Over the course of the last two weeks and change the St. Louis Blues have generally had the upper hand in determining outcomes. Taking eight of 12 points in the six games played in that time span. Not too shabby, but not as good as their first six games to start the season where they went 5-1.
The down turn in results, albeit it a predictable one based on the difficulty in sustaining an 83% of points earned rate over a prolonged period of time, may have caused Ken Hitchcock to rethink his lineup.
Reports out of the Blues’ practice on Monday morning indicate a flip-flop of right wingers has occurred.
Chris Stewart was skating on with Alexander Steen and David Backes while TJ Oshie shifted down to the Vladimir Sobotka line.
At first glance the idea seems a bit of an over correction. Yes, the Backes line had its least effective outing of the young season Saturday in Tampa. However, it’s been one of the strongest two-way trios in the NHL. Consistently facing the best players the other coach can throw over the boards, containing them, and producing at a point a game pace. They’ve been used heavily and it may have finally caught up with them one night in Florida against a potent opponent. For those who favor keeping lines together through thick and thin, it’s not a welcomed move.
Yet, there is a method to the madness.
Although Stewart has stepped up his game and looks more like the forward Doug Armstrong thought he was getting in the Erik Johnson deal, the former Avs 1st round pick hasn’t consistently had the goals and points to follow. On both a game by game and season to season basis. Right or wrong, that is how someone in his position will be ultimately judged. One goal and four points in 12 games isn’t going to cut it for someone projected to be a 40 goal scorer.
If he cannot make things happen and impact the score sheet in a positive way, he’s not worth the bloated amount of his future paycheck driven by open market value.
Getting Stewart on a line with Backes and Steen will hopefully drag him back towards the good habits that lead to routinely scoring goals and racking up points. It will also test how extensive his level of buy-in is to the system in place. Personal feelings be what they may the Blues certainly value adherence to the team’s code. If Stewart doesn’t have enough of it to keep up with the two that have the most of it, then his presence in the long term picture of the franchise begins to fade.
Stewart may have a two year deal, but complacency with the status quo is something the Blues will maintain for only so long. The yo-yo nature of his ability to impact the outcome of a game won’t lead to a long term commitment.
The likelihood of a major event, ie: trade, further reshaping the lineup coming soon isn’t likely. When the time does come the Blues need to make an informed decision. They won’t know what they have unless the give the player diverse opportunity. Not to say Stewart hasn’t had his chances. He has. Just another round of tests to collect the necessary data.
This could also be a change that doesn’t last long. With the Blues ahead on the scoreboard it wouldn’t be a big surprise to see Oshie reunited with Steen and Backes to protect a lead. It will be interesting to watch how Oshie produces offensively while partnered with Derek Roy and Sobotka. Could drive his goal total up if the switch works out.
Quick Hits
-- Another bit of big news to come out of practice is that Jaroslav Halak will start Tuesday in Montreal and Brian Elliott will get the nod Thursday back in St. Louis against Calgary. In Halak’s return to hockey’s Mecca back on January 10th, 2013 he stopped all 19 shots he faced in a 3-0 victory. As he left the ice the Canadiens faifth celebrated their 2010 playoff hero with a standing ovation.
-- Injured winger Brenden Morrow did not rejoin the Blues in Montreal. An upper body injury will keep him out of the lineup a little longer. There isn’t a reason to rush him back when the game Tuesday wraps up the road trip, Chris Porter is already with the team, and Morrow can rest till Thursday.
-- The Blues’ new AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, split a double dip against Olkahoma City this past weekend. They won the first game 6-0, but lost the second 4-2. Prospect forward Ty Rattie racked up three points (2g, 1a) in the win. Jake Allen stopped all 21 shots he faced. Rattie had one of the goals in the loss and Allen stopped 29 of 33 shots faced. Rattie now has four goals and five points in 11 games.
Dmitrij Jaskin has two points in three games. He is out due to an upper body injury sustained in early October.
he logjam of personnel has forced quality players out of the lineup. Goalie Jordan Binnington and defenseman Cade Fairchild, who is recovering from an injury, have been sent to Kalamazoo of the ECHL to get playing time. Porter is on a one way deal and only appeared in seven games due to the rotation needed to work in veteran players.
Dave Shields, the Blues’ 5th round pick in 2009 (168th overall) has had a solid start to the current campaign. The right handed shooting defenseman has two goals and five points in 11 games.
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Please check out
my column over at St. Louis Game Time. My latest looks at the subtle shifts in personnel made that are making big differences.
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