Road to the Winter Classic 2022

[Linkens Mastery]

Still pretty hilarious that JR thinks our defense couldn't handle Minnesota's offense in a 7 game series...

JR wants to downplay the Blues since his best buddy left.

 

[Joshuar56]

Still pretty hilarious that JR thinks our defense couldn't handle Minnesota's offense in a 7 game series...

But he thinks Minnesota could handle our offense?

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Still pretty hilarious that JR thinks our defense couldn't handle Minnesota's offense in a 7 game series...

Where did he say this? Can’t find it.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Where did he say this? Can’t find it.

Think it was a chat?

 

[BlueMed]

Where did he say this? Can’t find it.

Think it was a chat?

Look at his most recent mailbag on the Athletic on December 18. A fan asked a question about whether the Blues defense could go through Colorado and Minneosta, and JR explained why he doesn't think that's the case. There is no perfectly constructed team in the league (even Tampa), but I'm always amazed that in these hypothetical series matchups, the criticism always falls on the Blues, as if Colorado doesn't have goaltending issues or the fact that Minnesota lacks star power throughout their entire roster.

 

[TheDizee]

they went from 1hr hbo episodes to 5 minute youtube clips

 

[542365]

I would be shocked if we lost a series to Minnesota. They remind me of Hitch Blues type of a team. They play hard and have enough talent to win regular season games through hard work and will, but in the playoffs when everyone is going all out(like the Blues were on the big stage of the Winter Classic) they just don’t have the talent to keep up.

I would be almost equally shocked if the blues beat the Avs in a series because our defense is still subpar and we don’t really have the skill to outskill them over 7 games(I don’t think anyone does). They’ll lose to a better defensive squad like Vegas, Carolina, Florida, Tampa etc.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

I would be shocked if we lost a series to Minnesota. They remind me of Hitch Blues type of a team. They play hard and have enough talent to win regular season games through hard work and will, but in the playoffs when everyone is going all out(like the Blues were on the big stage of the Winter Classic) they just don’t have the talent to keep up.

I would be almost equally shocked if the blues beat the Avs in a series because our defense is still subpar and we don’t really have the skill to outskill them over 7 games(I don’t think anyone does). They’ll lose to a better defensive squad like Vegas, Carolina, Florida, Tampa etc.

For a team with such a bad defense compared to God's Team over there in the Avs it's surprising that we have allowed less goals in more games than the Avs. I honestly believe we are much closer to the Avs than people on this board thinks. Plus I have zero faith in Kuemper.

 

[ezcreepin]

For a team with such a bad defense compared to God's Team over there in the Avs it's surprising that we have allowed less goals in more games than the Avs. I honestly believe we are much closer to the Avs than people on this board thinks. Plus I have zero faith in Kuemper.

I would argue the same, but there is something to be said about interdivisional rival games vs other teams. Winnipeg ALWAYS plays the Blues hard and so do the Avs, so it wouldn't be surprising to me to see the Blues lose a series against either team despite the Blues having better overall team statistics. Kings and Hawks had our number for years before we were finally able to brush it off, even when our team was clearly superior in construction.

 

[TheDizee]

kuemper is not a cup caliber goaltender

 

[Pizza!Pizza!]

I would be shocked if we lost a series to Minnesota. They remind me of Hitch Blues type of a team. They play hard and have enough talent to win regular season games through hard work and will, but in the playoffs when everyone is going all out(like the Blues were on the big stage of the Winter Classic) they just don’t have the talent to keep up.

I would be almost equally shocked if the blues beat the Avs in a series because our defense is still subpar and we don’t really have the skill to outskill them over 7 games(I don’t think anyone does). They’ll lose to a better defensive squad like Vegas, Carolina, Florida, Tampa etc.

I liked the first half of your post but disagree with the second.

The Avs are the most overrated team in the West other than the Wild. Last year they had 0 depth, they did improve a little in the off season but they still don't have depth. I keep seeing post after post last season/this season about them being 'the deepest team in the conference/league' but its total bullshit. Watch them play. If Mac or Rant go cold or get injured the whole team slumps. They're just a more polished version of the Oilers with a better coach. Blues have much more depth and would easily roll them if they can actually manage to stay healthy in the post-season.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

I would be shocked if we lost a series to Minnesota. They remind me of Hitch Blues type of a team. They play hard and have enough talent to win regular season games through hard work and will, but in the playoffs when everyone is going all out(like the Blues were on the big stage of the Winter Classic) they just don’t have the talent to keep up.

I would be almost equally shocked if the blues beat the Avs in a series because our defense is still subpar and we don’t really have the skill to outskill them over 7 games(I don’t think anyone does). They’ll lose to a better defensive squad like Vegas, Carolina, Florida, Tampa etc.

The Wild hadn’t played in more than 2 weeks. I’m happy how the Blues played, but it’s probably not wise to extrapolate too much from Minnesota’s performance.

They’re a good team. But the Blues have had their number lately.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

The Wild hadn’t played in more than 2 weeks. I’m happy how the Blues played, but it’s probably not wise to extrapolate too much from Minnesota’s performance.

They’re a good team. But the Blues have had their number lately.

Ohhhhh!!! You and your perspective. Go away!

 

[Xerloris]

The Wild hadn’t played in more than 2 weeks. I’m happy how the Blues played, but it’s probably not wise to extrapolate too much from Minnesota’s performance.

They’re a good team. But the Blues have had their number lately.

The Wild look like absolute dog shit. 2 weeks don't do that. If you recall he Blues just nearly had 2 weeks off as well and looked good game 1.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

The Wild look like absolute dog shit. 2 weeks don't do that. If you recall he Blues just nearly had 2 weeks off as well and looked good game 1.

