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Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 3:55 pm
by Toasted Oates
Can't be scared of it. When the roster is together, they haven't sucked for a four game stretch all year. Nobody knows how serious all these injuries are, but Chicago won't be 100% either. No team will be.

Berglund might be the most questionable of all, but he's not exactly Mr. Popular around here anyway. Maybe 79 sees the ice and I can dig that. There aren't many more ways this franchise can break our hearts. Grab a drink and enjoy.

Oh, and all the Indian head sweatered bandwagon turds that will litter the rink are fine with me. If they have something to cheer for....great. Let the Blues and the front office hear it. If not...their silence is golden.

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 4:42 pm
by Oaklandblue
Blues sweep. We come into Game 1, take it into OT and win. Everything from there is pure dominance. The amount of question and vagueness Hitch is giving gives me hope that we're ramping up to come out full speed ahead and I don't think the Hawks are ready for that.

Saying that, between Miller and Elliott, I'd prefer Elliott in Game 1. Sorry.

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 4:59 pm
by glen a richter
dmiles2186 wrote:
JesusNEVERexisted wrote:Is game 1 Wednesday or Thursday?
Don't know if they've posted, but Miley Cyrus has a concert on Wednesday, so most people believe Game 1 in Thursday, Game 2 is Saturday.
I would never wish long term incurable disease on anyone, even my worst enemy. So I'll just say this: I hope all the Hawks go to her concert, get invited to some backstage twerkfest-tongue wagging whatever, get a TEMPORARY two week venereal disease and end up playing like crap due to some mysterious ass rash that makes it difficult to skate. And of course as soon as they're eliminated, they can be magically cured.

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 5:16 pm
by JesusNEVERexisted
Oaklandblue wrote:Blues sweep. We come into Game 1, take it into OT and win. Everything from there is pure dominance. The amount of question and vagueness Hitch is giving gives me hope that we're ramping up to come out full speed ahead and I don't think the Hawks are ready for that.
:lol: :aaaa: :okman:

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 5:44 pm
by cprice12
My feeling on this series will be determined when it is announced who we'll have coming back from injury for game #1. That will be huge.
If we get our key guys back, then I feel good about it. I don't give a shit about the last 6 games and half of the Chicago Wolves roster who was on the ice for us. That's not our team. that's a team that was going through the motions until our guys got healthy.

Now, these are the games that matter.

We're at home, and while both Kane and Toewes are coming back, they aren't 100% either, so there is that.

(Frank) Chicago. :hawkssuck:

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 6:51 pm
by not_a_wings_fan
I am happy to play the 'hawks first.

I would rather beat a defending champion and have the less physical first round match up. This is the least grinding option with the most confidence upside.

I don't care who is in net, this team isn't scoring goals. Score more and we and debate netminders.

Our chances are really about what forwards are 100% when the puck drops. I am not overly concerned about our problems in the last 10 games because the tide of injuries has been crushing.

If we can't beat the hawks in a series were weren't winning the cup anyway, so bring on the playoffs!

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 7:13 pm
by sseagle
Thursday, April 17 7 p.m. Chicago at St. Louis NBCSN, CBC
Saturday, April 19 2 p.m. Chicago at St. Louis NBC, CBC
Monday, April 21 7:30 p.m. St. Louis at Chicago CNBC, CBC
Wednesday, April 23 8:30 p.m. St. Louis at Chicago NBCSN, CBC
*Friday, April 25 7 p.m. Chicago at St. Louis NBCSN, CBC
*Sunday, April 27 2 p.m. St. Louis at Chicago NBC, CBC
*Tuesday, April 29 TBD Chicago at St. Louis CBC

All Times CENTRAL

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 6:27 am
by Frusciante
I know I've been down this road before, but I would love to see the CPR-line back for game 1. Depending on how many guys we get back for the first few games of course, but I would be very surprised if we got all 7 back for game 1. According to the Post Dispatch, the most likely scenario would be that we have all back except Tarasenko, Berglund and Morrow. Tara apparently hasn't even got his cast off yet, so I can't see him being back anytime this week. I read somewhere that Morrow has a broken foot so he's probably out for a while as well (Thank God). I don't know what Berglund is suffering from...

