Randall Ritchey: Blues Battle Back, Lose 5-4 To Columbus The Blues battled hard the last two periods, but rough first period bites Blues in 5-4 loss.

I know its just preseason but this isn't a good trend...

Winning in camp is irrelevant. Coming out of preseason on a high note is relevant, and I think this is setting up for just that. I like the way Hitch has approached this. By Tuesday, we should see 3/4 of the Blues lineup on the ice and then 4/5, until we see the full squad for the last preseason game. It should lead the Blues straight into the big battle with the Rangers on the 9th.

Winning in camp is irrelevant. Coming out of preseason on a high note is relevant, and I think this is setting up for just that. I like the way Hitch has approached this. By Tuesday, we should see 3/4 of the Blues lineup on the ice and then 4/5, until we see the full squad for the last preseason game. It should lead the Blues straight into the big battle with the Rangers on the 9th.
- bluenoter

Yeah yeah but it is still nice to see some wins and your goalie not let in 4 goals in one period

Yeah yeah but it is still nice to see some wins and your goalie not let in 4 goals in one period
- cuethenoise

Did you watch the game? Elliott played well. I bet he wants one of the five goals back, the rest were completely on the team.

On at least two of the goals, he made extremely good first saves only to have the rebounds put in because the d coverage was non-existent.

For example, Letestu's goal was a bad turnover and coverage coupled with a phenomenal shot. He put it bar down. If you asked him to draw the spot on the goal as to where he wanted to put the puck, he hit that spot.

The only goal he probably wants back is the five hole goal.

I'll try and get a blog up tonight about my thoughts on the game but here is the short version -

Butler and Fraser - have fun in Chicago this year
Cole - might have been the best defenseman on the ice last night, at least overall
Lindstrom - have fun in St. Louis this year
Lindbohm and Barbashev - Put in the hard work and keep developing, the potential is there.
Backes - never fight in a meaningless preseason game unless someone has stepped way, way over the line
Tank and Lehtera - Glad to have you both on this side of the ocean
MPS - yin yang game
Oshie - the kid keeping you up at night and during the day or something?
Mueller - Are you Jason Allison reincarnated?

Did you watch the game? Elliott played well. I bet he wants one of the five goals back, the rest were completely on the team.

On at least two of the goals, he made extremely good first saves only to have the rebounds put in because the d coverage was non-existent.

For example, Letestu's goal was a bad turnover and coverage coupled with a phenomenal shot. He put it bar down. If you asked him to draw the spot on the goal as to where he wanted to put the puck, he hit that spot.

The only goal he probably wants back is the five hole goal.

I'll try and get a blog up tonight about my thoughts on the game but here is the short version -

Butler and Fraser - have fun in Chicago this year
Cole - might have been the best defenseman on the ice last night, at least overall
Lindstrom - have fun in St. Louis this year
Lindbohm and Barbashev - Put in the hard work and keep developing, the potential is there.
Backes - never fight in a meaningless preseason game unless someone has stepped way, way over the line
Tank and Lehtera - Glad to have you both on this side of the ocean
MPS - yin yang game
Oshie - the kid keeping you up at night and during the day or something?
Mueller - Are you Jason Allison reincarnated?
- stljam

No I didn't see the game, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully these save % do improve haha:

http://www.cbssports.com/...n-category-savepercentage

scroll all the way to page 3 to see Elliott, Lundstrom, and Allen... I know its preseason and they are playing in-front of crap D but man haha.

Looks like the Blues need to score 5 goals a game this year.......

No I didn't see the game, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully these save % do improve haha:

http://www.cbssports.com/...n-category-savepercentage

scroll all the way to page 3 to see Elliott, Lundstrom, and Allen... I know its preseason and they are playing in-front of crap D but man haha.
- cuethenoise

I'm not worried yet but I've felt for a while that the Blues D is at least a little overhyped, especially when it comes to how they play in their own end (actually defend).

Some telling things to look at when you are reviewing the box score - look at Mueller's ice time vs his linemates' time. Look at MPS ice time. Look at Fraser's ice time. Look at Lehtera's ice time.

