GDT #71: 3/13/12 > Blues @ Blackhawks > 7:30 PM > FSMW/KMOX

[dmiles2186]

Two big streaks ended last night...the PK streak and the 'Blues never lose when scoring 3 goals' streak. On the former, it was a great run, but glad it's over. On the latter, my biggest worry was that the first lost would come at a REALLY bad time (say, a game 7 in the playoffs), so I'm glad we don't have to worry about that.

I'm still not that concerned about the loss. The Blues did play crappy, but it was one game. This game reminded me of the Winnipeg game where the Blues were dominated and played like crap but hung on for a shootout win. Only difference this time around is they lost in the shootout.

But I think we should have some perspective, the Blues have 98 points. They can't win them all.

[Jackman5]

Well to me the boys seemed really gassed from their long road trip. Lots of 'tired' mistakes. The good news is that they got 1 point and played terrible...and Halak has been amazing. Sure hope the boys can get some rest to get their legs back. I didn't like many of the calls, but when you are a team on ropes you usually don't get the calls. The blues were definitely on the ropes.

It's only the second game and it hasn't been long. Columbus to Chicago isn't that far. If you're talking about the 6-gamer well, then, that's just silly. They had three at home after that. Not gassed, just the lack of intensity and focus. They got a 3-1 lead and forgot how to get the puck out of their own zone. Generally they played like shit.

[theohall]

After the Blues PP, they started playing that 1-2-2 crap way too soon. 2 minutes into the 2nd period with a 2 goal lead and they start playing shell hockey? It was almost like Hitch was intentionally resting the team, because they had that 3rd goal.
And #25 should never ever ever be on a line with Oshie and Backes. He single-handedly ruined several offensive opportunities. Every time #25 is promoted to that line, he immediately starts playing like ass. I would rather see Schwartz play and #25 a healthy scratch. Maybe then #25 will finally get the damn message.

[DaDitka]

I don't mean to cry...they sky is falling....but three straight lackadaisical performances has to raise some eyebrows.

That said, last night looked a little different. We seem to be playing more on our heals and making bad decisions with the puck more then just being lazy.

[tjk002]

Does anyone else here think that Oshie is looking really tired out there? He seems to be trying to do too much and losing the puck at the blue line on a regular basis as well. No I'm not bashing him, he just looks like he's skating in quick sand compared to what I'm used to seeing from him.

[ohio BLUES]

Does anyone else here think that Oshie is looking really tired out there? He seems to be trying to do too much and losing the puck at the blue line on a regular basis as well. No I'm not bashing him, he just looks like he's skating in quick sand compared to what I'm used to seeing from him.

He looked totally gassed during the 2-on-1 to start the game, that's why Hossa caught him and knocked him off the puck. I realize it was the end of a shift, but it was his first shift...

Maybe a night in the pressbox wouldn't be the worst thing for Oshie and others -- Backes has played every game so far. Get energized for the playoff run.

[ohio BLUES]

The game was the highest rated ever (regular season) on Fox Sports Midwest.

http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=622225

Well done, Blues!

[WaukeeBlues]

I think several of you need to take a chill pill

More than anything, I think it was the COACHING less the effort. Towards the end of the 2nd and into the 3rd the Blues were already playing a "protect the lead" game. That never ends well with that much time left. And sure enough, the Hawks were getting chance after chance and what do you know, they actually bury one.

I'll give the boys credit though: IMMEDIATELY after that Hawks 3rd goal they came out on reckless abandon and had a great scoring opportunity and looking like the team of the first period before (again) another penalty threw them off then it went back to gridlock style for the rest of the game. Kind of the theme all game: too many penalties. You can't lean that heavily on your PK for a whole game and expect to win. It just won't happen.

Hitch doesn't let off the gas and keeps pushing the same scheme all game I think we win 4-1. But that's me.