However, as I watched the Red Wings-game, I got as impressed by the pairing of Porter and Cracknell (especially Cracks), as I was during last seasons PO against the Kings. And since we'll probably have to settle with two (hopefully) productive lines, I'd be psyched to see Reavo get to play with those guys again. Two solid top lines, one heavy and energetic CPR-line and then probably a useless line of something like Pääjärvi-Lappy-Ott would seem OK to me. That way we'll at least have a shot at it. On paper...

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 9:55 am
by cprice12
Frusciante wrote:I know I've been down this road before, but I would love to see the CPR-line back for game 1. Depending on how many guys we get back for the first few games of course, but I would be very surprised if we got all 7 back for game 1. According to the Post Dispatch, the most likely scenario would be that we have all back except Tarasenko, Berglund and Morrow. Tara apparently hasn't even got his cast off yet, so I can't see him being back anytime this week. I read somewhere that Morrow has a broken foot so he's probably out for a while as well (Thank God). I don't know what Berglund is suffering from...

However, as I watched the Red Wings-game, I got as impressed by the pairing of Porter and Cracknell (especially Cracks), as I was during last seasons PO against the Kings. And since we'll probably have to settle with two (hopefully) productive lines, I'd be psyched to see Reavo get to play with those guys again. Two solid top lines, one heavy and energetic CPR-line and then probably a useless line of something like Pääjärvi-Lappy-Ott would seem OK to me. That way we'll at least have a shot at it. On paper...
Don't look for the CPR line to be all dressed.

Berglund has a collarbone or shoulder issue, or so I heard. It doesn't sound short term.
I don't think Berglund is a huge loss anyway. Cracknell could easily replace him...and probably be more effective in some respects.

Tank still has his cast on but is taking shots in practice, but nothing heavy...just wrist shots. He's not that far away...but based on that, I wouldn't expect him back in Rd. 1...but you never know.

Morrow is a depth guy...and isn't a deal breaker to lose.

If we get Oshie & Backes back and if they are healthy enough to play their game...and if Miller's play is solid, I like our chances. If Backes and Oshie are either not back or come back and aren't effective due to their injuries, we're going to have to play some stellar defense and get solid goaltending (which this team is capable of) to have a shot.

The guy I want to see have a good series is Roy. He has been pretty disappointing this year...and relatively ineffective. If he can get going, that will be huge.

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:32 am
by cprice12
Some people need a smack on the head when discussing the Blues struggles. It's like they are oblivious to the injuries.
Seriously...what did they expect with half of the roster and numerous irreplaceable guys going down with injuries?

Idiots.

Twitter sucks for debating. Can't do it in 140 characters. :lol:

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 12:13 pm
by JesusNEVERexisted
cprice12 wrote:Some people need a smack on the head when discussing the Blues struggles. It's like they are oblivious to the injuries.
Seriously...what did they expect with half of the roster and numerous irreplaceable guys going down with injuries?

Idiots.

Twitter sucks for debating. Can't do it in 140 characters. :lol:
But the Blues were faltering even before the injuries. Their scoring was down and GAA up even before the injuries. The injuries just made it worse.

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 7:42 pm
by Oaklandblue
JesusNEVERexisted wrote:
cprice12 wrote:Some people need a smack on the head when discussing the Blues struggles. It's like they are oblivious to the injuries.
Seriously...what did they expect with half of the roster and numerous irreplaceable guys going down with injuries?

Idiots.

Twitter sucks for debating. Can't do it in 140 characters. :lol:
But the Blues were faltering even before the injuries. Their scoring was down and GAA up even before the injuries. The injuries just made it worse.
We slumped (Or as I feel, everyone just coasted) and got a few injuries at the wrong time, that's all it is.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we didn't have more than a two game skid all season. Other teams have had 5-6 game skids at a few points this season. This has been a hell of a year for the Blues in the regular season. The one thing I think has been read wrong has been the challenge the team has faced. I think that's a good thing, to see how the team reacts after getting slammed for 3-4 goals without scoring one or just one or two. That we didn't lose that many save when injuries and Hitch holding out players says alot about our depth and core. We're going to lose some and we'll win, but with that said, we did really well this year. Why I'm not worried about the playoffs. To me, the team has proved that they have the mettle and the physical to win. They just have to want it, and want it badly, more badly than they say they want it.

