GDB 63.0: FIRST PLACE BLUES AND PAAJARVI TO OKC.
Jason Gregor
February 29 2012 01:27PM
The St. Louis Blues are the best defensive team in hockey. They've allowed 126 goals in 63 games, but in 2012 they've been ridiculously stingy. The Blues are 18-5-2 in their 25 games this calender year. In the seven losses/OT games they surrendered 20 goals, but in their 18 wins they allowed a mind-blowing 20 goals.
Seriously, 20 goals against in 18 games. They've allowed 40 goals in their last 25.
The Oilers allowed 40 in their last 12 and they went 6-5-1. The Blues aren't flashy, and they don't score many goals, 22nd in GF, but they win A LOT.
Ken Hitchcock has convinced his young players to buy into his system, and it is working exceptionally well. But why did the players suddenly buy in? TJ Oshie explained what changed.
"Since I've been here this is the first time we've truly bought into the system. We did for stretches in the past, but never for this long. I think guys just got fed up with trying to do it on our own. Right now we are more about the team than individuals, and we've had success and it's been fun."
Ultimately it is up to the players if they are going to be successful. It helps when you have a coach with Hitchcock's knowledge, but even Hitchcock pointed out most of the success is because of the players. When he was hired, he had some lengthy chats with captain, David Backes, outlining what he expected from the players. "I feel the most important conversations in the dressing room happen after the coach is gone. The players need to be on the same page as one another, and they have to agree to play together," Hitchcock said when talking about why the Blues are having so much success.
The Blues forwards are big and strong, but Hitchcock doesn't allow them to run and gun. The Oilers have had much more success in games where they can free wheel, but they'd struggled mightily against tight-checking, defensive teams, and they recognize that has to change.
"Against teams that want to run and gun we seem very comfortable, said Shawn Horcoff. "Against team that are stingy defensively we try to create too much, and that results in some odd man rushes and other areas that we have struggled in this year. We need to learn how to play in those games, because those are the types of games, and those are the type of teams we are going to have to beat to get in the playoffs and be successful in the playoffs."
Tonight will be a great test for the Oilers to see if they have the discipline to make the Blues go 200 feet to create offence, rather than turn the puck over in the neutral zone or give up odd man rushes.
LINEUP
Magnus Paajarvi is going back to OKC. The Oilers want him to play down the stretch in OKC and into the playoffs. He wasn't going to get top-six minutes up here, so they obviously feel he'd be better served in the AHL.
Nick Schultz will be paired with Ryan Whitney, and Corey Potter will skate with Cam Barker. Devan Dubnyk gets the start.
Nikolai Khabibulin will be ready to play sometime this weekend, maybe as early as Friday.
Hall - Nugent-Hopkins - Hemsky
Smyth - Gagner - Eberle
Eager - Horcoff - Jones
Hordichuk - Belanger - Petrell
Smid - Petry
Whitney - Schultz
Barker - Potter
Dubnyk
QUICK HITS
- Brian Elliott might be the comeback player of the year. He is 20-7-2 with a mind-blowing 1.65 GAA and .937 SV% with the Blues. Last year he was arguably the worst NHL goalie with a .893 SV% and an ugly .3.33 GAA. I'm not sure anyone can explain his incredible turnaround, but he's having an excellent season.
- The Blues really miss Alex Steen, Matt D'Agostini and Kris Russell. All three are out with concussions, and their return dates are unknown. If they get those three back, the Blues could be very dangerous come playoff time.
- The Oilers' PP is first in the NHL at 21.8% and they are 3rd in PP goals with 48. Once this team learns to cut down on their EV goals against they should be very competitive.
GAME DAY PREDICTION: The Oilers are playing well, and they've got some confidence, but the Blues are a bad match up. I'll go against the grain and pick the Oilers to win 4-2.
OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: Eberle pots a pair and becomes the 8th 30-goal man in the NHL. Wanye instantly shaves his head and sends a box full of hair to Eberle.
NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: After spending all day yesterday saying they hate TSN, Oiler fans will be pumped to know that tonight's game will be shown right from the opening faceoff. Most won't realize that the NHL schedule maker is more at fault than TSN. They knew that TSN had a national exclusive deal on Wednesday nights yet they still scheduled the game in Edmonton. TSN shouldn't be taking flack on this, the NHL should.
Does any one know the method behind the madness of playing Smyth with Eberle and Gagner instead of B.Eager?
Thinking the same thing no offence to Smyth but he is way too slow to keep up with those guys and he sucks away their fast pace cycle.
need a goalie need a goalie need a goalie need a goalie. My therapist said that might help my stress levels. BIG NOPE
Oilers are done tonight. Not a chance the Blues lose a 2 goal lead. As soon as they get a lead at all never mind a two goal lead; they clog up the neutral zone and make it very difficult to attack. Also Halak is very very good. All in all, Oilers are screwed.
Keep crying bitch
How are the Oilers doing tonight against a real team?
We might get a chance to see B.Eager with the kids now.
I hate Dubby. Takes the wind out of the sails watching those.
Hahahaha of course the Oilers make a comeback after my previous comment. If the Oilers complete the comeback thank me, Oiler fans.
