GDT: 4/30/12 > Game 2 > Blues v Kings > 8:00 PM > CNBC

[northwest dave]

Kopitar's shorthanded goal is a perfect example of pucks bouncing their way...or not bouncing our way.

If you look at the replay, he missed the goal. That puck wasn't going in...it was going parallel to the goal line. But it hit off of Elliott's left pad and redirected in.



And, of course, we have a couple plays where the puck squirts free and sits on the goal line & doesn't go in or sits in the goal mouth for a couple seconds with a wide open net just sitting there and we can't get it to go in.

I don't think I have ever seen a game where the puck bounced exclusively one team's way all game long. I think that just fueled the frustration and anger for me...and then tack on that the Blues were playing like ass in the 1st period and giving LA so many opportunities, made for a rough night.

That's nice and all, but you make your own bounces. The Blues came out flat and had chance after chance to actually making it a game, but failed over and over again. It was the worse performance I've seen in a long time.

The only positive is that they probably can't play any worse. Doesn't mean they'll win, but hopefully I won't have to watch that crap again.

[cprice12]

Another bounce that went LA's way...they were offsides on their 3rd goal...wasn't called.

[not_a_wings_fan]

This is a young team learning about the playoffs. They obviously still have much to learn.

They are better than they have played, have showed flashes of having another gear, but can't seem to keep the pedal down. They figure that out and they will be fine. They don't, and it will be back to the drawing board to retool for next season.

They have shown me enough to believe they can destroy LA. Can't say if they will until we see which team comes to play. They CAN score if they move the puck side to side and elevate their shots. I don't think they believe this yet, which is part of the problem. They need to stop respecting Quick so much and get the rubber on goal and up.

That was a brutal game to watch, but we did elevate our play after the first. We won the final two periods 2-1...

Trust hitch. Root for the boys until it is officially done. And when it is done - this round, next, or wherever - then you stand up and cheer for a great season that was unexpected to say the least.

[blues fan]

I know it takes 4 wins but if they loose 3 straight it is over for this year, I'm being a realist is all. They won't come back and rattle off 4 straight. They need momentum NOW game 3 is the game to sieze the moment and build off that for game 4 without a game 3 win, then this team is not built to rattle off 4 straight in the playoffs. This is a learning experiance for most of this team and some off season deals will be done to sure up some areas, I think we are finding out our D needs some better people and I want Reaves in this next game and Schwartz should see some time as well, let the kid get his feet muddy playing in the playoffs, we have a few players just not getting it done and doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome is the definition of stupidity. Mix up the lines, give some guys who have more hunger and determination a chance, I'm not saying change everything but a few key changes could spark this team that seems to be playing in a fog to much of a 60 min game.

[abc789987]

We despite last night sucking balls and me coming to hate everyone on the Kings, Penner gave me a laugh today.

[abc789987]

I know it takes 4 wins but if they loose 3 straight it is over for this year, I'm being a realist is all. They won't come back and rattle off 4 straight. They need momentum NOW game 3 is the game to sieze the moment and build off that for game 4 without a game 3 win, then this team is not built to rattle off 4 straight in the playoffs. This is a learning experiance for most of this team and some off season deals will be done to sure up some areas, I think we are finding out our D needs some better people and I want Reaves in this next game and Schwartz should see some time as well, let the kid get his feet muddy playing in the playoffs, we have a few players just not getting it done and doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome is the definition of stupidity. Mix up the lines, give some guys who have more hunger and determination a chance, I'm not saying change everything but a few key changes could spark this team that seems to be playing in a fog to much of a 60 min game.

Did we win 4 straight in the 1st round?

[cprice12]

I know it takes 4 wins but if they loose 3 straight it is over for this year, I'm being a realist is all. They won't come back and rattle off 4 straight. They need momentum NOW game 3 is the game to sieze the moment and build off that for game 4 without a game 3 win, then this team is not built to rattle off 4 straight in the playoffs. This is a learning experiance for most of this team and some off season deals will be done to sure up some areas, I think we are finding out our D needs some better people and I want Reaves in this next game and Schwartz should see some time as well, let the kid get his feet muddy playing in the playoffs, we have a few players just not getting it done and doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome is the definition of stupidity. Mix up the lines, give some guys who have more hunger and determination a chance, I'm not saying change everything but a few key changes could spark this team that seems to be playing in a fog to much of a 60 min game.

Did we win 4 straight in the 1st round?

Exactly.
I don't care what the series sits at...2-0 or 3-0...I don't have it in me to give up on them before it is officially over.

Didn't the Cardinals late season run teach some of you anything?

[blues fan]

I was just waiting for someone to bring up the 4 in a row against the Sharks Far different when you down 1 game and tie it up and move on versus being down 2 and playing worse than any game against the sharks. Problem being the Kings aren't the sharks and history prooves nothing, these guys (the blues) need to live in the here and now and show some desperation play! Not for 35 mins or 20 mins all 60 mins and dbl overtime if need be, they have to want it more than the Kings in game 3 and rattle the cage of Quick pull some Wings on him get as close as possible in that net if you get an interferance call so be it, get him rattled, I think he has a quick fuse snow shower every stop of play on a shot, what ever to get him off his game, this is no time to continue on statis quo, Hitchcock needs to pull out all the tricks out of his playoff bag and get that team off there game like they did in the 3rd of game 2 but Quick is the key get him rattled and things will loosen up.

