GDT: Game #10: St. Louis Blues vs. Detroit Redwings

[Tryblot]

You must be watching the bright spots. They haven't outplayed either team for more than 2 or 3 minutes.

Well both games I started watching it was after it was already 3 or 4-1 so maybe the other team had already stopped playing and St. Louis was pressing. Either way though, both times St. Louis was dominating and Elliott let in a weak goal to deflate the team even more.

 

[Note Worthy]

Putrid and pathetic effort tonight, I'm leaving the game embarrassed

Had the same feeling on Tuesday night. Sucks...

 

[542365]

Franzen would have turtled, but I actually agree. Something should have been done then and there. Sad it wasn't

Since it wasn't, I would have settled for the eye for an eye, you spear one of our best, we do the same. Of course Shanahan would have suspended our guy for the season and made the ref apologize to Franzen.

I think he's looking at a fine for that spear. They will probably take into account that he was boarded just prior to it, and was reacting out of anger.

 

[OCTA8ON*]

Sure, everyone is playing underpar, but where is the blame on brian elliot? we came off firing on all cylinders in the first 5 minutes, but when elliot let up the first soft goal, the team became demoralized. elliot sucks plain and simple.

 

[brendan]

Really thought it was gonna be impossible for the Blues to be blown out like this two games in a row

 

[Stealth JD]

I'm going Saturday. I expect a 4-2 Ducks win.

They'll improve...but they're still nowhere near committing 100% to Hitch's gameplan. They're playing soft and selfish.

 

[wingfan]

I think he's looking at a fine for that spear. They will probably take into account that he was boarded just prior to it, and was reacting out of anger.

Franzen's a real tough guy between the whistles, that's for sure. The spear was uncalled for and unacceptable. Yeah, Perron should've avoided the boarding, but he also could've hit him a lot harder. Franzen should get a game and max fine IMO.

 

[ExJbeck]

Boys what the heck is going on!!! Im going to be brutally honest. We look terrorable. Where in the heck did the 5-on-5 play go? I mean seriously, wayyyyyy to much reaching for pucks, way to much not skating hard, way to much head down looking at the ice instead of heads up.

Get Redden out of there, thanks man you got your 1000 games, let Cole play. Im tired of him already. Seriously, was Carlo that bad?
Orrrrrrr is it Petro? Who would have thought he would try and be Karlsson/Doughty? Looks like half of him usual self, but in his defense, Hitch needs to quit switching up his partner. I'm convinced the best we have is Cole.

Tarasenko almighty, taking out of consideration that you're a rookie, start skating harder and quit reaching. McDonald needs to start skating with his head up we need him producing.

Russell, Stewart, Backes, Polak, Jackman all need to play better especially the captain. Is the real Backes still rescuing some dogs?
And earth to out goalies, make a frickin' save and keep the team in the game! We have the worst SV% in the league. Obviously the team is sucking but so are the goalies.

The best news is that it is all fixable. I really have no clue how long it will take because I never expected this to happen, but we are so much of a better team then we are playing right now. Im sick of watching this crap, puts me in a terrible mood and yes i can spell terrible.

 

[DatDude44]

Franzen's a real tough guy between the whistles, that's for sure. The spear was uncalled for and unacceptable. Yeah, Perron should've avoided the boarding, but he also could've hit him a lot harder. Franzen should get a game and max fine IMO. And to the clown saying that Nichol should spear Hank or Pav, you're a disgrace to your fanbase.

lol u just called franzen tough...

 

[sbet1998]

These two games have shown me that Hitch gets way too much credit around here and in general.

He's become an issue. In two home games Pietrangelo has scored the only two goals and they were flukey. Thats after he molested with the lines to a point that no one has any continuity. Schwartz-Tarasenko-Berglund???? WTF, and that's only one line. And he did this because of a tiny sample size. Its idiotic.

I think there is something to this, he cant keep acting like everyone on the Blues are interchangeable.

 

[ExJbeck]

These two games have shown me that Hitch gets way too much credit around here and in general.

He's become an issue. In two home games Pietrangelo has scored the only two goals and they were flukey. Thats after he molested with the lines to a point that no one has any continuity. Schwartz-Tarasenko-Berglund???? WTF, and that's only one line. And he did this because of a tiny sample size. Its idiotic.

I think there is something to this, he cant keep acting like everyone on the Blues are interchangeable.

The team is not playing good that is not Hitch's fault. A whole bunch of poor decisions from the players.

 

[GrandPapillon*]

I think he's looking at a fine for that spear. They will probably take into account that he was boarded just prior to it, and was reacting out of anger.

I doubt he gets fined. The match penalty was fair. That said, disappointed the Blues didn't respond with more anger. If Stewart had speared Zetterberg, do we really believe Tootoo wouldn't have taken a run or two at a Blues player? I would have liked a message sent that cheapshotting Perron, Tarasenko, or any skilled player comes with a shot at one of theirs, but I do think those days may be over, and for better or worse, the eye for an eye days have passed.

 

[superblues]

The team is not playing good that is not Hitch's fault. A whole bunch of poor decisions from the players.

How is the team playing poorly NOT Hitch's fault to some degree?

 

[sbet1998]

The team is not playing good that is not Hitch's fault. A whole bunch of poor decisions from the players.

You dont think it affects play when their lines are getting played with every game?

They played the same lines the first 7 games. What was their record? The last 3 games the lines have been fiddle-f'd with. Its a reasonable thought. If you have ever played the game you know that continuity with your linemates is a good thing. Ill leave it at that.

