GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Discuss the St. Louis Blues, the NHL, or anything hockey. (Formerly the Blues News Forum)

Moderator: LGB Mods

User avatar
dmiles2186
Hockey God
Hockey God
Posts: 7288
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:29 am
Location: Selling Air Bombays--for kids who want to coach

GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by dmiles2186 »

I haven't dreaded a Blues game like this in quite a while.
BLUES (52-20-7) at WILD (42-26-12)

TV: NBCSN, TSN2

Last 10: St. Louis 5-5-0; Minnesota 6-3-1

Season series: This is the fifth and final game. The St. Louis Blues have won all four games against the Minnesota Wild, including each of two games at Xcel Energy Center, where the Wild are 14-7-5 all-time against the Blues.

Big story: The Blues are ahead of the Wild in the standings, but they have much more at stake Thursday. The Wild clinched the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference's Stanley Cup Playoff race with a 4-3 shootout win against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. The Blues (111 points) are two points ahead of the Colorado Avalanche for the Central Division title and are also locked in a race with the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks for the top seed in the West.

Team Scope:

Blues: St. Louis, which until recently had the best record in the NHL, has lost three games in a row and trails Boston by three points in the race for the Presidents' Trophy. With five wins in their past 10 games, the Blues are in danger of having the Avalanche, who are 7-1-2 in their past 10, pass them and claim the top spot in the Central. The team that wins the division will avoid a first-round playoff series against the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.

Wild: Unlike last season, when Minnesota backed into the playoffs on the regular season's final day, the Wild are rolling right now. Minnesota has taken at least a point in seven of its past 10 games, opening up a healthy lead for a wild-card spot on the Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes before clinching a berth Tuesday.

"Last year, it was disappointing how we made the playoffs," defenseman Ryan Suter said after the game Tuesday night. "This year, we've been playing well and played ourself into the playoffs the way that you want to."

Who's hot: St. Louis forward Alexander Steen, who returned Tuesday from an upper-body injury that cost him three games, has three goals and seven points in his past six games. He leads the Blues with 33 goals and 60 points despite missing 14 games with an injury earlier this season. … Minnesota forward Erik Haula has flourished on the second line in place of injured Mikael Granlund. The rookie has a point in four of his past five games and five points (two goals, three assists) in eight games.

Injury report: Blues forwards David Backes (lower-body) and Vladimir Tarasenko (hand) are out. … Wild forwards Mikael Granlund (upper body) and Jason Zucker (quad), defensemen Clayton Stoner (knee) and Keith Ballard (groin) and goaltenders Darcy Kuemper (upper body), Josh Harding (illness) and Niklas Backstrom (abdominal) are expected to miss the game.
Image

2015-2016 LGB Sponsor of Not Ott, because he is a booger-eating dumb dumb

User avatar
gaijin
Hall Of Fame
Hall Of Fame
Posts: 4820
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2003 7:46 pm
Location: Peterson AFB, CO

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by gaijin »

Ok boys, show us how much you want the Central Division title.

2 points, please. :letsgoblues:
Image

User avatar
dmiles2186
Hockey God
Hockey God
Posts: 7288
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:29 am
Location: Selling Air Bombays--for kids who want to coach

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by dmiles2186 »

Also, it should be noted that Anaheim won last night, clinching the Pacific division title, and passing us up in points. They're at 112 to our 111.

Tonight, the Avs take on the Canucks at 9. So when tonight is over, it's entirely possible we could be in 2nd place in the Central, or 1st place in the West.
Last edited by dmiles2186 on Thu Apr 10, 2014 8:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
Image

2015-2016 LGB Sponsor of Not Ott, because he is a booger-eating dumb dumb

flyingnote38
1st Line Sniper
1st Line Sniper
Posts: 747
Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2003 9:25 pm

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by flyingnote38 »

With 3 games left, the Blues still control their own destiny in the West with their magic number for the division being 5 points and for the conference 6.

The sharks 'clinched' a worse record than the Blues last night leaving the Ducks, Aves, Pens, and Bruins as the only 4 teams that could finish with a better record than the Blues. The Blues would need alot of help to best the Bruins for the President's Trophy sitting 3 points back with 3 each to go and Boston holding the tie-breaker. Of course the best help would be to not worry about the Bruins and roll off a three game winning streak to end the season.