They were without their #1C and top 2D.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

They were without their #1C and top 2D.

Weren't Blues fans ragging on the Blues during their slump when we were without a bunch of players? I'll never understand this double standard.

Blues are without half their team and lose "this team is horrible and nowhere near a cup contender"

Another team is missing one or two players "well they are missing players, they get a pass for losing a game"

 

[ItsOnlytheRiver]

Weren't Blues fans ragging on the Blues during their slump when we were without a bunch of players? I'll never understand this double standard.

Blues are without half their team and lose "this team is horrible and nowhere near a cup contender"

Another team is missing one or two players "well they are missing players, they get a pass for losing a game"

Ah good point. Safe to say the Blues should coast to conference finals and MN will be lucky to make the playoffs.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Weren't Blues fans ragging on the Blues during their slump when we were without a bunch of players? I'll never understand this double standard.

Blues are without half their team and lose "this team is horrible and nowhere near a cup contender"

Another team is missing one or two players "well they are missing players, they get a pass for losing a game"

Its not about making excuses. Its simply about projecting how good Minnesota will be in a potential playoff series. The Winter Classic was not the Wild's best by a long shot.

I think it would be great if Minnesota and Colorado met in Round 1. Probably the best option for the Blues.

Personally, I really hope St Louis gets to play Vegas in the playoffs. I just want to see that series.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Ah good point. Safe to say the Blues should coast to conference finals and MN will be lucky to make the playoffs.

That's what you got out of that? I'm just tired of the double standards. We act like the Avs, The Jets, and the Wild are on some golden pedestal out of our reach. Yet none of them made it out of the 2nd round of the playoffs. In the last three years. And the only one who made it past that in the last 5 years was Winnipeg.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Its not about making excuses. Its simply about projecting how good Minnesota will be in a potential playoff series. The Winter Classic was not the Wild's best by a long shot.

I think it would be great if Minnesota and Colorado met in Round 1. Probably the best option for the Blues.

Personally, I really hope St Louis gets to play Vegas in the playoffs. I just want to see that series.

Like how we were projecting Winnipeg to be a top 3 team in the division before the season started?

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Like how we were projecting Winnipeg to be a top 3 team in the division before the season started?

What are you even arguing about? Why would a preseason prediction have anything to do with how we rate a team we've been watching play for 4 months? Literally no one here is going to argue with you that Winnipeg doesn't look very good right now.

I'm well aware of how impressive the Blues have been to keep winning with all the injuries and AHL call-ups. Its been fun to watch. I am well aware of how the national media seemingly ignored the injuries last year AND this year, yet give credit to Colorado and Vegas for the same types of situations. None of that means that Minnesota isn't a good team, or that we should stupidly assign outsize meaning to the egg they laid in the Winter Classic. They were missing good players and looked like a team with a holiday hang-over (shocking!) who hadn't played for a couple weeks and was not ready to compete agains ta good team (the Blues).

I've watched a lot of Minnesota games this season. They're a good team, and a contender to win the division. Who knows how those rankings will play out with so many Covid outages, rescheduled games, etc. But if they're healthy, they'll be a tough out in the playoffs. I can't even figure out what you're arguing here....that we SHOULD extrapolate from the Winter Classic situation?

 

[Linkens Mastery]

What are you even arguing about? Why would a preseason prediction have anything to do with how we rate a team we've been watching play for 4 months? Literally no one here is going to argue with you that Winnipeg doesn't look very good right now.

I'm well aware of how impressive the Blues have been to keep winning with all the injuries and AHL call-ups. Its been fun to watch. I am well aware of how the national media seemingly ignored the injuries last year AND this year, yet give credit to Colorado and Vegas for the same types of situations. None of that means that Minnesota isn't a good team, or that we should stupidly assign outsize meaning to the egg they laid in the Winter Classic. They were missing good players and looked like a team with a holiday hang-over (shocking!) who hadn't played for a couple weeks and was not ready to compete agains ta good team (the Blues).

I've watched a lot of Minnesota games this season. They're a good team, and a contender to win the division. Who knows how those rankings will play out with so many Covid outages, rescheduled games, etc. But if they're healthy, they'll be a tough out in the playoffs. I can't even figure out what you're arguing here....that we SHOULD extrapolate from the Winter Classic situation?

Im saying giving teams a free pass because they are missing one or two players while at the same time putting your own team on blast while they are dealing with worse injury issues is a double standard and has been happening all year in this fan base.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Im saying giving teams a free pass because they are missing one or two players while at the same time putting your own team on blast while they are dealing with worse injury issues is a double standard and has been happening all year in this fan base.

Well why don't you argue with someone that's doing that, then. I certainly haven't.

 

[Bluesfan54]

Its not about making excuses. Its simply about projecting how good Minnesota will be in a potential playoff series. The Winter Classic was not the Wild's best by a long shot.

I think it would be great if Minnesota and Colorado met in Round 1. Probably the best option for the Blues.

Personally, I really hope St Louis gets to play Vegas in the playoffs. I just want to see that series.

No!! I do not want to look at those awful helmets for seven straight games.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Im saying giving teams a free pass because they are missing one or two players while at the same time putting your own team on blast while they are dealing with worse injury issues is a double standard and has been happening all year in this fan base.

This is silly, First, nobody is giving them a free pass. I already said I didn't think they were contenders, but they are obviously not as bad as they looked without 3 of their top 4 players.

Second, when folks criticized Blues for playing like dogshit it was before the rash of injuries. We were bad. And then everyone got sick or hurt and we turned things around. And the reason we ripped on Blues is because we knew they could play much better than they were showing. And now they are.