I will root for them until the bitter end but we loose game 3 it is done, we can all watch and cheer, but being real has to enter in at some point. I think the physical play of the kings is far greater than the sharks and their goal tending far better up to this point, Hitch rattle that CAGE and take some chances, Quick can be beat let's get it done Thursday night

[WaukeeBlues]

... but we did elevate our play after the first. We won the final two periods 2-1...

Well yea, when you're up by 4 goals you don't play the same as if you're trailing by 4.

I get your point though, the Blues looked better. We just have to get that swagger back, get some franking confidence. That first period we looked so dazed and confused, we were just LOST. We weren't picking up guys, missing assignments, scrambling all over the place, turning it over again and again. More than anything Hitch just has to almost calm the boys down and get them back to playing the game they know how to play.

And yea you make your own bounces but some of the ones for the Kings were just brutal. I mean popping out right into the slot, right to Richards? ugh

[xbleed83bluex]

Yeah. we're (Frank) done. Kings in 4, maybe 5. I actually had hope this playoffs. I said "The Blues might actually win this year." But again, I find out that's too good to be true. We need to make McDonald captain and sign him to a 10 year contract. He's the only one that even tries. I guess we're back to square one - Keep Mac, Perron, and Pie and trade everyone else and start all over.

[cprice12]

Yeah. we're (Frank) done.

...until we win game #3...then we're back in it again. Right?

[ViPeRx007]

Honestly, game 3 is going to be the series. Say whatever you want but it's about as close to a must win as you can get. Yes, they need to lose 4 for it to officially be over, but come on. Down 0-3 the odds are quite a bit worse than if they pull it to 1-2.

How about they just win game 3 and then we don't have to test the theory on whether they CAN come back from 0-3. It's not really one I want to have to be proven wrong on, nor do I want to prove myself right because that would mean the Blues are out and that just sucks.

[dmiles2186]

Yeah. we're (Frank) done. Kings in 4, maybe 5. I actually had hope this playoffs. I said "The Blues might actually win this year." But again, I find out that's too good to be true. We need to make McDonald captain and sign him to a 10 year contract. He's the only one that even tries. I guess we're back to square one - Keep Mac, Perron, and Pie and trade everyone else and start all over.

So...you want to sign a 35 year old Andy McDonald to a 10 year contract.

And you want to trade away the majority of a team that was 2 points shy of the President's trophy this year.

Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.....

[xbleed83bluex]

Yeah. we're (Frank) done.

...until we win game #3...then we're back in it again. Right?

I don't think it'll happen. But if we win, I'll consider getting some hope back. Game 2 was terrible. It's like they weren't even trying.

[cprice12]

I actually had hope this playoffs.

You could have fooled me.
If being down 2-0 in a series is enough for you to bail on the team, then you never had confidence in them to start with.

[cprice12]

Yeah. we're (Frank) done.

...until we win game #3...then we're back in it again. Right?

I don't think it'll happen. But if we win, I'll consider getting some hope back. Game 2 was terrible. It's like they weren't even trying.

It doesn't work that way.
Don't be a bandwagonner. You are either on or you are off.
Anyone can have faith in their team when they are winning.

[kodos]

It's not jumping off a bandwagon.

I'll watch every second of every game like I always do... but let's be honest... this team looks done.

These are some dire times in the world of Blues hockey.

[ComradeT]

It's too early to write the Blues off. Aside from the horrible first period last night, they played a decent second and a good third. Let's not forget that before that first period, they found out that Pietro wouldn't play. Defensive assignments were out of wack and Ian Cole played his first playoff game.

They now have a two day rest to get themselves together and go at it knowing that Pietro isn't there well in advance. I think they will turn it around. They were getting really angry and taking stupid penalties last night but now that they can calm down a bit, that anger will help them get at LA and get some offense going.

That said, they need to get in front of goal and shoot the puck. Bring in Reaves for Crombeen, leave Dag's in.

And LET'S GO BLUES!!!

[beat2life]

in no way am I excusing the absolute disgusting game we played, but how sh*tty do you think the ice was? That puck was going crazy out there, and as someone pointed out, unfortunately it didn't seem to ever be in our favor. Also, there were about 3 or 4 times someone threw it around the glass only to have it bounce out in the corner (on both ends of the ice). I wonder if the crew rushed to set this up for the game. What went on at Scottrade this weekend?

[cprice12]

It's not jumping off a bandwagon.

I'll watch every second of every game like I always do... but let's be honest... this team looks done.

These are some dire times in the world of Blues hockey.

They looked great in the San Jose series and looked very good in game #1 in this series.

It's just one game where they looked like ass...actually 1 & 1/2 periods.

I'm pissed and angry...but I'd never say any series "is over" after two games...especially when you are talking about a #2 vs. #8 seed matchup.