Flames are screwed for the next decade......now go back to your hole in flames nation!!!
Say what you want, but the Oilers are showing some good push-back against one of the strongest teams in the NHL. That 5 minute penalty kill on a bull-sh!t call (stay down with a wrist injury until they decide it's worth 5) was the turning point - along with a goalie change to wake up the team.
Third period shaping up to be worth the wait. I'm saying keep an eye on Eberle - Mr. Clutch - in the final frame.
Unlike your flames, the Oilers can actually go out and score ;)
Not a chance.
http://www.realtvsport.com/channel-6.php
I love when the feeds have the arena feed and you can listen to the announcers real views...
Set up Dubynicks crappy goal, who did hemsky lift the stick on? 27, yeah that looks like 27...
Hate him if you want, but it's the team in front that let all those chances happen. Sure, he didn't steal any goals away from the Blues, but Halak didn't face anything like that in the first 30 minutes.
Look at Elliot. His save % was below 900 last year, and he comes to a Hitchcock system team and suddenly he's the second coming of Vezina. Tough to figure that out, eh?
Barker's having a real weak game tonight and Dub looked off while he was in goal. I wonder if we'll see either of them next game...
If it wasn't for Barker it would be 2-1 for the Oilers and Dubnyk would still be in.
And Renney continues to put Barfer out there.hoping neither are back next year.
Just here to ruffle a few feathers. :)
The Flames aren't screwed for the next DECADE. They've got some young guys coming up such as Baertschi, Reinhart, Ferland, Arnold and Gaudreau. Now I know that's not much, and the Oilers have a lot more YOUNG talent than the Flames, but it's a start. Rebuild on the fly will be (hopefully) happening in Calgary starting at the draft, and I hope the Flames don't HAVE to do an Edmonton-esque rebuild and tear it all down. If they manage their assets well enough (I know, that's asking a lot), give the Flames 3-5 years and they'll be competitive again.
THAT IS UNLESS THE GREAT IGINLA LEADS THE FLAMES ON A CINDERELLA RUN INTO THE PLAYOFFS AND TO A CUP TITLE! (not happening)
Anyway, good luck out there boys.
Barker is only useful if you need a bottle of rum opened.
Barker is the Oilers' guarantee for a lottery pick.
It is time to play some Risk Factions.
Bet Tambo actually believes that is the same thing as trading Barker for a top 3 pick.
Once Eberle, Hall and RNH were put back together they lit it up!
I wonder if Barrett Jackman's parents are into cars?
How many points did they get together?
Some very soft plays and bad pinches by Barker but when a guy who hasn't scored in 15 G gets one on a soft slapper outside the circle Dubie has to realize that this team needs better. He's was way to deep in his net on the first two and then fought the puck on the next half dozen. He's getting a huge confidence problem.
Off topic but what does ON think about the Nystrom hit on Letang?He's obviously not a fan fav with Oilers after his Fedun incident and I bet he's suspended again. Biggest issue is that he makes no play for the puck but rather hits a player in a vulnerable position. Repeat offender to on a premiere player= 5-7G IMO
↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑
-Said the Oilers fan circa '06-'07
And this is kind of awesome....
Leafs fan on the Jumbotron at the game.
3-5 years? Isn't that what we're doing?
Also, I know Eberle is wicked, and has 61 pts, but....
I just wanted to note, that Taylor Hall has (a quiet?) 49 pts in 53 games with 23 goals.
Tyler Seguin has 48 pts in 60 games.
Just Sayin'...
Also, I know Eberle is wicked, and has 61 pts, but....
I just wanted to note, the Taylor Hall, has (a quiet?) 49 pts in 53 games with 23 goals.
Tyler Seguin has 48 pts in 60 games.
Just Sayin'...
first reply of the morning.Theo Peckham loves watching cam barker play.And to the fans behind me thanks for making me wish I was at home and there were kids all around to hear your colorful languge.
(by morning I mean after 6am)
Enough already! Last night was proof positive that current management and coaching will do nothing to avoid a top 5 pick this year. It amazes me that Katz's business acumen does not translate to hockey. I am sure if managers in his pharmaceutical empire performed this poorly,dismissal would be prompt.Time to switch to baseball again for the year.Oh, right none of that here either, Eskies! nope no Ricky. Going to be a long summer.
When Kiprusoff is done the Flames are screwed........
Team would be better off sitting Barker and throwing in one of the young guys for the rest of the season who might actually learn a little bit in the process.
Barker's defensive partner may want to put in for extra pay because they have to do twice as much on the ice to just hold the fort. Maybe Schultz can take Barker aside and give him a few pointers on positioning...
Dubnyk sucks,Barker sucks,Smyth and Horcoff are slow as molassis,i hope not to see any of them next year,lets take off our rose colored glasses and tell it like it is.
Baertschi is sorta like Rob Shremp, right?
Keep Barker in, Dubnyk did his part last night - stay in the lottery.
Like Shremp? Not even close to the skill Shremp has. I get to see Baertschi play all the time living here in Portland and he doesnt impress me at all. Glad he's flames property and not the Oil! He's all ready had a concusion this year. He's a decent WHL player but I just dont see a NHL future for him.