GDT: Game 23/82 Blues @ NYR 6PM CST FDSNMW

[PanniniClaus]

I think many of the Blues are going to love Monty's O zone system.

Monty's plan is to make the most of the O-zone by keeping forwards between the dot lanes and d on the flanks/walls. Forwards are able to stay off the walls, find interior plays and be first on loose pucks near the net. Ds have the green light to pinch down on 50/50 pucks and to attack down the wall with possession. So a Perunovich and Broberg should really benefit... Parayko and Faulk could find some joy here too.

Downside is that there is a great deal of possession in the high ice so teams that start to watch video and have a well timed man to man up top can create turnovers and high danger scoring chances.

 

[Blanick]

I didn't mean to imply that he won't be great for the franchise. But this game is not evidence of that one way or another. A coach can't fly in that morning or the day before or whatever, have a morning skate and suddenly he fixed the team and made meaningful change.

The players are playing hard for the new coach, or shocked and scared cause their play cost the old coach, but it's not a indication of anything sustainable. As I said, the true test is if they can keep playing hard and keep showing improvements.

Oh of course in any coaches tenure there is going to be peaks and valleys in play. New coach bump usually last 3-5 games and then things start to normalize in my experience. What I am looking for is change in strategy and structure. Is the shot first mentality going to continue? I want to see the Blues adapt a Canes like strategy up pucks and bodies to the net. Yes there will be games where we make the opposing goalie look like prime Hasek but it's the best strategy in my eye. Create chaos, win battles.

 

[Reality Czech]

Is it just a coincidence that Bolduc is producing now that Bannister is gone? Gotta wonder...

A pro player should be able to score regardless of who the coach is. I think this is a stretch that the coach change is the only reason but he was definitely due to break out. Nice to see him bust out of his scoring slump.

Hopefully his trade value is increasing.

Why rush to trade the guy now that he's finally coming into his own. Don't get that at all. It's been great to see him finally healthy and putting it together. Some guys just need a bit more time.

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

It was nice to see the Blues attacking in the 3rd period while they had the lead. I had forgotten they were allowed to do that.

That's been my, and I'm sure many other's, gripe about the team under Bannister this season. Night in and night out it looked like they were just trying to hold on, much like their head coach was just trying to hold on.

If you're a team that's struggling, play your ass off, play physical, get bodies in front, funnel the puck to the net, and push the pace. If you sit back good offenses will pick you apart. FINALLY, they kept pushing the pace instead of playing preservation hockey and they DOMINATED the third period.

 

[BlueOil]

monster game from bolduc, finally broke through and was nice n spicy all game

 

[Stealth JD]

Man...that was a fun game to watch. Over forty shots. Actual offensive chances. Physical play. Periodic execution of passes and one-timers.
What a treat. That was like an actual NHL game last night.

Now the question becomes was it a mirage - the temporary new coach bump - or is it sustainable? Boys seemed to play determined for Monty; you love to see that. If they can repeat that effort over and over again it's not too late to call off the tank. Rangers have been ass lately, so we'll need to see a few more games before we can make any sense of what we just saw. But it was a good start and a pleasant departure from 'ineptitude on ice'.

LGB!

 

[Drubilly]

Didn’t catch the game but I’d like to know if anyone paid any attention to Miller?

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Didn’t catch the game but I’d like to know if anyone paid any attention to Miller?

He was their only D-man with a positive +/- with 20+ minutes of ice time. I honestly think he would be a smart pick up

 

[Drubilly]

He was their only D-man with a positive +/- with 20+ minutes of ice time. I honestly think he would be a smart pick up

Thanks. Yeah I don’t get it from their fans. The way they describe his faults he sounds like a lefty Parayko. (How we Blues fans describe CP’s faults)
I understand there’s maybe something going on in the background with him and he probably needs a personal reset but I wouldn’t want to jettison him if I were a (gulp) Rangers fan.

 

[TheOrganist]

We're in the midst of a rough stretch of games but I don't buy the "new coach bump" skeptics. There is overwhelming historical evidence that Monty will be able to install & execute an effective system that prioritizes breaking the puck out with speed, attacking & possession. His teams were always well coached.

Watch any Boston game and the structure was always excellent. Bruins fans got on him about coaching decisions like goaltending in 2023...not structure. His body language also reveals a guy who is just super happy to be here...you can tell in Boston he was miserable and Friedman has speculated that their was philosophical differences between he and management...he wasn't staying after this year and had checked out a bit...it happens.