Hey let's not play each other next year, I don't think I can take another series like this one.. This is one of the best series I've seen in years. And it sucks to have a loser in it, And it was real close. So close it could have just as well gone the other way..

My voice is gone and this series has worn me out. Not to mention that 56" TV broken from Game 1

If the Blues can keep this team together, I don't think they are to far off from a Cup...

A ton of respect for the Blues!!! You guys are a piece away from going all the way!!! A great series I think I had few minor heart attack during the series!!! But it was extremyly exciting and didn't expect any less, we weathered the storm and had some luck on our side GOKINGSGO!!!!

Here's to next year, let's make it the WCF instead though... GREAT series guys, this one was a nail biter beginning to end. I really like what I saw. And you're 4th line. Just, wow.

A 5 on 3 after a highstick and a delay of game with the puck over the glass.
- bluecoconuts

Yes that was the bad call!

A 5 on 3 after a highstick and a delay of game with the puck over the glass.
- bluecoconuts

Yes that was the bad call!

Can't say I'm not disappointed, but on the other hand they certainly didn't roll over against the defending champs. Great series.

My pre-season (lockout) prediction was NYR beat STL in the final. Not looking too good on either team right now and I hate to admit I was quite doubtful once I saw the first round match up. Mostly because I didn't think the Blues had the goal tending or consistent offense to beat Quick over 7 games. The guy is just outstanding.

Congrats to the Kings and their fans for showing why they're the champs and not bowing out early like many defending champs do. No Stanley Cup hangover in LA, that's for sure. And also, congrats on showing major class and not being sore winners. Best of luck in the coming round(s).

I was at the game. Blues fans should be proud, but do not blame the series loss on officiating. Experience, plus Jonathan Quick, are why the Kings are advancing. This was the opening round match up I was most worried about.

On another note, there were several loud and proud Blues fans in our section, but everyone got along, and we shook hands after the game. No issues.

First thought is, I'd love to see Berglund, Perron and Stewart wearing different uniforms next season. '

No reason to bring back McDonald, Russell, Nichol or Langenbrunner. Russell's expendibility is based on my assumption they keep Leopold. Good thing he didn't suit up this series - the way the Kings forecheck teed off on the Blues D the last games he might not have made it out alive.

Goaltending is still a strength overall, despite what happened this year. And I think we found out Allen probably has a future as at least a capable NHL goaltender with room to grow based on how much work he puts in and how much the Blues work on fixing the bad pinches.

More than a true sniper, I think the Blues need a playmaker. Berglund was supposed to be that but he is not - he's not first line material.

I think Mike Richards said it best. Getting out of this series or more of a relief. The Blues out played the Kings a majority of the series. Experience and a big pile of luck is what pulled us through.

The Blues are a tough team to play against. They play the style that wins championships. Through experience and another goal scorer, they are gonna be tougher to play against.

I don't wanna have to face them next year!

Great series, and the final minutes were always stressful knowing the game could still go either way. I was never confident the Kings were going to get beyond the Blues at any point. I've never seen such a close series before. Props to the Blues!

What a great series. Thought the Kings were out played. The Blues have something special going on there. Was the last team I wanted the Kings to face this year. And was anyone else frustrated watching Cracknell dominate the Kings?

From a fan of another team this was absolutely the best series to watch and I'm sorry it's over. Thanks for the entertainment.
I was pulling for Hitch and you guys.

and if (when) you get Chicago in the conference finals, do us a favor and beat the hell out of them every chance you get, knock them out of the playoffs too, and go to the Finals and make everyone in the West proud again.

Wow! Classy statement. Wishing injury and loss on a team just because they are a rival. Very Canuck like of you.

As if this Hawks roster ever trash talks or hits much - certainly doesn't cheap shot. Some of the bloggers/trolls may but not the team.

Blues should be getting worse this OS. Another year in Hitch's system will not wear well with this roster. Tarasenko, Schwarz aren't going to buy in long term. Turmoil coming.

Will the FO use some of that space to grab an amnestied player? Maybe 1 for publicity but we know even the new regime isn't spending to the cap - even if they say they will. No margins in it.

Shattenkirk and Pietrangelo offer sheets coming? Will they match? How much will those 2 limit other plans?

