OIL! @ Blues
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Captain Creampuff
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- Sep 10, 2012
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Good post. I concur with these thoughts.I went to the game and this is what I got from the game.
Blues started off the 1st period slow, they dominated and looked like they weren't even trying. They were overly confident since beating Edmonton so easily just a week ago that they could get by without having to put too much work in.
2nd Period started and play picked up a little bit but lead to 2 quick odd man rush goals. After that we started playing more physical and continued to dominate for the rest of the game, other than actually getting the puck into the net.
We had way too many chances to make a sweet pass to a guy open in the slot, yet we carried it to the outside and make a pass to the point only to get pokechecked and lead to an odd man rush.
My views on players tonight.
Pietrangelo: Awful, absolute garbage. He needs to pick up his skating speed if he is going to continue to step up in the offensive zone or neutral zone and get burnt EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Polak: Jesus Christ! Can you settle the puck once in your life? I know Polak is the least offensively gifted of our D, but there is no reason an NHL caliber player should create so many turnovers as he did tonight. Not to mention he CANNOT stop a puck from clearing the offensive zone to save his life.
Stewart: He looked good at times but with the puck tonight he kind of looked like the Stewart from last year. He wasn't shooting when he usually has this season, he should have made some slick passes but held on to the puck too long and/or made the wrong pass instead of the right one. Didn't play bad but not up to the Stewart standards we have seen this whole year.
Backes: Oh. My. Dear. ****ing. Lord. His physical game was much much better but he turned the puck over and made so many terrible blind passes, he was simply atrocious. Not to mention every shot he had was right at the goalie's chest.
Halak: Hey do you have any rebound control? You don't... Anyways he didn't let up a goal but I've never seen a goalie has worse rebound control than Halak has. Not only that he just looks shaky, looked over his back way too many times a goalie should. Wasn't really challenged a whole lot during the game, but god help him if he faced a quality shot.
Allen: Wasn't his fault, they had 3 scoring chances and capitalized on all of them. First goal he could have saved but I think he relied too much on Jackman blocking the pass. Second goal was just a roofer. Third goal, lol, what was he supposed to do? not have Eberle drill him to the boards?
Frank: Was our best player tonight, great hustle, great moves, shot the puck a lot, and his defensive game is starting to pick up more.
Schwartz: Don't like him on the 4th line but regardless I love his work ethic and his play. When moved to center Tarasenko they looked great, at times there was a little confusion but I think their playstyles will compliment each other very well for years to come. Is Hitch trying to turn Schwartz into a center? I can't say he did bad but as he grows into a man's body and with practice, I think he could be an effective 2-Way Playmaking Center. Think of Steen but more of a playmaker than a shooter.
Sobotka: Was Sobtoka, no complaints.
Berglund: Were you on the ice? Because you were invisible.
Oshie: Played a decent game, but pissed me off quite a bit because of how many times he failed to clear the puck out of the defensive zone.
Shattenkirk: Not bad but not great
Russell: I think Russell looked fine.
Perron: Not bad but sometimes I wish he would make a pass to Tarasenko who gets open for a perfect one-timer. I think he has just been accustomed to playing the perimeter which needs to be fixed if he is playing on a line with Frank. He played with the puck too much at times and made some questionable passes.
Porter: Porter came out throwing his body around, showing off his speed, and was just everywhere. Loved his game and which is why he got bumped up a few lines for awhile tonight.
Redden: Had a decent game but when he did turn the puck over it was just like
Andy (Speed down the wing and lose the puck right after you enter the zone) Mcdonald: Pretty self explanatory from the name I gave him. He's become almost a useless player. He had a few good passes but overall does not make up for his lack of puck control.
Porter's speed has really impressed me. I knew he always had good wheels but I don't remember him being THIS fast last season. He just flies by everyone on the wing. He has got to be the fastest skater on the team IMO (although Russell, Polak, McDonald are right there too). If only he had some hands. But he is what he is, a very hard-working, physical, good 4th-line player. Really like having him on the team, he always brings the effort and does his job very well.
Pietrangelo really did look bad. Very frustrating.
Polak: I love his defensive/physical ability but offensively it's funny to watch. He never hits the net with his shot either.
I would start Allen again on Thursday instead of Halak.
I do like Tarasenko's game since coming back from injury...always seems dangerous with the puck, plus solid overall defensive/physical game.
It's nice how much Russell has turned his game around. He is somewhat limited in his abilities, he is what he is as well, but a solid 3rd-pairing d-man nonetheless. Speed is a positive factor, he looks more confident offensively and much more solid defensively. Underrated shot blocker actually. A good Russell (like what we saw in the playoffs and what we are seeing now) and a bad Russell (earlier this season) is such a humongous difference. At least we have the good one back.
McDonald really isn't impressive at all. Shame.
Nichol is really only effective at winning faceoffs. Wouldn't mind seeing an upgrade there.
