St. Louis Game Time - Avalanche At Blues GameDay Storystream: Maybe Clinch Tonight, Instead?We're one ugly bastard.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/10753/gt-fave.png2013-04-23T21:51:49-05:00http://www.stlouisgametime.com/rss/stream/40203332013-04-23T21:51:49-05:002013-04-23T21:51:49-05:00Blues Clinch Playoff Spot, Beat Avs 3-1
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<figcaption>Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues are starting a new consecutive playoffs streak this season, as their 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche secure a spot in the top eight.</p> <p>We all knew that they were going to do it; it was just a matter of when. Sunday night? No. Tonight in front of their home team? Absolutely, and frankly, if you know that they're going to make the playoffs, wouldn't you rather have them do it it Scottrade? I would.</p>
<p>With 54 points, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> have clinched a playoff spot for the second season in a row. Sure, the point total isn't impressive, but if you do some terrible math and just multiply that point total by two, that gives them 108 points, just one off of their total for last year. I know that's not how it works, but work with me on this.</p>
<p>Tonight's game was courtsey of goals by <span>Chris Stewart</span>, <span>Patrik Berglund</span> (both on the power play! In the same game!) and <span>Vladimir Tarasenko</span>. The Blues almost doubled up shots on the Avs 34-18; <span>Semyon Varlamov</span> got minimal support tonight from his team.</p>
<p><span>Brian Elliott</span>, though, shone once again, allowing just one goal on 18 shots. The Blues' defense, with the exception of Sunday night's game, has been solid in holding off quality shots for the opposition, and that has really helped Elliott have a career month.</p>
<p>Of course, this win tonight broke <span>Jay Bouwmeester's</span> streak. Not the iron man one, but consecutive games without making the playoffs. Being on some pretty bad teams for those years didn't help Bouwmeester; one can imagine that making the playoffs was like a rock being lifted from his shoulders. Welcome to the big show, JBo.</p>
<p>Win or lose in these next two games, well...</p>
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<p>Very much hoping that we can see them in full glory after more than two rounds. The regular season's not over yet, though. The Blues still have a chance, though not a huge one, for home ice advantage. Here's hoping that <span>Barret Jackman</span> will be able to help the Blues secure that. Jaxx left in the second period and didn't return to the game, and no one immediately after the game seemed to know why. If anyone has an update, leave it in the comments.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/4/23/4259558/blues-defeat-avalanche-3-1-clinch-playoff-spothildymac2013-04-23T18:30:03-05:002013-04-23T18:30:03-05:00Avalanche At Blues GameDay Thread
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<figcaption>Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues are trying again to clinch their second playoff appearance in a row. Were they just stalling Sunday night in Colorado so they could do it at home?</p> <p>Ok, so we're trying this clinching thing again tonight, huh? Geeze Louise, this shouldn't be that hard, but this is the <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blues</a> and you really can never underestimate their amazing abilities to underwhelm and underplay. They're weird, they're streaky, the forwards could stand to play a hell of a lot better and smarter. I don't know what to think, but I do know what to hope for: no turnovers, no frustration penalties, and a win. </p>
<p>It shouldn't be complicated, but it is. The Blues always have to work for what they want, but it's no secret that they make a lot of the work for themselves. This can't fly in the playoffs, where a series is best of seven and frankly, other teams are quicker to not forgive mistakes.</p>
<p><span>Brian Elliott</span> will get a chance to redeem himself against the <a href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Avalanche</a> tonight, though that's a pretty disingenuous statement-- the whole team needs to redeem themselves. <span>Semyon Varlamov</span> is starting tonight for the Avs. He's played well against the Blues, but in his last start he allowed four goals on 24 shots against the <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Edmonton Oilers</a>.</p>
<p>This is your Game Day Thread. Let's clinch -- read that as you will.</p>
<p>Let's Go Blues.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/4/23/4257638/gamethread-for-colorado-avalanche-at-st-louis-blues-apr-23-2013hildymac2013-04-23T13:00:08-05:002013-04-23T13:00:08-05:00Avalanche At Blues Game Preview
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<figcaption>Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>The Avalanche haven't been good on the road this season, but the Blues haven't been good against the Avalanche. Will it all even out with a Blues win tonight? Here's hoping.</p> <p>Hey, remember Sunday night? No? Blues lost to the Avalanche in a game that most folks would prefer to ignore? </p>
<p>Yeah, I'm drawing a blank too. </p>
<p>No one was happy with the effort, with goalie Brian Elliott saying this after the game:</p>
<p>"We just didn't play as good as a team," Elliott said. "That's not how we want to play. Obviously, it's frustrating not getting the win and clinching a playoff spot like we had a chance to do tonight. That's what's frustrating.</p>
<p>"You can't dwell on this too much, you have to take (the loss) for what it is and learn from it. This is not the time of year to have a team effort like that. From the goalie out, we have to be better."</p>
<p>Well, it's Colorado, and they have the worst road record in the league: an impressive 3-15-4. Despite the fact that the Avs have won 11 of the last 14 games, the Blues stand a really good chance of winning tonight. Chances are one thing, doing is another. They might have 37.3 shots a game against the Avalanche, but that hasn't translated into beaucoup goals. Quite the opposite, actually. David Backes had a goal and an assist Sunday, and plays well against the Avs, but that doesn't go for the team as a whole.</p>
<p>The Blues have won three straight at home against the Avalanche. They need to win again tonight to clinch that playoff spot. Keep your fingers crossed that happens, or else we'll have to re-use some variant on "win and clinch" in the headline again on Thursday.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/4/23/4257206/avalanche-at-blues-preview-blues-can-clinch-tonight-hopefully-maybehildymac2013-04-23T08:03:18-05:002013-04-23T08:03:18-05:00Avalanche At Blues Morning Open Thread
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<figcaption>Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues can, again, clinch a playoff spot tonight with a win over the Colorado Avalanche. Thank God they can beat them at Scottrade.</p> <p>So, Sunday didn't go as planned with the winning and the clinching and the home ice advantage, did it? Admittedly, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> laid a massive egg in center ice; <span>Brian Elliott</span> got absolutely no help and <span>Jake Allen</span> probably got even less; the one game the Blues manage to score more than two goals in, the defense craps the bed and allows five.</p>
<p>Let's try this whole "clinching a playoff spot" thing again tonight, shall we? They could have clinched last night had the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/phoenix-coyotes">Coyotes</a> won over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wingingitinmotown.com/">Detroit Red Wings</a>, but neither team did the Blues any favors. Why should they? If the Blues clinch, they need to take responsibility and do it themselves. </p>
<p>No stupid aggravation penalties. No starting fights after clean hits that lead to power play goals. No getting frustrated -- if you do, then score. Score to your hearts' content, but don't be a dumbass, guys.</p>
<p>This is your morning open thread. Check back later for some Lighting the Lamp, a game preview, and your GDT -- and hopefully a celebratory "hey, they clinched!" recap.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/4/23/4256262/avalanche-at-blues-morning-open-thread-maybe-clinch-tonight-insteadhildymac