St. Louis Game Time - Kings At Blues GameDay Storystream: California Dreaming Of A WinWe're one ugly bastard.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/10753/gt-fave.png2014-01-02T22:15:16-06:00http://www.stlouisgametime.com/rss/stream/50288432014-01-02T22:15:16-06:002014-01-02T22:15:16-06:00GIF: Vladimir Tarasenko Spins In Goal Celebration
<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>There's something about the youthful exuberance of the new breed of Russian players in North America that contrasts so much with the Soviet players who chose to play in the NHL in the late 1980s/early 1990s. I mean, can you imagine Sergei Federov or Slava Kozlov celebrating like this?</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3800709/TarasenkoSpinCelebration.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Tarasenkospincelebration_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3800709/TarasenkoSpinCelebration_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1388722493343"></p>
<p>I mean, I guess you could imagine it, but it wouldn't be pretty.</p>
<p>Tarasenko now has 13 goals on the season</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2014/1/2/5268640/gif-vladimir-tarasenko-spins-in-goal-celebrationhildymac2014-01-02T21:55:38-06:002014-01-02T21:55:38-06:00Kings At Blues Recap: Blues Plow Kings 5-0
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oEtljY2YyjViKkz9FIwCfIa62Jk=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26167347/168335368.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Blues finally scored a first period goal and Brian Elliott stood tall as the Blues chase a goalie and take it to the Kings.</p> <p>You know that term "getting a monkey off your back?" I think that the Blues pulled that off tonight.</p>
<p><b>First Period:</b></p>
<p>Wow, you want excitement? No? The first eleven and a half minutes of the first period were for you! Aside from a high stick on Derek Roy by Matt Greene two minutes in, and Brenden Morrow's resulting power play goal on the double minor, it took both teams a while to get going.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020616-61-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe> <br id="1388714263451"></p>
<p>The Blues didn't get their second shot until over half of the way through the period; the first shot was Morrow's goal. The Kings doubled up the Blues on shots, 13-6 (Barret Jackman had one!) in the first, and the differencemaker was Brian Elliott.</p>
<p>Fun fact: <a href="https://twitter.com/stlblueshistory/status/418914581755330560" target="_blank">that was the Blues first first period goal against any team from California this year</a>! It's something to build on.</p>
<p>Puck possession? Well, thanks to Robb and <a href="http://www.extraskater.com" target="_blank">ExtraSkater.com</a>, we know that's something to build on too.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23stlblues&src=hash">#stlblues</a> vs LAK 1st per possession chart (fenwick) LAK is leading in possession which is no surprise (unfortunately) <a href="http://t.co/OfL5kTx8ds">pic.twitter.com/OfL5kTx8ds</a></p>
— Robb (@robbtuftshockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/robbtuftshockey/statuses/418925680588361728">January 3, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Second Period:</b></p>
<p>Chris Stewart - his face guard can only hope to contain him! So he took it off. Hockey players, eh? I like to think that he took the guard off in anticipation of a high tempo second to balance out the lull of the first, and if he did that, he was spot on.</p>
<p>The fun got started when Dwight King got whistled on a trip to Brenden Morrow. On the ensuing power play, and shortly after a flurry of activity that saw Jaden Schwartz and Magnus Pääjarvi miss some wide open nets, T.J. Oshie decided to remind everyone why America was great, swatting in a rebound from a Schwartz shot:</p>
<p><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020616-342-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe> <br id="1388717496924"></p>
<p>Inexplicably, Darryl Sutter yanked Martin Jones. Neither goal so far was really on Jones, per se, so it's easy to make the assumption that Sutter wanted to wake his team up and change the momentum. That worked well:</p>
<p><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020616-350-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe> <br id="1388717654846"></p>
<p>Nice face-off win yet again by Sobotka, and (though he hasn't been credited an assist for it yet) a slight direction of the puck by Schwartz to Oshie who just lasered it right past Ben Scrivens.</p>
<p>Things got dodgy with a 1:26 long five-on-3 after Stewart got called for boarding Jake Muzzin, and Sobotka got whistled for tripping Drew Doughty. Sobotka's penalty was more of an accidental knee than a trip, as he went in for the hit and changed his mind last second. Hits are like multiple choice tests. When you commit yourself, just stick with it.</p>
<p>In a symptom of the Kings' scoring woes, the Blues killed off both penalties and made sure that momentum was still firmly in their direction going into the third.</p>
<p><b>Third Period:</b></p>
<p>You know, I really think that the honeymoon for Scrivens and Jones might be over, and I really think that the Los Angeles Kings have a problem on their hands until Jonathan Quick gets back. How can I tell? Not by this excellent slip-sliding snipe from Vladimir Tarasenko, because I'm not sure if Scrivens could get his sights on this puck or not:</p>
<p><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020616-434-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe> <br id="1388720470020"></p>
