Round One : St. Louis Blues v Minnesota Wild

[The Flake]

But there most certainly is a calm confidence with the fan base right now...at least there is with most of the folks who pay close attention to the team.

I think this hits the nail on the head. All other past playoff runs, have always had a proverbial chink in the armor of those teams. I can remember a couple that really had a chance to go all the way but there was still that anxiousness. This year is different and I can't really put my finger on it.

I picked the Blues in 5. I personally think the wheels are going to fall off the Dubnyk bus. Our depth and offensive talent are going to dominate this series.

[ecbm]

You're basing your predictions based on the last two playoffs?
Last year the Blues had injury issues going into Rd. 1 and struggled down the stretch.

Respectfully, the Blues needs to first prove they can get out of the first round. So yes I'm basing my predictions on the last 2 years. The Blues didn't just lose the last 2 years, they choked. Especially after winning both the first 2 games each year in dramatic OT fashion and having all the momentum. The team looks great on paper I agree but can they overcome the playoff funk? That's the question. And since Minnesota went to the 2nd round last year and looked great, and now is even better this year I have to pick the Wild in this series.

Your chosen cutoff aside, the Blues got out of the first round three years ago (remember, two years ago was the shortened lockout season that produced a host of odd results) with a squad I think most all who pay attention would agree is inferior to the current one. Whereas the Wild's only time advancing out of the first round since '02/03 was by virtue of beating a Colorado team that grossly overachieved in the regular and then tanked in the playoffs. Then they lost to your Hawks in six games...just like the Blues.

Ok, I get it. Minnesota is a trendy pick: hot team, hot goalie, good fan base and a good narrative. The Blues still have to prove it. But they're the favorites, no doubt.

[big d note]

Blues in 5. This team goes for the jugular and doesn't let up. Dubnyk steals one game.

Let's Go Blues!!!

[dmiles2186]

https://twitter.com/lkorac10/status/588379825900953600

[ecbm]

Ecbm, you obviously haven't followed the Blues for long.

I remember vividly how mad the Liut trade made my dad, fool.

Cprice & richter, I don't how long you've been following the Blues but obviously not for long.

You strike me as a 12-year-old. Are you going to spout this at everyone who disagrees with you? Ever consider you might be wrong?

After this season, 29 points separated the Blues' top scorer and 9th-best. In 1990-91, that gap was 96 points. After an excellent top 2 and Cavallini (that's Paul, Gino was a trier but not at all a difference maker-see, I remember watching him play) making a very good 3, the D on the 90-91 team consisted of Glen Featherstone, Mario Marois, Robert Dirk, Tom Tilley and a fossilized Harold Snepsts. This playoffs the Blues may sit Gunnarson, a top-pairing D in TOR, because we have that much depth despite the salary cap that didn't exist in 90-91. Another thing I remember because I watched it was how in 90-91, to beat the Blues you shut down Hull's line. It's all you needed to do: 246 regular-season points between Hull & Oates; 603 shared between 34 other guys on the roster. And to get that production, you had to leave Hull-who didn't check, didn't play D and didn't work in corners or down low-on the ice for 20-25 minutes. However unpopular the stat is, it's ridiculous for a guy with 131 points to be a +23.

You do understand what depth means, right?

[not_a_wings_fan]

So a self-described hawks fan wants to give history lessons on STL AND tell long time posters that they don't know anything about their favorite team? I bet you are wheel chair bound with balls that big, buddy.

Some thoughts:

1.) I won't believe this team can get out of the first round until they do it. I've been crushed too hard too many times to buy in yet. All the reg season success doesn't mean shit with no cups. Put up or shut up.

2.) I am, at the same time as saying #1, also cautiously optimistic about this team. I really don't think they have played their best game yet, and I haven't been able to say that about past teams.

3.) I feel like the last couple of Blues' teams over achieved in the standings compared to the team they put out on the ice. When playoff time rolled around, the rest of the league found another gear our side didn't have. I think we finally have another gear if we can find the clutch.

4.) Minny vs STL is a coin flip of a series. You can make all kinds of arguments about both teams and be right - but ultimately it's going to take playing the games to get any sense of what's going to happen here. I can see a long series going either way, I can see a short series going either way. Go ahead and stock up on beer and popcorn.

5.) Can someone remind me how to block a poster so I don't have to read their crap anymore? I am tired of wasting bandwidth on a certain idiot who shall not be named.

Go Blues. Carry on, Gentlemen.

[cprice12]

5.) Can someone remind me how to block a poster so I don't have to read their crap anymore? I am tired of wasting bandwidth on a certain idiot who shall not be named.

