding essentially two starting goaltenders along the way. The incumbent starter, <span>Roberto Luongo</span>, is currently the hot hand with 1.45 GAA and .943 save percentage. <span>Cory Schneider</span> is no schlub with 2.62 and .912. While Luongo is being shopped around for the eventual trade that's been discussed for about 15 years, the other big story this year has been injuries. Vancouver's last game, a 4-3 loss to Dallas, saw the return of <span>Ryan Kesler</span>. But, as one returns, another center leaves, as <span>Manny Malhotra's</span> season is apparently over with continuing issues with an eye injury suffered in March 2011. Much has been written about the lack of depth in Vancouver, and injuries haven't helped. However, they're still at the top of the NW Division, and still a tough opponent. <span>Henrik Sedin</span> just passed <span>Markus Naslund</span> as the all-time leading scorer for the Canucks (757 career points, 0G 10A this year), and brother <span>Daniel Sedin</span> is leading the team with 12 points (4G 8A).</p>
<p><b>Further Reading:</b></p>
<p><a class="vt-p" href="http://www.nucksmisconduct.com/" target="_blank">Nucks Misconduct</a></p>
<p><a class="vt-p" href="http://vansunsportsblogs.com/topics/hockey/passittobulis/" target="_blank">Pass It To Bulis</a></p>
<p><b>Final Verse:</b> Yet another late one for Blues fans, as tonight's game starts at 8:00 St Louis time. The TV broadcast is on FoxSports MW, and the radio call is on KMOX 1120 AM. The GDT thread will drop shortly ahead of the puck. Until then, consider this your pregame skate. Gather here, revive the hate that generated during the 2009 playoffs, sing the praises of St. Kelly, and laugh again and again at Vancouver fans. At least their team has a sense of humor:</p>
<p><object width="425" height="350" class="mceItemFlash"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hu0YPftZoug">
<param name="wmode" value="transparent">
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hu0YPftZoug" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hu0YPftZoug" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> </p>
<p>Why Alain Vigneault was laughing. Full story (CanucksTV) (via <a class="vt-p" href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=hu0YPftZoug">Canucks</a>)</p>
<p><br id="1361126911248"></p>
<p><b>LGB!</b></p>
<p><i>-CrossCheckRaise</i></p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/2/17/3998370/road-music-02-17-vancouver-canucksCrossCheckRaise2013-02-17T12:08:36-06:002013-02-17T12:08:36-06:00Blues At Canucks Morning Open Thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xQV2RdoGpFiHB6m86vZSfUWx9fs=/0x55:600x455/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/8276425/gyi0062713617.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rich Lam</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Will Jake Allen get win number three? Will there be more superhuman saves? Will there be biting? Stay tuned.</p> <p>Apologies on the tardiness of the open thread. Presidents Day celebrations can get out of hand, yo. </p>
<p>Anywho, it's an 8:00 start time tonight as the <a class="sbn-auto-link vt-p" href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Vancouver Canucks</a> are nice enough to start the game early in their afternoon instead of at night. No 1:30 bedtime tonight, no sir! Hopefully the game will be a continuation of the return to <a class="sbn-auto-link vt-p" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> Hockey that we've been seeing as of late.</p>
<p>It'll be <span>Jake Allen</span> against <span>Roberto Luongo</span> tonight, so it's a battle of the back-ups, I guess. What a happy problem for the Canucks to have two starters. I wonder how that feels? Oh, wait -- we had that last season with the Blues. Maybe tonight'll be a flashback for <span>Brian Elliott</span> and we can get out of the basement of the league's save percentage.</p>
<p>Chat away -- later on there'll be a preview, some Road Music, the game day thread, and I'm hoping a Three Questions with the fine folks at Nucks Misconduct.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/2/17/3998368/blues-at-canucks-morning-ish-open-threadhildymac