<p>Weeee! Looks like someones doing a good job of showing the Russian Olympic scouts just why he needs to make the cut. That was Tarasenko's 13th on the season, which bumps his total so far this season up to five goals more than last year.</p>
<p>No, the reason why I say that the Kings might be having issues is this:</p>
<p><iframe height="395" width="640" frameborder="0" src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020616-442-h"></iframe> <br id="1388720824036"></p>
<p>When Barret Jackman can fire a bomb like that which you should be able to get a clean read on, and you let it fly in the net between your legs, there is a problem.</p>
<p>Eh, oh well. Tonight marks coach Ken Hitchcock's 100th win as a the coach of the St. Louis Blues. Goaltender Brian "I like to start stuff amongst the fanbase by playing awesomely while other goalies are sick" Elliott notched his 15th shutout as a Blue and his 11th win of the season.</p>
<p>#RoyWatch is up to 28 points, as Roy scored his 20th assist of the season.</p>
<p>The Blues get to be right back at it again as their former Central Division rival-ishes the Columbus Blue Jackets get into town.</p>
<p>
<link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2014/1/2/5268360/kings-at-blues-game-recap-elliott-shuts-out-kings-in-5-0-romphildymac2014-01-02T18:30:17-06:002014-01-02T18:30:17-06:00Kings At Blues GDT: Let's Go Streakin'
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eKMx8dDGjcedrS4oX8etdVavr9k=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26157391/167942294.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Blues ended the new year with a win against a slumping team - can they start one with the same?</p> <p>Tonight, a streak will be broken. Either the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a>' modest three-game winning streak will come to an end, or the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Los Angeles Kings</a>' four-game losing streak will conclude. I, along with everyone else reading this who is not a Kings fan, would prefer the former.</p>
<p>The Blues are getting healthier little by little, bit by bit, but will still be missing <span>David Backes</span> and Jaroslav Halak. Backes has been skating and participating in practice but not in full on contact, and Halak apparently has the plague or something*. <span>Jake Allen</span> has been recalled from Chicago. In the Kings' net the Blues will be seeing feel good story of the season Martin Jones. It's the first time for both - hopefully it won't be awkward on the Blues' side.</p>
<p>This is your gameday thread. Remember that just because <span>Dustin Brown</span> is on Team USA doesn't mean that we have to start liking him.</p>
<p>Let's do this.</p>
<p>Let's go Blues</p>
<p><em>*ed. note: not slang/metaphor for goalie controversy</em></p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css">
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2014/1/2/5268008/gamethread-for-los-angeles-kings-at-st-louis-blues-jan-2-2014hildymac2014-01-02T14:33:38-06:002014-01-02T14:33:38-06:00Kings At Blues Game Preview: GOALIE CONTROVERSY
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PQtJrhhaiDRuDIxejA_HbFRmcwc=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26144673/168345178.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Slowly but surely the Blues are getting healthy again, but they're still without notable players for tonight.</p> <p>Remember what I said in the preview about the possibility for Backes returning tonight? Scratch that.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Backes said he's progressing and hopes to be in "in the next little while." Don't look for tonight though. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23stlblues&src=hash">#stlblues</a></p>
— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) <a href="https://twitter.com/lkorac10/statuses/418794132295794688">January 2, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
Well, still, at least <span>Ryan Reaves</span> is in tonight. <span>Chris Stewart</span> should be too, and<a target="_blank" href="http://lkorac10.blogspot.com/2014/01/1-2-14-kings-blues-gameday-lineup.html"> it sounds like from what he told Lou Korac that he was pretty close to being called Puddin Jr</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"A little bit of dental work yesterday morning. Not the ideal way you want to start off the new year," Stewart said. "... I didn't lose any (teeth), just pushed a couple back, got them realigned there, a couple wires and stuff like that. Nothing too serious. "</p>
<p>... You obviously want to take precaution with concussions these days. Just follow the concussion protocol. I felt good the last two days and I'm ready to go tonight."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>"Oh, you know, just some wires and dental surgery. No biggie." If that's not a hockey player (and a damn lucky one) I don't know what is.</p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3706325/bloglinks.css">
<div class="blog-links-compact-container">
<h4>
<span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span> Tonight's Competition <span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
</h4>
<div class="blog-links-compact-link-container">
<a href="http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Los Angeles Kings blog Jewels From The Crown</a>
<a href="http://www.battleofcali.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Battle of California blog Battle of California</a>
</div>
</div>
<p>Of course, no <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blues</a> game would be complete without some goalie controversy thrown into the mix. Who knows if it's real or not, but it's fun to pester Korac and Jeremy Rutherford about it on Twitter, huh? <span>Brian Elliott</span> gets the start tonight because a) he's the hot hand right now and b) Halak's sick. Jake Allen's been called up from Chicago - but JUST BECAUSE HALAK IS SICK.</p>
