GDT: St. Louis Blues vs. Vancouver Canucks -- Game 1| 9:30 CT | NBCSN, FSMW |

[The Note]

2019-20 Regular Season
Blues: 71 GP, 42-19-10, 94 points (1st in Western, 1st in Central)
Canucks: 69 GP, 36-27-6, 78 points (7th in West, 3rd in Pacific)

Head-to-Head
Oct. 17, 2019: Canucks 4, Blues 3 (SO)
Nov. 5, 2019: Blues 2, Canucks 1 (OT)
Jan. 27, 2020: Canucks 3, Blues 1



*Projected lineups -- the 4th line is a best guess with Barbashev on paternity and Blais TBD*

Sanford-O'Reilly-Perron
Schwartz-Schenn-Tarasenko
Steen-Thomas-Bozak
MacEachern-Sundqvist-Brouwer

Gunnarsson-Pietrangelo
Scandella-Parayko
Dunn-Faulk

Binnington

VS.



Miller-Pettersson-Boeser
Pearson-Horvat-Eriksson
Roussel-Sutter-Virtanen
Motte-Beagle-MaCewen

Hughes-Tanev
Edler-Stecher
Juolevi-Myers

Markstrom

​

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[jura]

here we go!

kinda like the late stars.. it's 4:30 am now #pooreastcoastfans

 

[Note Worthy]

Amazing use of AC/DC there. A+.

I don't know if we ever did decide to do playoff avatars but "Flick the Switch" would be a great one now.

 

[TheDizee]

would be nice to see a win

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

I think you’re right about the players, but I think Brouwer might actually get put directly into Blais’ spot. In the actual game, Sundqvist and other players would take some of those shifts.

 

[BlueDream]

Toffoli not playing is fairly significant for them as he’s one of their better depth pieces.

If the ROR + Parayko units can keep the Pettersson line in check, our depth has a huge advantage over them. Our lines 2-4 are way better than theirs and guys like Tarasenko, Schwartz and Thomas could feast.

Obviously containing Pettersson and co. is easier said than done though so it’ll be a challenge.

I’m expecting the Blues to be thoroughly outplayed for the first 5 minutes until they get their legs under them and fight back.

 

[Davimir Tarablad]

I just want to see a good effort tonight

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

Saw that Berube was talking about moving Thomas up to the top six.

Guessing our forward lines will be:

Schwartz-O’Reilly-Perron
Schenn-Thomas-Tarasenko
Sanford-Bozak-Brouwer/Kyrou
MacEachern-Sundqvist-Steen

I expect Brouwer to be in that 3RW spot, but I’d prefer Kyrou due to his speed.

 

[Beauterham]

Saw that Berube was talking about moving Thomas up to the top six.

Guessing our forward lines will be:

Schwartz-O’Reilly-Perron
Schenn-Thomas-Tarasenko
Sanford-Bozak-Brouwer/Kyrou
MacEachern-Sundqvist-Steen

I expect Brouwer to be in that 3RW spot, but I’d prefer Kyrou due to his speed.

Just wondering, where did he say that?

I do like your lines, really like to see Thomas on a line with Tarasenko. And I agree with Kyrou on that 3rd line if Thomas doesn't play there... That line needs a playmaker and Brouwer... well... isn't one.

 

[Blanick]

Saw that Berube was talking about moving Thomas up to the top six.

Guessing our forward lines will be:

Schwartz-O’Reilly-Perron
Schenn-Thomas-Tarasenko
Sanford-Bozak-Brouwer/Kyrou
MacEachern-Sundqvist-Steen

I expect Brouwer to be in that 3RW spot, but I’d prefer Kyrou due to his speed.

Where did you see this? I don't mind the lines.

 

[TheGoldenGod]

I just want to see a good effort tonight

Just one of those perfect movies everyone has seen hundreds of times

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

Just wondering, where did he say that?

I do like your lines, really like to see Thomas on a line with Tarasenko. And I agree with Kyrou on that 3rd line if Thomas doesn't play there... That line needs a playmaker and Brouwer... well... isn't one.

Where did you see this? I don't mind the lines.

Jeremy Rutherford tweeted about it yesterday or the day before. Apparently the coaches have been talking about it, and he definitely deserves to be there.

Also agreed on the Sanford-Bozak line needing a playmaker, even though Bozie isn’t too bad at it himself.

 

[mk80]

Hello Vancouver. Welcome to the playoffs. Markstrom might want to stock up on some extra sticks.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Jeremy Rutherford tweeted about it yesterday or the day before. Apparently the coaches have been talking about it, and he definitely deserves to be there.

Also agreed on the Sanford-Bozak line needing a playmaker, even though Bozie isn’t too bad at it himself.

