Blues @ Nucks: Nucks stealing our men of the river edition

[Vladys Gumption]

I think can all agree that was an awful period. Hopefully the third is better.

 

[GrandPapillon*]

Backes does not get a free pass. He certainly doesn't from you, who somehow brings up his play and the "trade Perron" shtick daily.

It's clear you think very highly of your own opinion, I'm confused why you think he gets a free pass when you certainly aren't giving him one.

Backes is playing like a very replaceable 3rd line center yet is untouchable by the Blues fans on this forum. That is asinine when you consider that the Blues have at least two other players capable of sliding over and playing a 2 way center role. Not many on here even acknowledge that Backes has been an uninspired unacceptable shell of his former self this season. Most that do just make excuses for him.

 

[PocketNines]

The results of this game are justifying that hash oil. It sucks we're losing, but I'm gonna watch Miami Vice after this so there's some upside.

 

[EastonBlues22]

My takes on the goals:

1: Polak wasn't catch up with Hansen, but he the position and speed to force Raymond outside. Russell was in position to trade off and take Hansen. Somehow the switch wasn't communicated well, which led to a slow switch that was caught and punished in the middle. I don't blame the goalie. Uncontested rocket from the top of the circle from a guy coming in with a lot of speed, which makes it hard to nail the angle (since it's changing so fast and you have to respect a fake). Perfect shot.

2: Sloppy defense off the cycle. The man who scored was Steen's man, but Steen picked up his break late and was picked off by traffic in front of the net. Backes and Jackman look bad, but it wasn't their fault. Allen read the pass as going to the forward camped directly in front of him and was squared up well to that shot. Pass went through that player to the backdoor cut. I personally don't think Allen had a prayer unless Sedin hit him with the shot.

3: Another "caught halfway in between" play. Jackman shouldn't be pushing his defense out past the top of the circle like he did (especially with two other defenders handy) when Schroeder curled into the middle of the ice. Ideally Jackman should have recognized the play earlier, released, and picked up the guy Backes had, leaving Backes should have applied pressure to the middle of the ice without getting dragged too low down in the zone defensively. If Jackman couldn't do that, he needed to communicate (or Backes needed to pick up on the fact) that Backes needed to stick with his guy instead of peeling off. Didn't happen, and the two ended up stuck halfway in between the two otions. Not seeing much of a prayer for Allen here, either. He was already pushing hard over to cover that shot in case of a shot, and there's no chance he could have reversed his momentum in time to make a play when the guy was allowed to blow back across the front of the crease virtually untouched with speed.

 

[Celtic Note]

Ah, my bad.

I think there's a lot of credence to the thought that the Blues might function best with an Anaheim Ducks 06-07 forward makeup with a legit top 6, a defensive responsible 3rd line that can chip in, and an energy line.

I think the roles become more muddied with a more talented lineup.

I was being unclear...barleywine talking.

I agree about the muddied roles. But what do you do about it other than trade significant players? Part of it, IMO, is parting with McDonald this offseason.

 

[sbet1998]

Well, the Canucks scored 3 goals in a period. No reason we can't also. Hopefully they come out flying.

They could, in theory. They wont, in reality. Theyve checked out. They gave up after they couldnt finish in the first. This team is weak on fortitude. We've seen it all season. I miss the low-scoring relentless puck-possession hawks that I witnessed last year.

Still have a good feeling about the PO's, though. 16-11-2 isnt horrid. I wouldnt have taken it at the start of the year but if they lose this game they have still won 5 of 7.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

Look a lot better so far.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

Holy cow, Schwartz knocked somebody over?

 

[izzy]

Russel is always on.

 

[Stang]

damn, bergy almost had one

 

[Lord Helix]

Berglund nails the post. Cursed, I tell ya.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

damn, bergy almost had one

That was a rocket too

 

[Celtic Note]

We really are not providing much 2nd man support on our puck battles.

 

[Lord Helix]

One timer by Frank!

 

[Stang]

tarasenko!

 

[542365]

Attaboy Tarasenko! Great shot. Let's get another.

 

[izzy]

Woo, Frank.

Wait, could be tipped

 

[Vladys Gumption]

See what happens when you shoot Frank? It goes in off of Schwartz.

 

[superblues]

Frank!

 

[TheOrganist]

The positive part of having a more talented lineup: they're never out of a game.

 

[sbet1998]

Come on Blues, make me feel like an idiot. VT.

 

[Stang]

schwartz gonna get that one

 

[BackesInBlue]

Frank and Jaden!

 

[bcd051]

Right now the Canucks are doing the thing we hate. They are just trying to sit on the 3 goal lead. We will score at least two this period...WOOT! Just scored. You cannot sit on your heels all period. If the Canucks continue to do this, we WILL score at least one more.

 

[Falco Lombardi]

Had a feeling that Tarasenko was going to score.