Go Blues. Carry on, Gentlemen.

User Control Panel.
The link at the upper right.
In the "Friends & Foes" section.
Anyone you list in the "Foes" section, their posts will be ignored.

[theohall]

It's not like one of us was a season ticket holder in the Brett Hull era - as in had the season tickets BEFORE they acquired Hull. Had to move on and haven't been in St Louis since '93 other than to visit.

But I've been following the Blues longer than a certain poster who shall be nameless has been alive, most likely.

But - whatever. Just an ignorant 'Hawks fan trying to rile us up, because we owned the Hawks the last two meetings of the season.

As to best games, that last game vs Chicago was one of the best I've seen the Blues play in terms of controlling the flow, keeping Chicago from getting up ice, getting in lanes, forcing turnovers - just tons of good stuff. And they won without Steen and Tarasenko. Last year when the Hawks beat the Blues at the end of the regular season it was so awesome, according to Hawks fans and NHL supposed experts, because they did it without 2 of their top scorers. Interestingly, to a certain Hawks fan that same fact reversed is apparently irrelevant when evaluating the Blues.

It's nice that using the last Blues-Wild game, he never mentions the Blues rested their 2 best D-Men, their Captain, and Oshie - but it's a big deal that the Wild rested 5 players, and it wasn't their star goalie until the Blues chased him - which is what happened. Horrible, hypocritical via intentional ignorance, analysis.

[Nyghtewynd]

I think the Blues are the better team, and I think they should win. Balancing against that is that they're essentially playing for the future of the regime...if you lose in the first round again, especially to a team like Minnesota, you gotta fire everybody...coach, GM, players, etc.

I think they'll find a way, but it won't be as easy as some think. Blues in six.

[cprice12]

[ComradeT]

5.) Can someone remind me how to block a poster so I don't have to read their crap anymore? I am tired of wasting bandwidth on a certain idiot who shall not be named.

Go Blues. Carry on, Gentlemen.

User Control Panel.
The link at the upper right.
In the "Friends & Foes" section.
Anyone you list in the "Foes" section, their posts will be ignored.

Oh wait... Curt, did we have this all along?

[cprice12]

5.) Can someone remind me how to block a poster so I don't have to read their crap anymore? I am tired of wasting bandwidth on a certain idiot who shall not be named.

Go Blues. Carry on, Gentlemen.

User Control Panel.
The link at the upper right.
In the "Friends & Foes" section.
Anyone you list in the "Foes" section, their posts will be ignored.

Oh wait... Curt, did we have this all along?

It was added a number of versions ago...I forget when.

[gaijin]

What happens when someone quotes someone you've blocked?

[cprice12]

What happens when someone quotes someone you've blocked?

I would guess you'd see it.

[sseagle]

Cprice & richter, I don't how long you've been following the Blues but obviously not for long. An odd/calm confidence? Never been this optimistic?

I heard the KMOX radio show after their crushing game 7 loss to the Flames in 1986 and Dan Kelly said this Blues team is destined to win or at least get to a Cup within a COUPLE years!

After Kelly Chase was traded in the 90s he hated it and said the Blues were going to win the Cup that year! He said Blues fans would be jumping from rafters and buildings during the parade! Even around 2000 there was boundless confidence about a Cup parade with Laurie's super rich team with NO salary cap.

So I ASSURE you! There has been this much or even more confidence & optimism before. Plus don't you think there was TONS of confidence with 4 time Cup winner Gretzky here with Hull? They did do very well that year even if they didn't go all the way.

COUGH

mic-check

[theohall]

If everyone "Foe"'d someone, no one would see the posts, so no one could quote someone.

[sseagle]

Game 2 conflicts with Game 2 of the Wings/Bolts series. Both are scheduled to be on NBC. Being located in Tampa, I'm probably not going to be able to watch it on tv.

Just checked again, game two is reverse mirrored. Which apparently means it's on cbc or nbcsn in any location in us

[sseagle]

Game 2 conflicts with Game 2 of the Wings/Bolts series. Both are scheduled to be on NBC. Being located in Tampa, I'm probably not going to be able to watch it on tv.

(Franking) phone... Full auto posting..

[Portland Blues]

If everyone "Foe"'d someone, no one would see the posts, so no one could quote someone.

Just used the feature for the first time ever today and it feels good!

[crazyhorse]

If everyone "Foe"'d someone, no one would see the posts, so no one could quote someone.

Just used the feature for the first time ever today and it feels good!

Thanks, Very helpful.