Five Keys to Playoff Success

Jaybo, Backes, and Pietro must be prime playoff performers.

Well, here we are again. Another spring, another improbable journey that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs lies ahead of the St. Louis Blues. The first step in that journey: beating their most hated rivals and defending Stanley Cup Champions, Chicago Blackhawks.

Here are the five keys to the Blues hoisting the cup for the first time in franchise history:

1. The Defense. These guys have got to be a wall as well as a gateway. They have to keep the Blues defensive game in check and also provide some offense for a depleted forward group. Pietrangelo and Bouwmeester have got to be minute-munchers and play like the pairing that backed a defensive-minded Canadian team to Olympic gold. Shattenkirk must shake the demons of playoffs past and play great two-way hockey. Jackman and Polack have to avoid being over exposed, be warriors and minimize mistakes, while getting in the face of the opposition and shutting down their offense. Leopold, Colaiacovo, and Cole must step up when called upon. The Blues first step to the Cup starts with the backend.
2. Ryan Miller. Pretty simple: he’s got to be a deference- maker. Plain as can be.
   
3. Jaden Schwartz. A “Mr. Hockey” in the making. He is my pick to be the prime playoff performer in this lineup. With so many regulars down, he must continue his goal scoring ways and then some in the playoffs. He was arguably the Blues best forward last post-season. Now he has become a finisher, and for the Blues to finish on top, Schwartz has got to take control.
4. David Backes. He’s the leader, MVP, and heart and soul of this franchise that should be accepting his third Selke Trophy this summer. With all of the injuries, this is the one that the Blues can NOT afford to have extended into the playoffs. Backes must be in the lineup, making a difference, every shift, every game. He personifies what it means to wear the note.
5. Luck. It seems that in years past this has not been on the side of the Blues when it comes to the post-season. They’ll need a little to get through the playoffs and march down Market.

Thanks for reading and Let’s go Blues!

Blues Begin 2012 with a Win

The Blues halted their longest winless streak at three games by defeating the Phoenix Coyotes 4-1 at home last night.

Christ Stewart is quietly heating up and scored the first goal of the game. Jamie Langenbrunner added a goal in the first on a tip in from Barret Jackman's shot from the point. Phoenix scored late on a power play making the score 2-1 at the end of one. Speaking of things heating up as of late, T.J. Oshie scored on the power play in the Second on a nice neutral zone transition. Berglund added an empty netter to close out the game's scoring.

Jaroslav Halak made 33 saves and was the games number one star. David Perron and Alex Pietrangelo both had 2 assists. Jackman had a notably strong game on defense, which is significant since the Blues are shorthanded in that department due to injuries and suspensions.

The Note improved to 15-3-2 at home, and have nabbed 32 of a possible 40 points. The Blues have become one of the league's best home teams, which should come in handy during January when they play 9 of 11 at Scottrade. In February and March the team goes on the road for 19 of 30. They were in playoff contention last year until an awful January. This team looks to have a great January and rack up the points at home.

Highlights:

Shanabanned: Where's the Consistency NHL?

Ian Cole became the first player suspended by Brendan Shanahan and the NHL in 2012. The league is trying to crack down on "contact to the head," which Cole clearly violated.


But a three game suspension? For a first-time offender?


Here is the hit:





Now let's observe another hit that happened just four nights earlier:





See a difference? I did. The one that got suspend was wearing Blue and the one that is skating scott-free is wearing red. It is funny to listen to the Detroit announcers on both videos. What a couple of stupid-asses. "Oh, of course daisy-Datsyuk didn't do anything wrong." 


There are a few reasons why Datsyuk's hit on Jackman was worse and warranted more punishment than Cole's hit on Abdelkader:


First, Abdelkader had his head down, going across the middle of the ice, with a pass that was suicidal. Keep your head up, you've heard it since mites. Datsyuk literally targeted Jackman's head, which is in the wording of the rule: "targeting the head." Not condoning Cole's hit, but you can see the bias from the league.


Second, Datsyuk is 5'11'' and Jackman is 6', so Datsyuk had to literally leap (charge) and elbow Jackman. Both penalties,and neither were called. Of course, you do not need to be given a penalty for a suspension to be given, but yeah, right, like the league would suspend a Red Wing.


This favorable treatment given to the Swedish National Team is getting rather old. It was old a decade ago. The Wings' day of reckoning is ahead of them and I will be standing and smiling when it happens. Of course, it will not be the NHL that gives it to them, but I think the boys in Blue could. Jackman and others have good memories.


Not time to pout Note, time to get even. Make the playoffs and meet the Red Weaks there. Take them out, and smile as you ride to the next round. The NHL will not be doing you any favors, and we all love an underdog, against the odds story.