Jackman has generally been good with Petro, but Jackman-Shattenkirk and Russell-Polak compliment each other SO well, that it'd be nice if we could finally trade for someone to play with Petro and leave all 3 pairings alone. Redden will hold us back, no matter if he has improved a bit lately.
PocketNines
Cutter's Way
Originally JR tweeted the locker room was closed for 22 minutes. But then maybe there was a subsequent meeting between Hitch and the team leaders? It's not being reported clearly who met whom.
Captain Creampuff
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It's hard to say Sobotka had a bad game because he hasn't been playing like what he usually is labelled as a 4th/3rd liner. Sobotka's version of playing a bad game is him playing like a 4th line player instead of a 3rd/Fill-In player.
brendan
rip bruv/cudi
Captain Creampuff
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None of which were on him(first one a point could be made he should have anticipated the pass, but he relied too much on Jackman blocking the pass). They will play Halak just because of that, but they shouldn't play him because of it.
brendan
rip bruv/cudi
Whether it was on him or not, he still gave up 3 goals on only 7 shots. You don't get two consecutive starts after a game like that whether it was your fault or not
Falco Lombardi
Registered User
Einstein's definition of insanity states that you repeat an action and expect a different result.
I saw what happens when the action is Halak faces the Kings. I would rather try something different and go with Allen.
I saw what happens when the action is Halak faces the Kings. I would rather try something different and go with Allen.
542365
2018-19 Cup Champs!
- Mar 22, 2012
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Agreed, especially since there is a battle for the number 1 spot. If one guy struggles, the other gets the chance. Allen struggled, Jaro deserves the chance.
PocketNines
Cutter's Way
Thursday is the last chance before playoffs to make a dent in LA's stranglehold. Halak needs to play if he's the intended playoff starter. If a playoff series were starting against LA tomorrow, would Halak be in net? If the answer is yes, then he needs to start Thursday. If the answer is no, then start Allen, but then the plan needs to be starting Allen in the playoffs.
Lord Helix
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- Nov 12, 2010
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Hey at least Thursday we won't outplay our opponent and lose, we'll just straight up lose.
That's the spirit. Sadly, I don't think the sarcasm emoticon is needed. You're likely speaking the truth.
PocketNines
Cutter's Way
Berglund and Stewart getting back to that bit of inconsistency again. Berglund ... was gonna make a comment about his invisibility during the game but glad others saw the same thing. Stewart ... hmm ... don't want to rag on him because overall his effort this year has been strong, but he did look quiet tonight. Pietrangelo had been looking good again but he definitely had an early-season crop-up. Schwartz, Porter, Sobotka, Tarasenko were bright spots on offense. Tarasenko has gone on a long stretch of dangerous chances thwarted. Feels like when he breaks out it'll be a big breakout.
PocketNines
Cutter's Way
Exactly.
Halak/Elliott have shown they can't beat LA. It's time to give Allen a shot against them and see what happens. Allen still gives us the best chance to win right now.
Oh but he got pulled since his defense left him hung out to dry. Better put in the guy with a .893 save% again even after he got completely owned last time.
Robb_K
Registered User
I'd rather see Allen in goal vs. La than Halak. Allen is bigger (covers more of the net), seems to have much more consistent concentration, squares up better, uses his glove hand (and, therefore, gives up a LOT less rebounds (juicy rebounds). Allen also is much better at handling the puck.
There are too few games left to go into this crucial game with a significantly lower upside potential, and also with a worse proven recent track record. It makes no sense to gamble only on Halak's possible "embarrassment factor". That hasn't worked much at all after his recent poor games.
Allen will be better than Halak, regardless of whether or not his teammates hang the goalie out to dry, or they play relatively well on defence.
There are too few games left to go into this crucial game with a significantly lower upside potential, and also with a worse proven recent track record. It makes no sense to gamble only on Halak's possible "embarrassment factor". That hasn't worked much at all after his recent poor games.
Allen will be better than Halak, regardless of whether or not his teammates hang the goalie out to dry, or they play relatively well on defence.
I went to the game and this is what I got from the game.
Blues started off the 1st period slow, they dominated and looked like they weren't even trying. They were overly confident since beating Edmonton so easily just a week ago that they could get by without having to put too much work in.
2nd Period started and play picked up a little bit but lead to 2 quick odd man rush goals. After that we started playing more physical and continued to dominate for the rest of the game, other than actually getting the puck into the net.
We had way too many chances to make a sweet pass to a guy open in the slot, yet we carried it to the outside and make a pass to the point only to get pokechecked and lead to an odd man rush.
My views on players tonight.
Pietrangelo: Awful, absolute garbage. He needs to pick up his skating speed if he is going to continue to step up in the offensive zone or neutral zone and get burnt EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Polak: Jesus Christ! Can you settle the puck once in your life? I know Polak is the least offensively gifted of our D, but there is no reason an NHL caliber player should create so many turnovers as he did tonight. Not to mention he CANNOT stop a puck from clearing the offensive zone to save his life.
