Round One : St. Louis Blues v Minnesota Wild

[Kerfuffle]

The other intangible that we see come every playoffs is a team that is mediocre in the regular season but then dominates the postseason. And likewise we see teams like Minnesota on a roll then they enter the playoffs and the nerves get to them and they're a different team. This is why we play the games.

[cprice12]

Last night on the NHL channel all 3 analysts unanimously picked Minnesota over the Blues in round 1. Dubnyk is lights out - that's why I see them and picked them to win the conference - even though the team I want to win is different.

I heard them say that too.
And every single point they made as a reason why the Wild will win, were actually reasons you could give as to why the Blues will win the series.

That show was actually a pretty bad playoff preview analysis. Not because they picked the Wild, but because they didn't talk about the strengths and weaknesses of each team and seemed to just rush through it. There wasn't really any in depth stuff either. Weeks even said one of the reasons he is picking the Wild is because they have "The State of Hockey" behind them. WTF? That's fluff.

I like how people are all about Dubnyk...I mean, he has been outstanding and he saved their season...but Allen has been just as good since the all-star break, he just hasn't played in as many games.

- Allen is 10-1-2 in his last 13 starts with something like a 1.75GAA and a .931 save%. Very similar to Dubnyk's numbers since the All-Star Break.

But...

It's all about how you are playing right before going into the playoffs, right?
In their last 5 games to end the season, all against playoff teams...

- Dubnyk finished 1-3-1 with a 2.35 GAA and a .914 save% (includes a loss to the Blues were he allowed 3 goals in 2 periods before being pulled)

- Allen finished 4-1-0 with a 1.22 GAA and a .955 save%

Neither goalie has any playoff experience, so either could be a deer in headlights...that remains to be sean.
So be careful if you are picking the Wild solely based on Dubnyk's numbers. Because Allen has been just as good in the 2nd half, and has actually been substantially better to end the season.

[Misc. Blues]

I'll re-post this so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

Here's a funny stat.

Last 40 games 28-9-3 for 59 pts for the Wild since Dubnyk

Last 40 games 25-11-4 for 54 pts for the Blues missing Shatty for 25 of those games

Hey they are better than us by 2.5 games...for a whopping total of 5 pts.

Let the games begin.

[cprice12]

I'll re-post this so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

Here's a funny stat.

Last 40 games 28-9-3 for 59 pts for the Wild since Dubnyk

Last 40 games 25-11-4 for 54 pts for the Blues missing Shatty for 25 of those games

Hey they are better than us by 2.5 games...for a whopping total of 5 pts.

Let the games begin.

Don't forget missing Tank for 6 games and Steen for 5 games as well.

[Misc. Blues]

I'll re-post this so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

Here's a funny stat.

Last 40 games 28-9-3 for 59 pts for the Wild since Dubnyk

Last 40 games 25-11-4 for 54 pts for the Blues missing Shatty for 25 of those games

Hey they are better than us by 2.5 games...for a whopping total of 5 pts.

Let the games begin.

Don't forget missing Tank for 6 games and Steen for 5 games as well.

I just thought it was interesting that everybody is picking the Wild because of Dubnyk's play. The Wild were very sloppy down the stretch. I saw probably the last 20 or so games of the Wild and I was not impressed. Don't get me wrong Dubnyk was really good but the team in front of him was average at best. Our team has had it's up and downs this year too but after the whole Oshie-gate the team has been focused. I just think we have the better team from top to bottom over the Wild. The Wild will be lucky to win 1 game. I picked the Blues in 5 being generous to the Wild.

[ecbm]

jNe is still a moron. This is the best Blues team in my lifetime. No other Blues team had talent in depth like this one, which is why no other Blues team has seen (regular season) results like this. The 2000 won the Presidents' trophy in a weaker version of conference. That's the only one close. The Hull teams had no depth at all.

Analysis of this series is real simple but since guys gotta have jobs, you know, they drag it out talking about irrelevant stuff, bringing up non-sequitirs and failing to notice when they've contradicted themselves.

The Blues are the better team on paper. That's why we finished two places ahead of the Wild in the division and were several points better overall. The Blues are a fully fleshed-out cap team with a very talented homegrown core supplemented by some high-end veterans. They are expected to go deep to the point that analysts all agree that Hitch's position will be in the balance if the Blues fail to get out of the 2nd round.

