|
David Backes Returns For Game Five - Hawks @ Blues GDT |
|
|
|
|
|
BREAKING - BLUES CAPTAIN DAVID BACKES WILL PLAY IN GAME FIVE
The St. Louis Blues return home tonight for game five of this first round series against their central division rival, the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Blues took the first two games at home with come from behind, overtime victories. In game two, the Blues suffered the loss of their captain, David Backes, to a dirty hit from Hawks defender Brent Seabrook.
Backes is not just a leader, but he's an offensive player, and his absence was evident in game three. The Blues were shutout, and the Hawks got the winner on a softy from Jonathan Toews.
Game four was a different story. The Blues were outplayed by the Hawks for the first portion of the game. The Hawks took a two goal lead and it looked like the Blues offense would once again come up short. Up until Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko rifled a shot past Corey Crawford.
The Blues offense had a pulse again, and then they shocked the Hawks before the end of the second period.
Max Lapierre tied the game with just over three seconds left in the period. Just like that, the Blues had momentum.
Tarasenko would strike again in the third to give the Blues the lead. With time running down, Brian Bickell would tie the game, then the Hawks would eventually win it on a Patrick Kane goal.
Home ice has been key in this series, and with how close the games have been in all four games, there is no doubt that game five will be any different. The line ups for both teams are expected to stay the same. However the lines for the Blues are looking a little different. Especially the top two lines. Here are the updated line ups;
Alexander Steen - Vladimir Sobotka - Vladimir Tarasenko
Jaden Schwartz - Derek Roy - T.J. Oshie
Steve Ott - Patrik Berglund - Adam Cracknell
Chris Porter - Maxim Lapierre - Ryan Reaves
The defense will remain the same for the Blues in game five. The top line for the Blues packs an offensive punch, but there are other options the Blues could use. For instance, getting Derek Roy out of the top six. There is a reason his stat line is looks atrocious. Like the majority of the season, his offensive game has been suspect, and his defensive ability is a huge flaw.
With the way the bottom six has played, taking Ryan Reaves out of the line up might not be a bad option. He's been rather invisible, and really hasn't played a physical game. Chris Porter, Max Lapierre, and Adam Cracknell have played that role to perfection.
With the game just hours away, this is a game the Blues must win. Losing in Chicago isn't the worst thing in the world. Winning your home games are the most important aspect to these playoffs for the Blues. If the Blues can win their home games in this series, then that will lead to a series win. That is the biggest key for the Blues in the remainder of this series.
In other news, the Blues have sent forward Dmitrij Jaškin back to the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League
St Louis Blues Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»