Tarasenko's hand surgery was 22 days ago (ie 3 weeks ago yesterday) with an initial announcement of a reassessment in "6 weeks". He should be able to be conditioning prior to that point, but we will need to right the ship without him as barring a major change in his treatment plan, he won't be available for another 3 weeks.
2016-7 sponsor of Jaden Schwartz
2017-8 sponsor of Tage Thompson
2018-9 sponsor of Ryan O'Reilly
2019-20 sponsor of old time hockey
2020-21 sponsor of Jaden Schwartz
2021-22 sponsor of Pavel Buchnevich
2022-23 sponsor of Brayden Schenn
2023-24 sponsor of Justin Faulk
2024-25 sponsor of Philip Broberg

cardsfan04
Hall Of Fame
Hall Of Fame
Posts: 4027
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:43 am

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by cardsfan04 »

From what I've been hearing, Tarasenko is ahead of schedule, possibly WAY ahead. He's been skating in practices for awhile now and has even started stick handling. Somebody on Twitter suggested he could possibly be back BEFORE round 1 starts, but that seems unrealistically optimistic. But, I've heard a number of others suggest he could be back before the end of round 1. That would be huge.
2010-2011 Official LGB Sponsor of Kevin Shattenkirk
2016-2017 Official LGB Sponsor of Dmitri Jaskin
2017-2018 Official LGB Sponsor of Jake Allen

kodos
Hockey God
Hockey God
Posts: 11892
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:05 pm

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by kodos »

The team actually has something to play for now. Now we see if they were just phoning it in because they had nothing to play for, or if they have true deep problems.

Losing the Central is a very very real possibility now. Very very real.

I don't care about the Presidents trophy. 1st in the West would be great, but more than anything, WIN THE ****ING CENTRAL.

This entire great regular season will be right in the S*** CAN if they screw this up in the last week.
Image

User avatar
WaukeeBlues
Hockey God
Hockey God
Posts: 6164
Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:00 pm
Location: Phi Alpha

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by WaukeeBlues »

Need more goals...

Let's Go Blues!
Official 2021-2022 LGB Sponsor of Torey Krug
Official 2021 LGB Sponsor of Brayden Schenn
Official 2018-2019 LGB Sponsor of Jaden Schwartz
2018 LGB Playoff Challenge Champ
Official 2017-2018 LGB Sponsor of Vladimir Tarasenko
Official 2016-2017 LGB Sponsor of Scottie Upshall
Official 2015-2016 LGB Sponsor of Kevin Shattenkirk

User avatar
crazyhorse
3rd Line Grinder
3rd Line Grinder
Posts: 172
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:14 am
Location: Illinois

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by crazyhorse »

Backes in walking cast!
2012-2013 official LGB sponsor of Vladimir Sobotka
2013-2014 official LGB sponsor of Ryan Miller
2014-2015 official LGB sponsor of Alexander Steen
2015-2016 official LGB sponsor of Kyle Brodziak
2016-2017 official LGB sponsor of Alexander Steen
2017-2018 official LGB sponsor of Scotty Upshall
2018-2019 official LGB sponsor of Brayden Schenn

User avatar
cprice12
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 21530
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2003 1:26 am
Location: Center Ice
Contact:

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by cprice12 »

crazyhorse wrote:Backes in walking cast!
He'll miss the last 3 games and then he'll play in the playoffs... or so says Hitch.
LETS GO BLUES RADIO
LIVE weekly broadcasts on YouTube & http://www.LetsGoBlues.com/radio!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/curtprice
Lets Go Blues Radio Twitter: https://twitter.com/lgbradio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cprice12/
Lets Go Blues Radio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lgbradio/

User avatar
cprice12
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 21530
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2003 1:26 am
Location: Center Ice
Contact:

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by cprice12 »

I think it's worth mentioning that Hitch has said that he more or less isn't that concerned with wins and losses right now...but how the team is playing and responding to things...and he wants the team to be ready to go for the playoffs.

You'd think if the team is playing well and responding well to situations, that they'd actually be winning...but whatever.

I'm so ready for the end of this reg. season. I don't care that much about the last 3 games. Yes, I want them to win the division and the West, but I just want the playoffs to get here and the Blues to start winning games when they really count.

Let's just win tonight and have Colorado lose in Vancouver...and that all but wraps up the division with a 4 pt. lead with 2 games to go. That will get people off the edge of the bridge.
LETS GO BLUES RADIO
LIVE weekly broadcasts on YouTube & http://www.LetsGoBlues.com/radio!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/curtprice
Lets Go Blues Radio Twitter: https://twitter.com/lgbradio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cprice12/
Lets Go Blues Radio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lgbradio/

User avatar
Rocketpop
LGB Booster - Yellow
LGB Booster - Yellow
Posts: 5764
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2003 12:34 pm
Contact:

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by Rocketpop »

Prediction: Blues score more than one goal.
Signature removed by cprice12: Suggestive Avatar