Stewart: He looked good at times but with the puck tonight he kind of looked like the Stewart from last year. He wasn't shooting when he usually has this season, he should have made some slick passes but held on to the puck too long and/or made the wrong pass instead of the right one. Didn't play bad but not up to the Stewart standards we have seen this whole year.
Backes: Oh. My. Dear. ****ing. Lord. His physical game was much much better but he turned the puck over and made so many terrible blind passes, he was simply atrocious. Not to mention every shot he had was right at the goalie's chest.
Halak: Hey do you have any rebound control? You don't... Anyways he didn't let up a goal but I've never seen a goalie has worse rebound control than Halak has. Not only that he just looks shaky, looked over his back way too many times a goalie should. Wasn't really challenged a whole lot during the game, but god help him if he faced a quality shot.
Allen: Wasn't his fault, they had 3 scoring chances and capitalized on all of them. First goal he could have saved but I think he relied too much on Jackman blocking the pass. Second goal was just a roofer. Third goal, lol, what was he supposed to do? not have Eberle drill him to the boards?
Frank: Was our best player tonight, great hustle, great moves, shot the puck a lot, and his defensive game is starting to pick up more.
Schwartz: Don't like him on the 4th line but regardless I love his work ethic and his play. When moved to center Tarasenko they looked great, at times there was a little confusion but I think their playstyles will compliment each other very well for years to come. Is Hitch trying to turn Schwartz into a center? I can't say he did bad but as he grows into a man's body and with practice, I think he could be an effective 2-Way Playmaking Center. Think of Steen but more of a playmaker than a shooter.
Sobotka: Was Sobtoka, no complaints.
Berglund: Were you on the ice? Because you were invisible.
Oshie: Played a decent game, but pissed me off quite a bit because of how many times he failed to clear the puck out of the defensive zone.
Shattenkirk: Not bad but not great
Russell: I think Russell looked fine.
Perron: Not bad but sometimes I wish he would make a pass to Tarasenko who gets open for a perfect one-timer. I think he has just been accustomed to playing the perimeter which needs to be fixed if he is playing on a line with Frank. He played with the puck too much at times and made some questionable passes.
Porter: Porter came out throwing his body around, showing off his speed, and was just everywhere. Loved his game and which is why he got bumped up a few lines for awhile tonight.
Redden: Had a decent game but when he did turn the puck over it was just like
Andy (Speed down the wing and lose the puck right after you enter the zone) Mcdonald: Pretty self explanatory from the name I gave him. He's become almost a useless player. He had a few good passes but overall does not make up for his lack of puck control.
My sentiments almost exactly... Maybe Pietro needs to be the piece that goes. He seems to cost us more goals than he can create. Can't win that way. Just frustrating me to no end. Oshie needs to shoot the puck...we get it...you have great hands...now put the puck on goal and clear the puck out of your own zone. Perron doesn't need to be on the ice with teammates. I wish it was a video game where I could press a button and make him pass...see the wide open one timer...press the A button... Backes needs a $100 jar to drop money in everytime he shoots the puck at the goalies chest...helped my grandfather quit smoking...maybe he will go to the left or right. Stewart, Berglund, McDonald, Steen, Shatty...did you even play last night?
We lost to Edmonton...
My sentiments almost exactly... Maybe Pietro needs to be the piece that goes. He seems to cost us more goals than he can create. Can't win that way. Just frustrating me to no end. Oshie needs to shoot the puck...we get it...you have great hands...now put the puck on goal and clear the puck out of your own zone. Perron doesn't need to be on the ice with teammates. I wish it was a video game where I could press a button and make him pass...see the wide open one timer...press the A button... Backes needs a $100 jar to drop money in everytime he shoots the puck at the goalies chest...helped my grandfather quit smoking...maybe he will go to the left or right. Stewart, Berglund, McDonald, Steen, Shatty...did you even play last night?
That should only be frustration talking, because if you are even 1% serious in that statement you should consult a medical professional.
It's frustration...I know how valuable a piece he is. I have to be honest though. If the Blues did decide to trade him, then I can see why they did. He has really cost them this year. I don't know, if it is the pressure of the contract or what. He has several games that you can point to that he was a prime factor in why they lost.
izzy
go
This is the NHL. Not EA Sports or minor hockey. Just shooting it rarely goes in, and is a waste of an opportunity.
erderuft
Registered User
This is pretty much exactly what I think. I wouldn't be overly upset if they decided to play Allen again, but this is a golden opportunity for Halak to show everyone that he deserves to get his starter status back. If he could have a good game against the Kings, I think that would mean a lot for Halak's confidence, and be extremely important for the Blues as a whole.
I just don't see Hitch playing Allen as the starter in the playoffs, regardless of Halak/ Elliott playing poorly. The playoffs is a whole other entity than the regular season, and Allen has all of 3 playoff games of experience as a pro. All with Peoria, all losses. I'm not saying Allen doesn't deserve the start, I just think that it's too important for us to get Halak going again to pass up on this opportunity.
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