The Wild are a good team that leans heavily on a single line and a still relatively-untested goalie. They have been very hot recently, and they have relatively little pressure on them. Consider: the Blues acquired Ryan Miller last deadline and even then nobody was sure if it made the team any better. This year, everyone's crowing that the Wild brought in Stewart, a player the Blues discarded in the Miller deal as he was deemed inessential. He wasn't better this season than last.

Again, the Wild are somewhat one-dimensional offensively. Shut down Parise's line and see if the rest of them can beat a top-4 team in the NHL. They lost 6 of their last 8 against playoff teams and their power play is atrocious. A workload like Dubnyk's does have an effect and also means that the backup you may need is completely cold.

Blues in 5.

[Kerfuffle]

I'm going with Wild in 6. They were pretty impressive last year in the second round when we played them and I felt they were so close to winning it all. The big intangible against the Blues is the way you guys exited round 1 the past 2 seasons. That was a factor in my prediction here.

I think you guys also drew the worst matchup for round 1. You should have gotten a Calgary or Vancouver for winning the division. I like the old seeding better.

[cprice12]

I'm going with Wild in 6. They were pretty impressive last year in the second round when we played them and I felt they were so close to winning it all. The big intangible against the Blues is the way you guys exited round 1 the past 2 seasons. That was a factor in my prediction here.

I think you guys also drew the worst matchup for round 1. You should have gotten a Calgary or Vancouver for winning the division. I like the old seeding better.

You're basing your predictions based on the last two playoffs?
Last year the Blues had injury issues going into Rd. 1 and struggled down the stretch.

I like the matchup between the Blues & Wild. Is it the most ideal? No...but it's better than Winnipeg and some others.
If you visit the Wild discussion forums, a lot of Wild fans feel the Blues are the better team and aren't crazy about the matchup at all...which says a lot.

I would have liked to have maybe played Nashville instead of the Wild, but Rinne can steal a series all by himself...so I'd just as soon play someone else, even though Nashville wasn't the same after they lost 2 in a row for the first time all season.

This Blues team is a much deeper and more talented team than the ones that bowed out the last couple seasons, blowing 2-0 series leads. The addition of Stastny & Lehtera at center and with Schwartz & Tarasenko both having breakout seasons...we are substantially more solid and deep up front.

Shattenkirk is playing at a Norris trophy level, Pietroangelo has been damn good in the last 25 games and has cleaned up his game...Bortuzzo has been a very positive addition.

Goc was a very nice depth addition and helps make our 4th line the best 4th line in the NHL (arguably), Jaskin has become an impact player in spurts, we have different (better) goaltending than last year (no matter who plays...Allen or Elliott). We are so deep up front that Backes could be pushed back to the 3rd line and play with Jaskin & Berglund.

I'm hoping Bortuzzo plays instead of Gunnarson...but I don't see that happening.

When comparing this team to the teams the last two seasons...we are so much better top to bottom now. I'm not saying the Wild can't win the series, they obviously can...but I think the Blues win it in 5 or 6 and move on to Rd. 2 against the Hawks.

[glen a richter]

I disagree about our 4th line. I think it's pretty lousy and not moving in the direction 4th lines are trending around the league.

[cprice12]

I disagree

Duly noted.

[JesusNEVERexisted]

Ecbm, you obviously haven't followed the Blues for long. No way is this their deepest team ever. There are several that were deeper. Just as an example look at the 90-91 Blues.

Hull, Oates, Courtnall, Scott Stevens, Brindamour, Jeff Brown, the Cavallini bros., Rich Sutter, Cliff Ronning, Rick Meagher, Nelson Emerson and CUJO in goal. I know those last few aren't the greatest but you mentioned DEPTH and even coach Brian Sutter said how important they were.

That team beat the hated Wings in the first round in 7 games and it was a very good Wings team with Yzerman & Fedorov despite their record. Then they lost to Minnesota in 6 games. But that team did better than any Blues team has in 13 years!

[Kerfuffle]

You're basing your predictions based on the last two playoffs?
Last year the Blues had injury issues going into Rd. 1 and struggled down the stretch.