Sounded more like an option if needed than plan going in. I expect Thomas to start on 3rd line.

 

[mk80]

Here's what the Blues projected lines are, although it doesn't say who will fill the Blais spot.

Projected Lineup: Game 1 vs. Vancouver

 

[Blanick]

Jeremy Rutherford tweeted about it yesterday or the day before. Apparently the coaches have been talking about it, and he definitely deserves to be there.

Also agreed on the Sanford-Bozak line needing a playmaker, even though Bozie isn’t too bad at it himself.

Yeah I remember the quote about Thomas in the top 6 but I agree with Blueston that it was more than likely an option to shake things up if needed. I fully expect the lineup to be similar to what we saw in the play in. Also, I know some people won't be happy about it but Brouwer actually played well in the round robin and with Barby and possibly Blais both out I have no problem with him slotting in for a game or two, maybe sharing time with Kyrou.

 

[Blanick]

Here's what the Blues projected lines are, although it doesn't say who will fill the Blais spot.

Projected Lineup: Game 1 vs. Vancouver

It hasn't been confirmed yet that Blais will be unavailable. There is a chance he could play. If he doesn't my gut says that spot will go to Steen and Brouwer will replace Steen on the 4th.

 

[ort]

It seems to me that spreading out our depth would be a good counter to the more top heavy Vancouver. We need a shut down line for their top line and then we need to spread our scoring out so we can come in waves.

I don't think we're getting Barbachev back until like game 4 I think. He will definitely be missed.

 

[Blanick]

It seems to me that spreading out our depth would be a good counter to the more top heavy Vancouver. We need a shut down line for their top line and then we need to spread our scoring out so we can come in waves.

I don't think we're getting Barbachev back until like game 4 I think. He will definitely be missed.

My guess is that Berube will try to match O'Reilly against Vancouver's top line most of time.

 

[BlueDream]

It hasn't been confirmed yet that Blais will be unavailable. There is a chance he could play. If he doesn't my gut says that spot will go to Steen and Brouwer will replace Steen on the 4th.

They should sit him.

Blais really isn’t that good aside from his hitting. So if he’s not 100%, he’s not going to be an asset. Keep him out until at least game 2 when he might be ready.

I do hope to see Kyrou get in tonight. I don’t expect it, but we will have plenty of games to play our grinders if he sucks. Let’s give him a shot and see what he can do.

 

[RR10]

They should sit him.

Blais really isn’t that good aside from his hitting. So if he’s not 100%, he’s not going to be an asset. Keep him out until at least game 2 when he might be ready.

I do hope to see Kyrou get in tonight. I don’t expect it, but we will have plenty of games to play our grinders if he sucks. Let’s give him a shot and see what he can do.

Blais is far better than the alternative, Brouwer. And he´s one of the few fast guys so we need him.

 

[Blanick]

They should sit him.

Blais really isn’t that good aside from his hitting. So if he’s not 100%, he’s not going to be an asset. Keep him out until at least game 2 when he might be ready.

I do hope to see Kyrou get in tonight. I don’t expect it, but we will have plenty of games to play our grinders if he sucks. Let’s give him a shot and see what he can do.

I tend to agree. I like Blais and think he plays style that can be effective but have never understood our coaching staffs reasoning for shoehorning him into a top 6 role. Ideally I think he would be a great addition to that 4th line when Steen retires.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I tend to agree. I like Blais and think he plays style that can be effective but have never understood our coaching staffs reasoning for shoehorning him into a top 6 role. Ideally I think he would be a great addition to that 4th line when Steen retires.

Barbie and Blais both bring nice skill level with heavy physical play. Too bad neither thinks game at a level to be able to effectively play in top 6 on consistent basis.

 

[Stlblue50]

It seems to me that spreading out our depth would be a good counter to the more top heavy Vancouver. We need a shut down line for their top line and then we need to spread our scoring out so we can come in waves.

I don't think we're getting Barbachev back until like game 4 I think. He will definitely be missed.

There is no question Thomas deserves a top 6 role but I assume they’ve kept him down for depth in the bottom 6.

I would try him on the first line. I suppose they could move Sanford down but I like that 2nd line and Sanford always looks lost without ROR/DP57

 

[mk80]

They should sit him.

Blais really isn’t that good aside from his hitting. So if he’s not 100%, he’s not going to be an asset. Keep him out until at least game 2 when he might be ready.

I do hope to see Kyrou get in tonight. I don’t expect it, but we will have plenty of games to play our grinders if he sucks. Let’s give him a shot and see what he can do.

I personally thought Kyrou was alright in the Vegas game. His first ever "playoff" game so it wasn't perfect, but I certainly don't think he hurt us much.