Great series ! kings were absolutely out played, for a majority of the time in each game, things just went our way a bit when we did rally but it really could have gone either way. The blues have a great organization, the fans were absolutely nuts at the blues home games... Great blogs Chip, you are a classy dude, much respect to the Blues and everyone and everything in proximity of the team. Thanks for exposing Jake Muzyn as not being play-off ready, clearly him and Martinez need to be addressed moving forward, weak play off the puck and sloppy with the puck at times... that kind of play won't get us through the next round, damn I miss mitchell and greener

Major props to the Blues. You guys have a great team that is poised to compete for several years. To my eyes, the top three teams in the west are the Blues, Kings and Blackhawks (in no specific order). The first round loss sucks, but don't let it mask how good you guys really are...

Better resign Petro before the Flyers steal him.

Blues are where the Kings were a few years ago. Need 1 more piece.

Steen is awesome

Wow! Classy statement. Wishing injury and loss on a team just because they are a rival. Very Canuck like of you.
- tredbrta

Suck it up, buttercup. I didn't wish injury on the Hawks, I just said I want the Kings to play them every bit as physical as you did us in this series.

As if this Hawks roster ever trash talks or hits much - certainly doesn't cheap shot. Some of the bloggers/trolls may but not the team.
- tredbrta

Just checked again ... we're in the same division - just like we've been for 40+ years now. That qualifies Chicago for being a hated rival.

Blues should be getting worse this OS. Another year in Hitch's system will not wear well with this roster. Tarasenko, Schwarz aren't going to buy in long term. Turmoil coming.
- tredbrta

Hitch isn't the problem. Guys loafing around at times is - though I'd argue it goes way on back to basic player development, which has by and large been lacking for 10+ years in this organization.

Shattenkirk and Pietrangelo offer sheets coming? Will they match? How much will those 2 limit other plans?
- tredbrta

This kind of talk occurs every year, and the number of offer sheets that actually gets lobbed out if dramatically smaller. With a cap sitting at $64.3 million, any team that's already cap-constrained and lobs out an offer sheet is begging to get stuck in Cap Hell.

Suck it up, buttercup. I didn't wish injury on the Hawks, I just said I want the Kings to play them every bit as physical as you did us in this series.


Just checked again ... we're in the same division - just like we've been for 40+ years now. That qualifies Chicago for being a hated rival.


Hitch isn't the problem. Guys loafing around at times is - though I'd argue it goes way on back to basic player development, which has by and large been lacking for 10+ years in this organization.


This kind of talk occurs every year, and the number of offer sheets that actually gets lobbed out if dramatically smaller. With a cap sitting at $64.3 million, any team that's already cap-constrained and lobs out an offer sheet is begging to get stuck in Cap Hell.
- Chip McCleary

Good points. Not really on the attack - I just think "hatred" should be reserved for dirty play and teams that make that their "style" (Canucks). Probably an overreaction on my part.

I see Hitch as a little like Keenan - with just a slightly longer shelf life. Players like Tarasenko/Schwarz are going to loaf - and I doubt Hitch will adjust - which coaches have to do in the new NHL (can't threaten to bury players in the minors anymore). When that happens the locker room implodes. Maybe your goal tending will carry Hitch thru. We will see.

I think one or maybe 2 of your primary RFAs will be allowed to walk this OS.... and that will hurt. The FO went all in at the trade deadline but this exit may mean time to shed salary... Of course, they may just double down. Then next year will be very interesting.

Cheered for the Kings in the SCF last year, and have always had a soft spot for the Blues.

To see how these two franchises have turned their teams around since the mid-2000s is remarkable. Some of the hardest working players in the league inhabit these two rosters.

I guess with the Blues out, I'll have to cheer for the Kings.

It's too bad that wasn't the WCF- it was one of the best playoff series' I've witnessed in years.

Good points. Not really on the attack - I just think "hatred" should be reserved for dirty play and teams that make that their "style" (Canucks). Probably an overreaction on my part.
- tredbrta

Hate? The Red Wings probably fall into that group much more than the Blackhawks.

I see Hitch as a little like Keenan - with just a slightly longer shelf life. Players like Tarasenko/Schwarz are going to loaf - and I doubt Hitch will adjust - which coaches have to do in the new NHL (can't threaten to bury players in the minors anymore). When that happens the locker room implodes. Maybe your goal tending will carry Hitch thru. We will see.
- tredbrta

I think we saw in this series that there's no loafing in Jaden Schwartz. Other guys? Well, ...