Stewart: I actually thought he looked good. There were times he held on to the puck too long but he had his hands going tonight, didn't make any glaring errors and DID seem to be skating hard. Not sure why he's getting dumped on.

[DaDitka]

I think several of you need to take a chill pill

More than anything, I think it was the COACHING less the effort. Towards the end of the 2nd and into the 3rd the Blues were already playing a "protect the lead" game. That never ends well with that much time left. And sure enough, the Hawks were getting chance after chance and what do you know, they actually bury one.

I'll give the boys credit though: IMMEDIATELY after that Hawks 3rd goal they came out on reckless abandon and had a great scoring opportunity and looking like the team of the first period before (again) another penalty threw them off then it went back to gridlock style for the rest of the game. Kind of the theme all game: too many penalties. You can't lean that heavily on your PK for a whole game and expect to win. It just won't happen.

Hitch doesn't let off the gas and keeps pushing the same scheme all game I think we win 4-1. But that's me.

Stewart: I actually thought he looked good. There were times he held on to the puck too long but he had his hands going tonight, didn't make any glaring errors and DID seem to be skating hard. Not sure why he's getting dumped on.

I guess you missed the part where Hitch said he never plays prevent defense. He can't stand it and you should never play that way....post game Saturday.

That wasn't his call......not in the least.

[theohall]

I think several of you need to take a chill pill

More than anything, I think it was the COACHING less the effort. Towards the end of the 2nd and into the 3rd the Blues were already playing a "protect the lead" game. That never ends well with that much time left. And sure enough, the Hawks were getting chance after chance and what do you know, they actually bury one.

I'll give the boys credit though: IMMEDIATELY after that Hawks 3rd goal they came out on reckless abandon and had a great scoring opportunity and looking like the team of the first period before (again) another penalty threw them off then it went back to gridlock style for the rest of the game. Kind of the theme all game: too many penalties. You can't lean that heavily on your PK for a whole game and expect to win. It just won't happen.

Hitch doesn't let off the gas and keeps pushing the same scheme all game I think we win 4-1. But that's me.

Stewart: I actually thought he looked good. There were times he held on to the puck too long but he had his hands going tonight, didn't make any glaring errors and DID seem to be skating hard. Not sure why he's getting dumped on.

I guess you missed the part where Hitch said he never plays prevent defense. He can't stand it and you should never play that way....post game Saturday.

That wasn't his call......not in the least.

He may have said that, but it is painfully obvious the Blues drop into a 1-2-2 very often when they don't have puck possession and a 2 goal lead.

[cprice12]

Look on the bright side...Detroit is playing some pretty bad hockey right now.

1st place in the Central and home ice in at least the first round is ours.

[not_a_wings_fan]

The guys looked scared last night. Shell shocked. Halak is the only reason that didn't turn into a blowout.

I think it looked like prevent because the guys were changing shifts when they cleared the puck - because they spent way too much time in their own end. But I think it was more about poor breakouts leading to turnovers and forcing shifts to be spent trying to get the puck back.

Chicago played our game last night.

It's one game. We will be fine.

[DaDitka]

But I think it was more about poor breakouts leading to turnovers and forcing shifts to be spent trying to get the puck back.

Seriously, I thought we forgot what color we were wearing last night with that passing. And when we did pass it to the correct color, it was a horrible pass.

[AlsWoodenStick]

But I think it was more about poor breakouts leading to turnovers and forcing shifts to be spent trying to get the puck back.

Seriously, I thought we forgot what color we were wearing last night with that passing. And when we did pass it to the correct color, it was a horrible pass.

All this can be attributed to them being tired, I think. They looked worn out from two physical games against a better Columbus team IMO. We'll be fine.

[goon attack]

Don't know if it's been said yet, but I'm glad they lost this game considering that SI story was on their balls like a drunk sorority pledge at a frat kegger.

I bet Hitch is glad too, in a way.

Time to refocus. I hope that game made them realize they aren't rock stars... just in case they were getting any ideas.