<p>Sheesh.</p>
<p>I shouldn't have to remind you that the Blues haven't won a game yet against a Californian team. It sure would be nice to start.</p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css">
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2014/1/2/5267158/kings-at-blues-game-preview-backes-out-stewart-and-reaves-backhildymac2014-01-02T11:00:02-06:002014-01-02T11:00:02-06:00Lighting the Lamp: Kings Of The Road
<figure>
<img alt="2011-12 Gatineau Olympiques game worn jersey. Note it is basically an L.A. Kings jersey with a Gatineau crest" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kpitTtEFw7laSBbOohqZqAJB-jA=/0x11:1100x744/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26103209/gatineau_olympiques.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>2011-12 Gatineau Olympiques game worn jersey. Note it is basically an L.A. Kings jersey with a Gatineau crest | Rick Ackerman</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>You might recognize the "Lighting the Lamp" feature from the Game Time paper. Rick Ackerman has been nice enough to send over his column for the website. "Lighting the Lamp" will be featured every home game day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i>Lighting the Lamp, with Rick Ackerman</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Perhaps you have heard of <u>The Curse of Capistrano</u>, a 1919 historical novella that first featured the famous Californio character, Zorro, the fox, later immortalized in films by actors Douglas Fairbanks, Tyrone Power, Guy Williams and Antonio Banderas. Unless you are a student of history, it is unlikely you are aware of an industrial "war" on the west coast in 1882, made famous by a lithograph entitled "The Curse of California", depicting a huge octopus, labeled "Rail Road Monopoly", strangling the financial life out of businesses and farmers, fruit-growers, and wineries in the Golden State.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Of more interest to St. Louis hockey fans, however, is a more recent "Curse of California" that has been placed by the hockey gods on the <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Blues</a>, a hex that started on May 4, 2013. After defeating Los Angeles 2-1 in the second game of the opening round of the 2013 playoffs on May 2, the Blues have now lost nine games in a row to California teams, out-scored 17-34. Tonight's visitors, the <a href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kings</a>, won five of those games, all by one goal, and the first round playoff series last May. Los Angeles also ousted the Blues in the second round of the 2012 playoffs, winning four straight games, out-scoring the Blues 6-15 in the sweep. And the Kings won the only meeting of this season on December 2 in California, 3-2. St. Louis had another terrible first period, out-scored 0-2 and out-shot 9-13. The Blues fought back and scored twice in the third period thanks to Kevin Shattenkirk's goal and assist, out-shooting the Kings, 11-4, yet could not put one more past goaltender <span>Ben Scrivens</span>, who saved the game for L.A. in a frenetic third period. Rookie Tyler Toffoli scored twice for the Kings.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>It wasn't always like this for the Blues and Kings in the playoffs, though. In two previous meetings in 1969 and 1998, the Blues swept both series. In 1969, the Blues won all four games, out-scoring the Kings 16-5, and in 1998, the Blues again won all four, this time out-scoring the Kings 16-8.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>The two-year old St. Louis Blues were the class of the Western Conference at the end of the 1968-69 season. Led by coach Scotty Bowman, the Blues finished first, 19 points ahead of the Oakland Seals. Led by center Red Berenson with 35 goals and 82 points, the Blues also featured snipers Gary Sabourin (25 goals) and Ab McDonald (21).</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Supplemental scoring was provided by Camille "The Eel" Henry, Ron Schock, Frank St. Marseille and Tim Ecclestone. A formidable defense was led by the Plager brothers, Barclay, Bob and Billy, Al Arbour, Noel Picard, Jean-Guy Talbot and Doug Harvey.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Aging all-stars Glenn Hall and Jacques Plante shared the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltending tandem. St. Louis eliminated both the <a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Flyers</a> in the opening round and Los Angeles in the second round with sweeps, only to be swept themselves by the eventual <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-playoffs" class="sbn-auto-link">Stanley Cup</a> champion <a href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Montreal Canadiens</a>. Berenson led the Blues with seven goals, followed by Sabourin with six, and winger Larry Keenan with four. Sabourin was the points leader with 11, one more than Berenson. Plante sparkled in the playoffs with a 1.43 goals against average, winning eight of ten games with three shutouts.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>The 1998 Blues finished third in the Central Division with 98 points, 11 behind the <a href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Stars</a> and five behind the <a href="https://www.wingingitinmotown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Red Wings</a>. The powerhouse Note, led by first-year coach Joel Quenneville,<span> </span>led the league in scoring that season, led by Brett Hull (27 goals and 72 points in 66 games), center Pierre Turgeon (68 points), Geoff Courtnall (31 goals), defenseman Steve Duchesne (56 points), <span>Pavol Demitra</span> (52 points in 61 games), Al MacInnis (19 goals, 49 points) and winger Jimmy Campbell (22 goals). Other key players included defensemen <span>Chris Pronger</span>, Jamie Rivers and Marc Bergevin, centers <span>Craig Conroy</span> and Terry Yake, and enforcers Kelly Chase and Tony Twist. Grant Fuhr and Jamie McLennan were the goaltenders. Led by Campbell's seven goals in ten games and Pronger's ten points in ten games, the Blues easily defeated Los Angeles in the opening round, only to lose to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Red Wings in the second round, two games to four.