AFA the locker room - any issues that exist where there well before Hitchcock came aboard. Certainly, even right now it's nothing like when the locker room split in December, 2003 and Quenneville basically threw up his hands and said "whatever, not my problem."

I think one or maybe 2 of your primary RFAs will be allowed to walk this OS.... and that will hurt. The FO went all in at the trade deadline but this exit may mean time to shed salary... Of course, they may just double down. Then next year will be very interesting.
- tredbrta

Depends on who's walking. There's only 8 guys who are RFA, and really it's 4 key pieces of this team. If we're talking Pietrangelo, yeah - that's going to hurt. If we're talking Cole, ... total non-issue. If it's a guy like Berglund, ... well, that's going to hurt only if he finally break out into that 60-point, 2-way center who can dominate the ice.

Hate? The Red Wings probably fall into that group much more than the Blackhawks.


I think we saw in this series that there's no loafing in Jaden Schwartz. Other guys? Well, ...

AFA the locker room - any issues that exist where there well before Hitchcock came aboard. Certainly, even right now it's nothing like when the locker room split in December, 2003 and Quenneville basically threw up his hands and said "whatever, not my problem."
- Chip McCleary

So, what is your point. You hate the Wings more than the Hawks? You seem to hate a lot of teams. Most are still in the playoffs as well.

Schwartz did have a good series. He will probably see the dog house again - everyone does with Hitch except his 2-3 suckups.

Quennville apparently learned his lesson. Hard to tell if Hitch will - older and more set in his ways. Q's issues now seem to be more with FO splits anyways.

Your FAs - I see Shattenkirk and Pietrangelo as the keys. Maybe Stewart.... because PFs carry a premium always but he seems to take long stretches off now and then. Sometimes even seasons.

1. Try to get your quote tags right; it makes it easier for me and everyone else to read what you have to say when you do that.

2. You should probably ask me which teams currently in the playoffs I hate; that way, you don't look foolish trying to pretend you know what I'm thinking when we both know you have absolutely no idea.

3. I'm glad you pretty much agree with me that the importance of keeping our RFA's depends on exactly who we're talking about. As such, I'm not that concerned on May 11; come back in about 4-6 weeks and ask again. Who knows, by then we may have sorted some of those questions out and suddenly the dire predictions of the Blues getting shafted by other teams magically turns into ZOMG, I DIDN'T THINK THEY'D PULL IT OFF - HOW DID THEY DO IT? You know, kind of like what happens every year when people talk about teams being over or under the cap and wonder, "how will they get over/under?" and magically, they all manage to do it.

1. Try to get your quote tags right; it makes it easier for me and everyone else to read what you have to say when you do that.

2. You should probably ask me which teams currently in the playoffs I hate; that way, you don't look foolish trying to pretend you know what I'm thinking when we both know you have absolutely no idea.

3. I'm glad you pretty much agree with me that the importance of keeping our RFA's depends on exactly who we're talking about. As such, I'm not that concerned on May 11; come back in about 4-6 weeks and ask again. Who knows, by then we may have sorted some of those questions out and suddenly the dire predictions of the Blues getting shafted by other teams magically turns into ZOMG, I DIDN'T THINK THEY'D PULL IT OFF - HOW DID THEY DO IT? You know, kind of like what happens every year when people talk about teams being over or under the cap and wonder, "how will they get over/under?" and magically, they all manage to do it.
- Chip McCleary

Golly Chip. Sometimes quote tags get misplaced - deal with it.

You seem a bit surly so I will end it here. Perhaps you and Esplin should hug it out? Take consolation - at least your team showed up.

I don't hate Elliott. I just realize that he is not a goalie that this current Blues team can have in goal and go deep in the playoffs.I already knew that before this series.

I wish we could have seen Halak against the Kings to know if he is a guy that can take this current team deep. He got hurt last year early, and this year didn't get a chance. Personally, I think that was a mistake. With the way we played, if we had Halak in net IMO we win this series.

I think Hitch had the perfect opportunity to put him in for game 5, and blew it.

Now, we have to make a decision on goaltending without really knowing if Halak can be the guy to take these Blues deep. I trust Armstrong, but this offseason really scares me.

Chip McCleary: "and if (when) you get Chicago in the conference finals, do us a favor and beat the hell out of them every chance you get, knock them out of the playoffs too, and go to the Finals and make everyone in the West proud again.".
- Chip McCleary

... Hawks fans must be eating you alive in Madison, hang in there!!