Chip McCleary: Games 6, Blues at Kings - Recap: Losing Still Sucks ... and for the 45th season, the Blues quest ends without a Cup.

I beg to differ on the no bad calls. There was at least 2 power plays the kings capitalized on bad calls...

Major props to the blues.

the blues are like one of the franchises that can never get over the stanley cup hump. from some memorable teams with hull, macinnis, pronger to now. 45 years is a long time to wait.

I beg to differ on the no bad calls. There was at least 2 power plays the kings capitalized on bad calls...
- cuethenoise

They only had 2 PP goals in the series - so you're essentially implying that both of them were on bad calls.

the blues are like one of the franchises that can never get over the stanley cup hump. from some memorable teams with hull, macinnis, pronger to now. 45 years is a long time to wait.
- wingz4life

I think they're close, that team is strong.. Any other team in the first round and I think they advance. Blues are going to get there, I'm nervous about potential future matchups already.


Great series!

They only had 2 PP goals in the series - so you're essentially implying that both of them were on bad calls.
- Chip McCleary

Yep exactly... Game 5 Jackmans penalty was hardly a trip. I'm trying to remember the other one...

Honestly I think it was just bad luck. This match up should have been in the Conference Finals and I think the Blues could have beaten any team in the east. You guys are just an amazing team. This had to be the best series of the first round.

Overall just congrats to this team for what they have done

Out of curiosity what do you guys think the blues need to do to improve?

Also from an Avs point of view, I would love to see Ian Cole in an avs jersey, do you think there would be a trade there?

I beg to differ on the no bad calls. There was at least 2 power plays the kings capitalized on bad calls...
- cuethenoise

Great series!! The difference was Quick and the experience The Kings have in the playoffs. Don't become bitter because of a couple of penalties. The Blues are one or two steps from being champions. You guys are great fans and have a great deal of class and have a team that will only get better.

Hitch.......

''What I'm going to tell them is it's not good enough,'' St. Louis coach Ken Hitchcock said. ''If you want to be a champion, it's not good enough. You can't allow the goalie to outwork you. If you want to be a champion, you're going to have to find a way. ... We took everything to the beach, but we didn't finish putting it in the water.''

Chip McCleary: Games 6, Blues at Kings - Recap: Losing Still Sucks
... and for the 45th season, the Blues quest ends without a Cup.
- Chip McCleary

Hats off to the Blues. That was as physical of a series as I can remember. There were lots of anxious moments during this series, but the Kings just found a way.

I was really impressed by Jaden Schwartz. That kid will be a stud. Everyone of your defensemen is solid. Elliot played well, but Quick was just a bit better. CPR line gave me heart failure every time they were out there. Steen proved he's an elite forward. Maybe add another forward or two and you'll be a cup contender. Good series. Lots of respect for the Blue note.

Out of curiosity what do you guys think the blues need to do to improve?
- Meeqsb

Offense. We have a bunch of guys with skill who just don't fit together; we have no real playmaker, we have no true scorer. It would also help if some of them (Berglund, Stewart) would play with consistency, and others (Perron) would play team-first hockey instead of getting selfish. We have guys who can score 25-30 goals, but they'll all combine for 8 goals one night and then struggle to score 8 goals in the next 6 games.

Also from an Avs point of view, I would love to see Ian Cole in an avs jersey, do you think there would be a trade there?
- Meeqsb

Figure out pieces involving Paul Stastny. Of the Avs players there, I think he's the most expendable / fills the needs the Blues have the best.

Yep exactly... Game 5 Jackmans penalty was hardly a trip. I'm trying to remember the other one...
- cuethenoise

It must have been less than momentous if you can't recall it.

Chip, props to you on your reporting of the series. Solid, solid stuff all along the way...here's to the Blues adding some pieces and giving you all some real success in 2014.

Offense. We have a bunch of guys with skill who just don't fit together; we have no real playmaker, we have no true scorer. It would also help if some of them (Berglund, Stewart) would play with consistency, and others (Perron) would play team-first hockey instead of getting selfish. We have guys who can score 25-30 goals, but they'll all combine for 8 goals one night and then struggle to score 8 goals in the next 6 games.


Figure out pieces involving Paul Stastny. Of the Avs players there, I think he's the most expendable / fills the needs the Blues have the best.
- Chip McCleary

Tarasenko will be your sniper for sure, the kid is a beast. I can see what you mean though.

As far as stastny goes that is an incredibly long and detailed argument as to how that would work so I'd rather avoid it.

Would you think an offensive prospect like Sgarbossa/ hishon and our 3rd this year( very high third, 62nd overall?) would do it for Cole. I am unsure what you think his trade value would be and what kind of player you are looking for.

great season, def didn't live up to expectations and blowing a 2-0 lead is never good. Future is bright in STL.

Had money on them, thought they would at least make it to round 2. Bouwmeester is a total waste. Hated him on Florida, still hate him. Softest player that never lived up to his full potential.

Dump McDonald and find a Jeff Carter type player and let me go back to hating your team next year. It scares me how much respect I have for your team. It's just not right lol.

the blues have a great future. I felt like I was watching a winning team in 3 of the 4 losses. The kings are a better match for the blackhawks.

soooo a mac , nichol, langenbrunner are all waiting on the platform?
Leopold can stay or go, i could care less.
Stewart and berglund are keepers until i hear what could possibly come our way. steen and jbo up after next year, so let's do this

Yep exactly... Game 5 Jackmans penalty was hardly a trip. I'm trying to remember the other one...
- cuethenoise

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

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

ohhhh, the delay of game penalty OFF the glass. i hope the kings make it to the cup this year

Congrats to the Blues and their fans on an absolute war of a series. Any one of the six games could have gone either way, and I have nothing but respect for your team.

Chip, you're a class act.

Props Blues fans, great team and effort. Could have gone either way. Repititious but, should have been for the Conf. finals. Kings have trouble With Chicagos speed, hoping for Ducks, then Sharks.

I'm really digging the classiness of the two fanbases in here right now. Kings fans are being modest and non-arrogant (some of the more recent cup winning fanbases seemed to turn up the arrogance BIG TIME the year following their win) and the St. Louis fans aren't trying to come up with excuses.

This was a close series, possibly the best series in the first round, and I think it would have been better for these teams to meet further in the playoffs. Every game was close, and every little momentum swing was huge.

LA is definitely still a big threat to win the cup, and I feel like St Louis is JUST on the verge of being a cup team.

hats off to the blues and kings for a great series... its what us fans love to see... physical play with goals sprinkled in with big saves... props to the blues ...