 

[superblues]

I doubt he gets fined. The match penalty was fair. That said, disappointed the Blues didn't respond with more anger. If Stewart had speared Zetterberg, do we really believe Tootoo wouldn't have taken a run or two at a Blues player? I would have liked a message sent that cheapshotting Perron, Tarasenko, or any skilled player comes with a shot at one of theirs, but I do think those days may be over, and for better or worse, the eye for an eye days have passed.

I'd rather the Blues sent the message with a goal or two on the PP rather than a retalitory cheap shot. But that's me.

 

[Laser Rayzor]

I doubt he gets fined. The match penalty was fair. That said, disappointed the Blues didn't respond with more anger. If Stewart had speared Zetterberg, do we really believe Tootoo wouldn't have taken a run or two at a Blues player? I would have liked a message sent that cheapshotting Perron, Tarasenko, or any skilled player comes with a shot at one of theirs, but I do think those days may be over, and for better or worse, the eye for an eye days have passed.

Shouldn't jump in but I can't resist.

Boarding Franzen with a hit straight to the numbers isn't a cheap shot?
The spear was uncalled for/dirty, that's been established; but stop acting like Perron was 100% innocent in the play. Franzen's spear/slash was retaliation not instigation.

 

[PocketNines]

It's been two disgraceful, embarrassing games in a row at home after what seemed like a juggernaut start. Some real bipolar performances.

The reality is we mostly agreed that the first 10 games wasn't going to be what hockey looked like at the end of the season and in the playoffs. Well, I think we can safely say this is true. Right now this team knows it's good, knows it's a favorite, and maybe the strong start made them think the Cup was nearly in hand. Whatever the case, this has to be a huge reality check. Basically Hitch has his work cut out right now to get the team back to what it did last year. They have to buy back in. I think if they do buy back in they're gonna still be very, very good. If they don't, it's gonna be a wild ride and the fanbase will spend most of the season surly as hell.

 

[Oberyn]

We need a true number one center on our team, Backes is more suited to a 2nd line role. Package guys like Stewart/Berglund/Schwartz/D'Agostini and any prospect we have for a guy that can take control of our first line. I honestly don't see a future for Stewart in the note, guy plays so soft along the boards, and he always tries to whip it back to the point without checking if the point is covered. That play leads to so many giveaways, and I've noticed him doing it on a consistent basis.

I'd honestly take a look at Backstrom from the Caps. The team is in shambles right now, and he's been slow coming out of the gate. Trade something like Stewart + Berglund + 1st/any prospect for Backstrom. Hell I'd even do Steen instead of Berglund if we had to.

 

[ExJbeck]

How is the team playing poorly NOT Hitch's fault to some degree?

The only thing Hitch is doing wrong from my view is that the lines combinations are not working. Agree? The players are on the ice, making bad play after bad play, etc. How are we suppose to blame Hitch for players cheating in every zone. How do we blame Hitch for the players not skating hard? How do we blame Hitch for anything the players on the ice do? What do you advise him to do in game when ever we cant generate any quality scoring chances 5-on-5? Do you want him to not juggle the lines? The system we play, if played correctly is next to impossible to stop. Were getting beat by teams with 2/3 of the depth we have. Trust me this is the players fault.

 

[BlueBeard]

You dont think it affects play when their lines are getting played with every game?

They played the same lines the first 7 games. What was their record? The last 3 games the lines have been fiddle-f'd with. Its a reasonable thought. If you have ever played the game you know that continuity with your linemates is a good thing. Ill leave it at that.

How long have Backes, Oshie, Berglund, Perron, Steen and McDonald been on the Blues now? The only two of those who don't have much playing time together is Berglund and Backes. The rest of them have played well together in multiple configurations for years now. If they cannot handle a shake-up in lines here and there we might as well trade every single one of them.

 

[Big Al 2]

Blaming Hitch will be typical blues for the last 20 years. He's the best coach in the league, if we dump him we are useless for another 5 years. The first 7 games our players were flying up and down the ice, now all I see is lazy hockey. Outscored 16-4 last 3 games

 

[sbet1998]

When you mess with the lines, you mess with everyones roles and who they are supposed to cover in the D-zone. Not to mention the confusion in the O-zone when you are playing with new linemates.

Ill say it again, the line fiddle-****ing has caused confusion for the players in every zone. They wont communicate as well as the players who are familiar with each other. That is common sense.

THE ONE THING THE BLUES HAD WAS A GROUP OF PLAYERS WHO HAD GOTTEN USED TO THEIR ROLES AND PLAYING TOGETHER FOR YEARS, NOW THEY HAVE GIVEN THAT UP AND ITS ALL CONFUSION AND A MORE OFFENSIVE APPROACH THAT WONT WORK.

The goaltenders need to make a big save once in a while as well.

 

[Fred Murtz]

Valtteri Filppula breakaway goal

 

[superblues]

The only thing Hitch is doing wrong from my view is that the lines combinations are not working. Agree? The players are on the ice, making bad play after bad play, etc. How are we suppose to blame Hitch for players cheating in every zone. How do we blame Hitch for the players not skating hard? How do we blame Hitch for anything the players on the ice do? What do you advise him to do in game when ever we cant generate any quality scoring chances 5-on-5? Do you want him to not juggle the lines? The system we play, if played correctly is next to impossible to stop. Were getting beat by teams with 2/3 of the depth we have. Trust me this is the players fault.

You haven't convinced me because the failings of his players, of his team, are still his fault.

I see a lazy, undisciplined approach on the ice, especially defensively. This, to me, screams of a coaching problem. But I'm certainly not saying Hitch is THE problem, just A problem. That he's as responsible for our downturn as anybody.

Still plenty of season left.

Edit for clarity: it isn't time to fire Hitch or any such nonsense. But he does have some work to do to get the team focused again.

 

[Wiems35*]

Can we get back to Easton making the GDTs?