GDT Rd 2 Gm 4: 5/1/19 | 8:30 PM CT | @ Stars | NBCSN/NHL-A

[Robb_K]

We'll see what The Blues are made of by how they come out in Game 5. I hope they don't disappoint. They absolutely need to skate hard all game. When they don't, they can't contain The Stars' speed.

[Portland Blues]

Well, guess we'll see how the Blues respond in Game 5. Would be great to see us push throughout the game rather than just a little in the dying moments of the game.

[WaukeeBlues]

That was brutal. There were times the guys couldn't even keep the puck on their sticks. Not moving their feet, losing the puck battles, just... brutal. Not what I was expecting to see from this group.

P.S. Robert Thomas is going to be a really good NHL player. He continually impresses.

[StL Dan]

The first 40 or 50 mins, aside from the 2 min PP when Tank scored to grab the early lead, was just frustrating as heck.

The last 10 mins or so - much better. But, too little too late.

One thing I can't figure out is why the ROR SOG that appeared to clear the goal line wasn't reviewed. I'm not sure how protocol works in that situation. Obviously, the referee on the goal line opposite the play didn't have anything, but could ROR, Petro or Chief request a review at the next whistle? A good goal would have made it 4-3 with time left, right?

[theohall]

That Dallas goal all started with the lame turnover by J-Bow.

That first Dallas goal started way before the J-Bouw turnover. The Blues went East-West-East-West (in their own zone), circle back waiting for the line change - East - West - JayBouw NorthEast on an attempted stretch pass after the line change. This was the same crap the Blues were doing when losing early this season. The Blues changed lines and not one forward who came on the ice skated towards the defensive zone or even their own blue line, to create the shorter up ice transition passes which have kind of been a hallmark of the Blues more effective transition game. All 3 forwards were waiting beyond center ice with Dallas Stars forwards between them and the Blues defense. Yes, Jay-Bouw made a horrible pass, but the entire team playing the lazy hockey they played in Oct/Nov led to that goal. And it took another period and a half before the team stopped playing that lazy hockey. (Not laying off the blame on Jay-Bouw for trying to force that pass, but where were the Blues forwards - as in NONE were even in the picture).

While watching the game with my girlfriend, when they circled back to complete the forward change, I told her if the Blues D pass across the ice again, long before Jay-Bouw touched the puck the last time, Dallas is going to score - and Dallas did. Painful to watch knowing what was coming with the team not playing the right way.

[theohall]

I wish Thomas would look to shoot a little more instead of always looking to pass.

3000 times agree.

[theohall]

Whatever goes on the next game, BerIube needs to keep Bouwmeester and Pietrangelo away from Hintz and Seguin. No idea what's going on with Pietrangelo, but he's looked like he's been skating in molasses the entire series and is struggling to handle the puck - even when there isn't a Dallas forward pressuring him, which isn't that often, because of the skating in molasses thing.

I'd rather see Parayko, Dunn, Bortuzzo or DelZotto, and Edmundson (figure out the pairings, doesn't matter, because they can actually skate right now - even the slower Bortuzzo) drawing the top 4 defensive minutes while limiting Pietrangelo and Bouwmeester's time to only have them facing the 3rd/4th Stars lines as much as possible.

On the PP - put Parayko and Dunn together - it worked last season for 3 or 4 games. Both are moving the puck well. Dunn has a great wrist shot. And Parayko has that cannon. Bozak/Thomas/Maroon as the 1st unit until ROR starts winning faceoffs at 5-on-5. Let Pietrangelo with the normal 1st unit be the 2nd unit. If Tank needs more PP time (like playing on both units), just replace Maroon with Tank.

Dallas made adjustments and the Blues couldn't handle it for almost 2 full periods when Dallas actually backed off somewhat. The Blues need to make some kind of adjustments to counter what Dallas did or Game 5 is going to be as ugly as Game 4.

And, finally, if the faceoff is on the right side of the ice, don't let ROR take it. He's getting his ass handed to him in right side draws. Back-to-back games, right side faceoff in the offensive zone, late in the game (tied or down), Seguin is on the ice - whose owned ROR - ROR is taking the draw - whereas Bozak has been really good at those right side draws but Berube won't trust him to take them enough. Bozak knows Seguin from Leafs/Bruins games - ROR doesn't now Sequin at all. It shows. Make the (Franking) adjusment, Coach Berube!!!

[glen a richter]

Given that this team only makes the conference finals once every 15 years, the inevitable blowing of this series was, well, inevitable.

It's a shame because I think they'd have matched up very favorably against San Jose and Martin Jones' terrible goaltending, but we'll see if they have something left in the tank.

[StL Dan]

Given that this team only makes the conference finals once every 15 years, the inevitable blowing of this series was, well, inevitable.

I'm not sure I follow.

Are you saying you believe the Blues have, more or less, already lost this series?

[theohall]

I don't see it as "over". Just what happens. Dallas stepped up their game. Blues played that over-confident lazy way they started the season. Dallas laid back which let Blues respond in the 3rd.

What happens in Game 5? Do the Blues revert to the form which won from January on and answer to the Stars increased pace of play or continue playing the Game 4/Start of the season crap style of play? Won't matter how great the goaltender is if it's the latter. I have no idea with this team, but do know when they play as a team - not as groups of defenseman and groups of forwards, but as five-man units, they are damn near unbeatable.

[glen a richter]

Given that this team only makes the conference finals once every 15 years, the inevitable blowing of this series was, well, inevitable.

I'm not sure I follow.

Are you saying you believe the Blues have, more or less, already lost this series?

I believe they're not making it easy on themselves and will need to pull their collective selves together and simply dominate game 5 otherwise it's over.

I also believe Dallas is probably the most difficult opponent/potential opponent left. If they do manage to win this series, it should be smooth sailing all the way to the SCF, which I hope isn't their mindset because if it is, the playoffs will be over on Sunday afternoon.

[StL Dan]

Given that this team only makes the conference finals once every 15 years, the inevitable blowing of this series was, well, inevitable.

I'm not sure I follow.

Are you saying you believe the Blues have, more or less, already lost this series?

I believe they're not making it easy on themselves and will need to pull their collective selves together and simply dominate game 5 otherwise it's over.

I also believe Dallas is probably the most difficult opponent/potential opponent left. If they do manage to win this series, it should be smooth sailing all the way to the SCF, which I hope isn't their mindset because if it is, the playoffs will be over on Sunday afternoon.

Thanks for clarifying. I happen to agree with the assessment about Dallas being the most difficult opponent left on the board.

If the Blues don't hit the ice with some serious jump and sustained pressure, O time and scoring chances, I too fear the worst. They've been great in the 3rd period all playoffs, but I think it's a mistake to not start fast because psychologically set up for a big finish.

Play high level all 60 and let the additional adrenaline ramp up for the final 20. That's the only way.