[goon attack]

Stewart: I actually thought he looked good.

Was it the piss poor decisions crossing the blue line or the piss poor shots from bad angles that led you to this moronic opinion?

Stewart should be handling the puck as little as possible. Dude needs to watch some Brett Hull tapes for like 10000 hours so he can learn how to get into scoring position so he can be fed the puck by people with a clue.

[goon attack]

I'm not sure what the hell Mayers was upset about...Reaves got him with a good clean hit. Sure, make him answer the bell if he is going to dish out a hit like that, that's understandable, but to go off on the Blues bench, saying he is going to go after a skilled guy? What the hell?

Yeah, it's as if Jamal "Cinderbock Hands" Mayers thinks HE'S a skill guy.

[glen a richter]

Someone said it, forgot who... too lazy to look back. I think it was Theohall, Stewart needs to sit and Schwartz needs to play. If that doesn't light a fire under 25 that he's sitting in favor of a kid with ZERO professional experience, I honestly don't know what would. Honestly, 25 doesn't have an excuse to be tired, he doesn't exert any energy as it is when he's supposedly out there. I was hoping for a 5-2 road trip... 5-1-1 sounds good too. The odds of winning every game the rest of the season were extremely low to begin with, you know we're kind of spoiled by the success this season but we can't expect them to win every game. I think they'll be able to pick it up another level come the playoffs. Hitch himself said that this team can bring it to another level and I tend to trust his opinion. I'm not overly concerned about this one loss. It's not like we lost 10-0, we stayed in a game that was a complete overmatch. The defense will NOT give up this many shots every night, especially in the playoffs.

[theohall]

Re-watching the game... the Blues were just exhausted. Don't know why, but it was clear with the way they made lazy passes, were outskated to pucks almost every shift by the 'Hawks, and kept repeating the same mistake - turning the puck over near the Blues blueline such that it ended up dead center on the goal just inside the blueline, and the 'Hawks kept pounding shots from there over and over and over again.

If someone wants to really notice how tired the Blues legs were - look at the shootout. All 3 of the 'Hawks players seemed to be skating really fast, while all three Blues players looked like they were skating in quicksand.

Getting 1 point out of a road game with that kind of play was a bonus.

On the #25 thing - goon attack nailed it. He needs to skate and find space, not try to move the puck around. He repeatedly loses pucks off his stick in a) neutral ice or b) just entering the offensive zone. When he has the puck on the boards, it seems as if he has no idea where to go with the puck. On at least two occasions, he just fired it behind the net where a 'Hawks defender was already waiting and the Blues were then sitting back letting the 'Hawks attack them. Not surprisingly, when the 3rd period rolled around, #25 was back on the line with Arnott - AGAIN. This is the only time I have ever seen #25 actually be effective on a shift-to-shift basis and this time, Arnott fed him a nice pass to a faceoff dot which likely should have been one-timed, but he wound up holding the puck and just throwing it back to the covered Arnott in the corner.

With Arnott's and Langenbrunner's size and speed, imagine what a play-making forward like Schwartz could do on that line. Yes, the issue is more about him learning the system before he gets thrown into the fire, but he has to get thrown in some time. Why not on the road against an Eastern Conference foe?

[not_a_wings_fan]

If they are tired after an off day then they have bigger problems than goal scoring. That's a bullshit answer. Every team in the league is tired. Sack up and play.

Stewart needs to move his damn feet more than anything I see. He took a pass across the ice late in that game, it was a bad pass, and he waited for the puck to catch up to him and settle before bringing it undercontrol. If he has a brain, he quickly corals it and turns on the jets and has a break away. Instead he gives the D and another forward plenty of time to recover and negate the rush.

He just drifts. He's not marking anyone, he has no speed, and he's half assed when he does get the puck.

He should have gone with Mayers in that game - u know jammer would have been game. If not him, hit someone else. Do something... anything, asshole.

Sit the guy. For at least a week. Just sit him.