We've dominated the Hawks all year and they're coming in banged up too, so that's just more incentive. If we don't win this series, it won't be due to injury or bad luck or Hitch's playbook or anything like that, it'll be due to these guys not wanting it enough.

And I feel they want it more than enough.

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:49 pm
by cprice12
JesusNEVERexisted wrote:
cprice12 wrote:Some people need a smack on the head when discussing the Blues struggles. It's like they are oblivious to the injuries.
Seriously...what did they expect with half of the roster and numerous irreplaceable guys going down with injuries?

Idiots.

Twitter sucks for debating. Can't do it in 140 characters. :lol:
But the Blues were faltering even before the injuries. Their scoring was down and GAA up even before the injuries. The injuries just made it worse.
Scoring fluctuates throughout the season, and it wasn't as high as it had been, but it wasn't even close to as bad after all of the injuries.

Saying injuries had nothing to do with our scoring issues is like saying banks had nothing to do with the housing market collapse.

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:56 pm
by cprice12
Oaklandblue wrote:
JesusNEVERexisted wrote:
cprice12 wrote:Some people need a smack on the head when discussing the Blues struggles. It's like they are oblivious to the injuries.
Seriously...what did they expect with half of the roster and numerous irreplaceable guys going down with injuries?

Idiots.

Twitter sucks for debating. Can't do it in 140 characters. :lol:
But the Blues were faltering even before the injuries. Their scoring was down and GAA up even before the injuries. The injuries just made it worse.
We slumped (Or as I feel, everyone just coasted) and got a few injuries at the wrong time, that's all it is.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we didn't have more than a two game skid all season. Other teams have had 5-6 game skids at a few points this season. This has been a hell of a year for the Blues in the regular season. The one thing I think has been read wrong has been the challenge the team has faced. I think that's a good thing, to see how the team reacts after getting slammed for 3-4 goals without scoring one or just one or two. That we didn't lose that many save when injuries and Hitch holding out players says alot about our depth and core. We're going to lose some and we'll win, but with that said, we did really well this year. Why I'm not worried about the playoffs. To me, the team has proved that they have the mettle and the physical to win. They just have to want it, and want it badly, more badly than they say they want it.

We've dominated the Hawks all year and they're coming in banged up too, so that's just more incentive. If we don't win this series, it won't be due to injury or bad luck or Hitch's playbook or anything like that, it'll be due to these guys not wanting it enough.

And I feel they want it more than enough.
We didn't dominate the Hawks this year. Yes, we won the season series, but the first game was 3-2 Blues, the 2nd game went to a shootout and we won 3-2, the 3rd game we had a big 3rd period comeback and won 6-5 in a shootout. And we lost the last 2 games, 4-0 & 4-2.
Actually, both the Hawks and Blues got 6 pts. out of the 5 game season series.
We are 2-0 against them at home though. Our two losses and an OT win came in Chicago. So that is encouraging with us having home ice advantage.

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 2:30 am
by JesusNEVERexisted
Just FYI Cusamano said all 4 hockey experts at CBS sports are picking the Hawks to win the series.

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:57 am
by not_a_wings_fan
Of course the experts pick Chicago. I would too. Loaded defending champion with multiple cups versus team that limped to the finish plagued with injuries, can't score consistently, and hasn't been past the second round? It's a clear choice to favor the hawks.

But picks don't mean much. They actually play the games for a reason.

The only answer is to wait and see what happens.

I'm glad no one thinks they have a chance because I hope it will help them regroup and focus on the details.

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 10:21 am
by dmiles2186
[tweet][/tweet]

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 11:22 am
by gaijin
dmiles2186 wrote:[tweet][/tweet]
:okman: It's a start...

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 11:41 am
by cardsfan04
[tweet][/tweet]

Never know how much you can believe an athlete that says he's ready to play after an injury, especially in the playoffs. But, this is reassuring.

Re: Blues vs. Blackhawks Round 1 Discussion Thread

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 11:59 am
by glen a richter
With a couple more days until the massacre begins, I'm starting to feel slightly more confident, going forward. It would be nice to have Vova back by the time they hit the road--especially if they split the first two games and obviously need to take at least one in Chi-town. If he's not clear to go by game 3, my confidence will take a definite dive.