fargoblues wrote:Well, apparently there's nothing wrong with 91 according to Hitch.
Um, ok then. That makes things worse...
If 91 is hurt, the coach would never admit it. Especially this coach.
I don't doubt the Blues as an organization are doing everything they can to diagnose his problem.
Is he hurt? Possibly. He seems just a hair behind the pace. He's not battling for the puck; fighting for his ice. That could certainly be injury related because, as we know, this is one confident son of a gun. The moment, the pressure....this isn't the kind of guy to shy away from that.
Is it the birth of his son? I could see that. We'll just leave it at that; goon's example was right on. Vladi is a human, although he's made us wonder at times.
It is just the Sharks? This is the most likely to me. They held down Tiffoli and Forsberg in the first 2 rounds. They have swarmed him with bodies and checked him. Hard. Burns gave him the shot to the ribs in Game 4. They've frustrated the hell out of him. Hat tip.
What could they do to help him? Put him with Stastny and Steen, the top line they started the season with? Him and Backes have always had good chemistry on the power play. I wouldn't mind those 2 together but the lines would be tough to construct around them, notably the 3rd line. Bring Reaves in to keep guys honest? I'd bet we see a change or two tomorrow.
Luckily, the kid still has a little time to get in this series. I think he's earned some leeway, but the time is now. He knows that better than anyone else.
2016-2017 LGB sponsor of your boy, goaltender Jake Allen and a center for Vladi Tarasenko (UPDATE: FOUND! Ryan O' Reilly. July 1, 2018).
2017-2018 LGB sponsor of a damn fine rearguard, Capt. Alex Pietrangelo.
2018-2019 LGB sponsor of the 2nd greatest Joel in Blues history, #6 Joel "Eddy" Edmundson.