User avatar
STLADOGG
All-Star
All-Star
Posts: 2492
Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2009 8:41 pm
Location: -Saint Freaking Louis-

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by STLADOGG »

From NHL.com
Here are the projected lineups:

BLUES

Alexander Steen - Vladimir Sobotka - T.J. Oshie

Dmitrij Jaskin - Patrik Berglund - Jaden Schwartz

Brenden Morrow - Derek Roy - Steve Ott

Chris Porter - Maxim Lapierre - Ryan Reaves

Jay Bouwmeester - Alex Pietrangelo

Barret Jackman - Roman Polak

Carlo Colaiacovo - Kevin Shattenkirk

Ryan Miller

Brian Elliott

Scratched: Jordan Leopold, Ian Cole, Magnus Paajarvi

Injured: David Backes (left foot), Vladimir Tarasenko (thumb)
So Jaskin and Porter play before Paajarvi? Interesting.
Image
Official Stalker of Paul "Speedy Gonzalez" Kariya
2014-2015 Official LGB Sponsor of Vladimir Tarasenko
TW Tiger Woods TW

User avatar
Rocketpop
LGB Booster - Yellow
LGB Booster - Yellow
Posts: 5764
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2003 12:34 pm
Contact:

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by Rocketpop »

I'm beginning to think I was completely wrong about Halak... I mean, wildly inconsistent has to be better than consistently mediocre-at-best.
Signature removed by cprice12: Suggestive Avatar

User avatar
STLADOGG
All-Star
All-Star
Posts: 2492
Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2009 8:41 pm
Location: -Saint Freaking Louis-

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by STLADOGG »

This game is Ass backwards.
Image
Official Stalker of Paul "Speedy Gonzalez" Kariya
2014-2015 Official LGB Sponsor of Vladimir Tarasenko
TW Tiger Woods TW

User avatar
Nyghtewynd
LGB Booster - Yellow
LGB Booster - Yellow
Posts: 4559
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2003 1:41 am
Location: St. Louis, MO

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by Nyghtewynd »

We are seriously at the point where it's fair to ask if you should fire Hitch in order to attempt to salvage the season. If they bomb out, he'll certainly be fired. I don't think I would, but I'd think about it. This season has come completely off of the rails.
dhabums wrote:You and your buddies here are a joke and most of this site knows it.
Sponsor of Having A Real Good Time, Happy Pony, and all those who suffer from being right all the time.

User avatar
Krigloch the Furious
All-Star
All-Star
Posts: 1753
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2005 12:58 pm
Location: Springfield, IL

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by Krigloch the Furious »

These guys suck
They are playing like the worst team in the league. Getting owned by a piece of crap goalie.

KPFBlue
3rd Line Grinder
3rd Line Grinder
Posts: 118
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:20 pm

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by KPFBlue »

Ott and lapierre have been the worst players on the ice the last three games. Veteran leadership is a mirage
Official 2011-12 sponsor of Chris Stewart

not_a_wings_fan
Hall Of Fame
Hall Of Fame
Posts: 3382
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:27 pm
Location: Anywhere but here

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by not_a_wings_fan »

Winning everywhere except the score.

These last few games really highlight the lack of an elite scorer or two on this team.

Let's just hope the bad luck is all used up in these shitty games and we bury pucks come the real season.

Is miller as bad as his line in the box score tonight? Is this just a matter of the limited chances were high quality or are these softies?
Official 2008-2015 LGB Sponsor of Barret Jackman

flyingnote38
1st Line Sniper
1st Line Sniper
Posts: 747
Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2003 9:25 pm

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by flyingnote38 »

Well that's a new low.

Get the giant fork ready..........
2016-7 sponsor of Jaden Schwartz
2017-8 sponsor of Tage Thompson
2018-9 sponsor of Ryan O'Reilly
2019-20 sponsor of old time hockey
2020-21 sponsor of Jaden Schwartz
2021-22 sponsor of Pavel Buchnevich
2022-23 sponsor of Brayden Schenn
2023-24 sponsor of Justin Faulk
2024-25 sponsor of Philip Broberg

User avatar
dmiles2186
Hockey God
Hockey God
Posts: 7288
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:29 am
Location: Selling Air Bombays--for kids who want to coach

Re: GDT #80: 4/10/14 > Blues @ Wild > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Post by dmiles2186 »

This team was undefeated in regulation against the Central division just a few weeks ago. They now have 5 (I believe). Something has happened to this team. It's not just Tarasenko, it's not Steen's injury (and now Backes and possibly Osh). Losing while playing OUR game is one thing. We're not. We don't look remotely the same.
Image

2015-2016 LGB Sponsor of Not Ott, because he is a booger-eating dumb dumb

Post Reply