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>The most memorable incident in the series against the Kings was in game three. Los Angeles had a 3-0 lead midway through the third period when Courtnall ran into goaltender Jamie Storr, knocking him into the crossbar and onto the ice. Kings' defenseman Sean O'Donnell jumped on Courtnall behind the net and continued to punch him as Courtnall covered up while on his knees. O'Donnell was assessed a five-minute penalty for fighting by referee Don Koharski, and the Blues took full advantage, scoring four straight power play goals against the stunned Storr to win 4-3 and take a commanding 3-0 series lead. Incidentally, that was Brett Hull's last year playing for the Blues. The unrestricted free agent signed a three-year, $17M contract with the Dallas Stars in July, 1998.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Expect another tough, tight battle royal tonight as these two Western Conference rivals butt heads in a primal demonstration of athletic dominance. The Blues feel they have something to prove by ending the "Curse of California" and the Kings want to show they can continue their winning ways over the Note. Fans tonight will see the proverbial immovable object meet an unstoppable force NHL style.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2014/1/2/5264704/lighting-the-lamp-kings-of-the-roadhildymac2014-01-02T08:00:03-06:002014-01-02T08:00:03-06:00Kings At Blues Morning Open Thread
<figure>
<img alt="This photo is a subtle hint as to who is in net tonight. See if you can figure it out!" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cQM74kWn_0dIlmh-KozlRGGzwjc=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26104167/168345628.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>This photo is a subtle hint as to who is in net tonight. See if you can figure it out! | Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Blues have had difficulties so far this season against Californian teams. Will they break the streak tonight?</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blues</a> are a mortifying 0-5 against Californian teams so far this season. They've been outscored 24-11, with the lowest margin of loss coming against the <a href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Kings</a> back on December 2nd. That 3-2 loss was notable for a slow start, trudging play, and a last minute hurrah that fell short.</p>
<p>It wasn't anything to write home about.</p>
<p>Factor in the fact that they've been held up by the Kings two season in a row in the playoffs, and that tonight is the poster giveaway of <span>Alexander Steen</span> (who is out, BTW) scoring on Quick in game one of the quarter-finals, and there's something to shoot for. A win. Just a basic win.</p>
<p>
<link href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3706325/bloglinks.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
<div class="blog-links-compact-container">
<h4>
<span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span> Tonight's Competition <span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
</h4>
<div class="blog-links-compact-link-container">
<a href="http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Los Angeles Kings blog Jewels From The Crown</a> <a href="http://www.battleofcali.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Battle of California blog Battle of California</a>
</div>
</div>
<p>So, if Steen's not in, who is?</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Stewart's upper lip looks bad after taking a puck to the face but he said he's fine. Hitch said team will know Thurs if Stewart is playing.</p>
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) <a href="https://twitter.com/jprutherford/statuses/418465852778741760">January 1, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Decision on Backes suiting up against <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23lakings&src=hash">#lakings</a> will also wait until tomorrow.</p>
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) <a href="https://twitter.com/jprutherford/statuses/418466141871165440">January 1, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Reaves and Leopold have been given full clearance and could come off IR as soon as tomorrow. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23stlblues&src=hash">#stlblues</a></p>
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) <a href="https://twitter.com/jprutherford/statuses/418467117801828352">January 1, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p>Don't get too awful excited about that last one. Leopold's off of IR but he's not exactly in tip-top "get in there and play" shape. But hey, progress!</p>
<p>This is your morning open thread. While you're killing time waiting for the Lighting the Lamp and a preview, don't forget to head to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Jewels From The Crown</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.battleofcali.com/">Battle Of California</a> and say hello. They're nice people; more than likely that comes from that 5-0 Californian record against the Blues.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2014/1/2/5264732/kings-at-blues-morning-open-thread-california-dreaming-of-a-winhildymac