On march 3rd, I opined a first round match up was not to be desired ( to much derision). But we just watched why. A series for the ages, yes, but another first round exit for the Blues.flyingnote38 wrote:Unlike last season when the Kings basically dominated the Blues, you could argue the Blues for the most part outplayed the Kings in this series. But they converted our defensive lapses into goals; and we could not reciprocate.
Frankly, the Blues lack first line offensive talent. They have three lines that are legitimately second line caliber and a very functional fourth line. They even have players who could be secondary talents on a legitimate first line, but they have no elite scorers; no player you would build an #1 line around. The only 'St Louis' that appears among the league scoring leaders plays for Tampa.
Had this been a normal season, this team would have been assumed to have made the playoffs and contended for the division title and would have been judged solely on how far they made it in the playoffs. But the lockout, shortened western conference only schedule, and injuries especially in goal made making the playoffs and gaining home ice seem like an accomplishment.
Keith Jones suggested tonight that this series represents 'progress' for the Blues, because it was harder for the Kings to eliminate us this year than last. What this series really represents is a need to recognize that this core is simply not good enough to win the Cup. A first round exit for this team does not constitute progress.
This team needs to add 2 first line talents this offseason or we will have to decide that being the third best team in the division and one and done in the Playoffs is good enough. And I don't really have faith in Army to do it.