Respectfully, the Blues needs to first prove they can get out of the first round. So yes I'm basing my predictions on the last 2 years. The Blues didn't just lose the last 2 years, they choked. Especially after winning both the first 2 games each year in dramatic OT fashion and having all the momentum. The team looks great on paper I agree but can they overcome the playoff funk? That's the question. And since Minnesota went to the 2nd round last year and looked great, and now is even better this year I have to pick the Wild in this series.

[glen a richter]

What we all, and the team, should have learned is to not take any kind of series lead for granted. Win game one then tighten the screws in game two, then tighten them some more in game three and so on. Each game must be played tougher than the one before it for sustained success. Any laying back and taking anything for granted and we'll see the same movie as the last two years.

I'm happy about the team being healthy and going into the playoffs on a high note. That's a great start. Now don't waste it. I don't think they will.

[cprice12]

You're basing your predictions based on the last two playoffs?
Last year the Blues had injury issues going into Rd. 1 and struggled down the stretch.

Respectfully, the Blues needs to first prove they can get out of the first round. So yes I'm basing my predictions on the last 2 years. The Blues didn't just lose the last 2 years, they choked. Especially after winning both the first 2 games each year in dramatic OT fashion and having all the momentum. The team looks great on paper I agree but can they overcome the playoff funk? That's the question. And since Minnesota went to the 2nd round last year and looked great, and now is even better this year I have to pick the Wild in this series.

Saying they choked implies they played poorly and got the yips or something. That series last year was outstanding...and they outplayed Chicago in game 3, but Crawford was good and they just couldn't score. That was the turning point.
They played a great series. Chicago was bailed out in game 3 and then got better from that point forward.
If it was the exact same team as last year, you'd have a point...but there are a number of different faces, key players that make this team better, that are in the lineup this time around that had nothing to do with last year, including our goaltender.
I get what you are saying...but it kind of sounds like a "from afar" analysis...like something the national media guys might say.
There is an odd confidence among the fan base surrounding this team that is in the air. A calm confidence you might say...which is odd because of the recent playoff disappointments. At least that is the vibe I am picking up. Maybe it is a general lack of respect towards the Wild...in that they aren't Chicago or LA, so we should be able to handle them. But it's primarily due to the fact that this team is substantially better than last year's team, which was quite good...but had some issues going into the playoffs with injuries and slumping play.

[glen a richter]

You're basing your predictions based on the last two playoffs?
Last year the Blues had injury issues going into Rd. 1 and struggled down the stretch.

Respectfully, the Blues needs to first prove they can get out of the first round. So yes I'm basing my predictions on the last 2 years. The Blues didn't just lose the last 2 years, they choked. Especially after winning both the first 2 games each year in dramatic OT fashion and having all the momentum. The team looks great on paper I agree but can they overcome the playoff funk? That's the question. And since Minnesota went to the 2nd round last year and looked great, and now is even better this year I have to pick the Wild in this series.

Saying they choked implies they played poorly and got the yips or something. That series last year was outstanding...and they outplayed Chicago in game 3, but Crawford was good and they just couldn't score. That was the turning point.
They played a great series. Chicago was bailed out in game 3 and then got better from that point forward.
If it was the exact same team as last year, you'd have a point...but there are a number of different faces, key players that make this team better, that are in the lineup this time around that had nothing to do with last year, including our goaltender.
I get what you are saying...but it kind of sounds like a "from afar" analysis...like something the national media guys might say.
There is an odd confidence among the fan base surrounding this team that is in the air. A calm confidence you might say...which is odd because of the recent playoff disappointments. At least that is the vibe I am picking up. Maybe it is a general lack of respect towards the Wild...in that they aren't Chicago or LA, so we should be able to handle them. But it's primarily due to the fact that this team is substantially better than last year's team, which was quite good...but had some issues going into the playoffs with injuries and slumping play.

I'm cautiously optimistic. I haven't had this kind of optimism in the past, especially last year with the way the season ended, but this year I keep having these visions of a finals appearance, a long, sustained run and Backes hoisting the Cup over his head. I am more optimistic this year than ever before, and I sense that, in general, around here as well. A convincing 1st round win would help cement my optimism.

[JesusNEVERexisted]

Cprice & richter, I don't how long you've been following the Blues but obviously not for long. An odd/calm confidence? Never been this optimistic?

I heard the KMOX radio show after their crushing game 7 loss to the Flames in 1986 and Dan Kelly said this Blues team is destined to win or at least get to a Cup within a COUPLE years!

