Blues Have Reasons to Worry

It is reality check time. A lot of positives have been written about the Blues this year and it's about time we had some pessimism. The Note did not finish out 2011 well (dropping 3 of 4 including 2 to the wings) and need to find a way to fight through some worries so the city of St. Louis can see some Competitive playoff hockey, which has been missing for about a decade now.




Here is a list of concerns the Blues need to address:

1. Offense: Of course this would be number one. The Blues inability to score goals seems to be their biggest weakness. If they fall behind by any number of goals it is tough for them to come back. The main catalyst for this weakness is their power play, which has shown signs of being better of late, but still not good enough. Teams in the playoffs generally have great special teams. Also, minute production from players such as Patrick Berglund and Chris Stewart have hurt the ability to score goals. Stewart has played well, but Berglund looks like his same old self after last Spring's hopefulness that was just a tease for fans. Look for Berglund to maybe be dealt at the deadline if the Blues are in the hunt and they can resolve issue #9 on this list.
2. Schedule Down the Stretch: Have you seen the February and March Schedule? To say it is brutal is an understatement. The Note plays only 11 home games in that two month period. They have 19 on the road, including a 7-game road trip in mid-March. For at team fighting for a playoff birth and below .500 on the road (see #7), that is a tough way to go.
3. Division Record: The Blues are 5-3-2 within their division. Yeah, this is a winning record, but when you take out bottom-feeder Columbus and consider that the rest of the division teams are all playoff contenders, the record does not look as good (3-3-2). They are winless (0-1-2) against Nashville and .500 against Chicago (1-1) and Detroit (2-2). Teams that do not beat those in their division generally miss the postseason.
4. Injuries: They are beginning to pile up. The Blues showed they have depth, but the quality of players that are beginning to go down is hurting them. Andy MacDonald's absence is a big reason the offense is stagnant. Defensemen newcomers Kris Russell and Kent Huskins both played tremendously well until they were sidelined. The most detrimental injury however has been Alexander Steen. The unsung MVP of the Blues for the past few years is out with "concussion-like symptoms," and the Note better hope it is just the symptoms, or they may be looking at missing the playoffs again this season. Steen is a hard player to replace, no matter what your depth is.
5. Current Team has Virtually the Same Record as Last Year's: That is correct, the Blues are 21-12-5 through 38 games, and were 20-13-5 last season at this same point. We know how last season ended, and how horrid January was. But you say, "this January they have a favorable schedule, 9 of 11 at home." Yes, but do I have to remind you of February and March? They better rack up some points in January.
6. Goaltending: Many would say that this has been the Blues' biggest strong suit since the regime change, but one question remains: Can either Halak or Elliott truly be a number one goaltender? Neither one has proved it in the past. Elliott has slowed his spectacular pace he set at the beginning of the season but still remains at the top of GAA and Save%, and Halak has remained serviceable, but can either one lead this team into and through the playoffs?
7. Road Record: 7-9-3. Not good. Needs to be at least .500 to make the playoffs, and you need to be able to win on the road to be successful in the playoffs, especially if you do not have home ice advantage.
8. Shootout Record: 0-5. Do you miss Brad Boyes? The Blues have only scored 1 goal all season in the shootout. That extra point has gotten some teams into the playoffs in recent years (more the reason to get rid of it, but that is a different rant for a different day).
9. Ownership: Will the Blues be sold and the ownership issue resolved anytime soon? We keep getting hopeful news that it will, but it just never seems to happen. It is important if the Blues maybe wish to spend some money down the stretch and go after someone to improve that struggling offense.
10. Experience: The addition of Arnott and Langenbrunner have been tremendous to the team and it has shown, but is it enough? We still have a team full of kids with little to no playoff experience. And those that have that experience remember that is was not good (being swept by Vancouver, anyone?) How much can the veterans help the youngster focus down the stretch, and hopefully the playoffs, remains to be seen.

Of course, even with all of these concerns the Blues have played well this season and seem to have a different attitude about them than any team in recent history. They play tenacious defense and very well in tight games, which will help them in the postseason. This team is also much more disciplined than recent Blues teams. Being virtually unbeatable on home ice also helps. At this point though, if the Blues miss out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs again, there will be some very demoralized fans. And Army will certainly be busy again in the off season.