After Kelly Chase was traded in the 90s he hated it and said the Blues were going to win the Cup that year! He said Blues fans would be jumping from rafters and buildings during the parade! Even around 2000 there was boundless confidence about a Cup parade with Laurie's super rich team with NO salary cap.

So I ASSURE you! There has been this much or even more confidence & optimism before. Plus don't you think there was TONS of confidence with 4 time Cup winner Gretzky here with Hull? They did do very well that year even if they didn't go all the way.

[STLADOGG]

Cprice & richter, I don't how long you've been following the Blues but obviously not for long. An odd/calm confidence? Never been this optimistic?

I heard the KMOX radio show after their crushing game 7 loss to the Flames in 1986 and Dan Kelly said this Blues team is destined to win or at least get to a Cup within a COUPLE years!

After Kelly Chase was traded in the 90s he hated it and said the Blues were going to win the Cup that year! He said Blues fans would be jumping from rafters and buildings during the parade! Even around 2000 there was boundless confidence about a Cup parade with Laurie's super rich team with NO salary cap.

So I ASSURE you! There has been this much or even more confidence & optimism before. Plus don't you think there was TONS of confidence with 4 time Cup winner Gretzky here with Hull? They did do very well that year even if they didn't go all the way.

Oh god, this was a mistake....

[glen a richter]

Cprice & richter, I don't how long you've been following the Blues but obviously not for long. An odd/calm confidence? Never been this optimistic?

I heard the KMOX radio show after their crushing game 7 loss to the Flames in 1986 and Dan Kelly said this Blues team is destined to win or at least get to a Cup within a COUPLE years!

After Kelly Chase was traded in the 90s he hated it and said the Blues were going to win the Cup that year! He said Blues fans would be jumping from rafters and buildings during the parade! Even around 2000 there was boundless confidence about a Cup parade with Laurie's super rich team with NO salary cap.

So I ASSURE you! There has been this much or even more confidence & optimism before. Plus don't you think there was TONS of confidence with 4 time Cup winner Gretzky here with Hull? They did do very well that year even if they didn't go all the way.

I've been following the Blues for 22 of my 33 years. I know Curt is a bit older than me, so presumably has been following even longer. Do the math.

[cprice12]

Cprice & richter, I don't how long you've been following the Blues but obviously not for long. An odd/calm confidence? Never been this optimistic?

I heard the KMOX radio show after their crushing game 7 loss to the Flames in 1986 and Dan Kelly said this Blues team is destined to win or at least get to a Cup within a COUPLE years!

After Kelly Chase was traded in the 90s he hated it and said the Blues were going to win the Cup that year! He said Blues fans would be jumping from rafters and buildings during the parade! Even around 2000 there was boundless confidence about a Cup parade with Laurie's super rich team with NO salary cap.

So I ASSURE you! There has been this much or even more confidence & optimism before. Plus don't you think there was TONS of confidence with 4 time Cup winner Gretzky here with Hull? They did do very well that year even if they didn't go all the way.

I have been a fan for almost 30 years, so I don't need a history lesson. I remember that stuff.

You mistake my comments as meaning there has never been optimism around any Blues team before, when that isn't at all what I said. We've had some great teams...and that just shows you how good we think this team really is...or can be when it counts.

You can believe whatever you want, but the teams in the past were always lacking something, like goaltending or offensive depth or a stud defenseman or luck or whatever. That is just the way it is. And we could have won a cup with a couple of those teams. But things just didn't fall our way. We have had no shortage of great players, but we haven't had as complete of a team as we have right now...and that is the truth. Now, that doesn't guarantee anything. But there most certainly is a calm confidence with the fan base right now...at least there is with most of the folks who pay close attention to the team. Like I said, part of that is probably due to the fact we aren't playing Chicago or LA in the first round, and that we don't think the Wild are quite as good as the national media does.

Saying this team is not the best team we have ever had, is interesting. What team has been better?

[JCShutout]

Screw them all. Let the media and trolls pick the Wild. I hope the Blues are watching that preview cprice mentioned. Give the Blues some more motivation please.

This is a very, very good team, as has been said. With how the playoffs are such a crapshoot, you build a good team and take your shot. We've built our good team. Come Thursday, we start to take our shot.