The sky is falling if you lose all your preseason games you are done and over with

It takes a bit to get the rust off for one thing. Another thing is veterans use the preseason to also try different things. Kids play usually outside themselves trying to get attention.

It is no big deal.

But if you want a solver lining this team can seemingly score at will. I cannot say I have seen a recent game where the Blues go down deep in the first and come back.

Goalies are always slow in the preseason. I am usually worried if they do too well in the preseason.

They have plenty of time to figure stuff out and get ready for when the games really count in the spring.

It's only preseason sure.......... but a seven game losing streak is nothing to just poo poo about.

My biggest positive though was that the D actually seemed to stand up at the blue line and not let the Jackets just waltz into our zone.

The sky is falling if you lose all your preseason games you are done and over with

It takes a bit to get the rust off for one thing. Another thing is veterans use the preseason to also try different things. Kids play usually outside themselves trying to get attention.

It is no big deal.

But if you want a solver lining this team can seemingly score at will. I cannot say I have seen a recent game where the Blues go down deep in the first and come back.

Goalies are always slow in the preseason. I am usually worried if they do too well in the preseason.

They have plenty of time to figure stuff out and get ready for when the games really count in the spring.
- BluemanGuruu

I'm not saying the sky is falling I realize its preseason I'm just saying lets hope it doesn't continue

full regular season lineup is in then i would worry a little. there were some brightspots for the note.

a reckoning is coming October 25th for Seabrook and anyone else on the squawks. i think that game will set the tone for the BLUES season rest of the way.

still not sold on Elliot and Allen as the tandem going forward...

full regular season lineup is in then i would worry a little. there were some brightspots for the note.

a reckoning is coming October 25th for Seabrook and anyone else on the squawks. i think that game will set the tone for the BLUES season rest of the way.

still not sold on Elliot and Allen as the tandem going forward...
- bird diggler

I think you are going to be sorely disappointed other than maybe a Backes/Seabrook fight. Perhaps last night was practice for backes, lol.

I think you are going to be sorely disappointed other than maybe a Backes/Seabrook fight. Perhaps last night was practice for backs, lol.
- stljam

Yeah I think it will be a physical game, but I don't think there will be retaliation. There wasn't any in the playoff why would there be now?

Did you watch the game?

Backes - never fight in a meaningless preseason game unless someone has stepped way, way over the line

- stljam

Gotta disagree with you here. The fight was about waking his team up, showing the necessary effort instead of being embarrassed in your own building. I know it's a meaningless game, but fans paid to see effort. 5-1 (or 4-0, whatever the score was at the time of the fight) is not good enough.

He knows his job. He's the captain. He is responsible for setting the effort level. If giving and taking a few lumps gets the point across, he'll do it.

He was right to do it.

Gotta disagree with you here. The fight was about waking his team up, showing the necessary effort instead of being embarrassed in your own building. I know it's a meaningless game, but fans paid to see effort. 5-1 (or 4-0, whatever the score was at the time of the fight) is not good enough.

He knows his job. He's the captain. He is responsible for setting the effort level. If giving and taking a few lumps gets the point across, he'll do it.

He was right to do it.
- eggsegan

We'll never agree on this one. He needs to set effort and can do that through hustle, checks, etc. He doesn't and shouldn't be fighting in this scenario. Tell Beach to fight and know his role.

The concept you outline is nice but the risk of injury in a preseason game by having one of your more skilled guys fighting an ahl guy just isnt' worth it.

The sky is falling if you lose all your preseason games you are done and over with

It takes a bit to get the rust off for one thing. Another thing is veterans use the preseason to also try different things. Kids play usually outside themselves trying to get attention.

It is no big deal.

But if you want a solver lining this team can seemingly score at will. I cannot say I have seen a recent game where the Blues go down deep in the first and come back.

Goalies are always slow in the preseason. I am usually worried if they do too well in the preseason.

They have plenty of time to figure stuff out and get ready for when the games really count in the spring.
- BluemanGuruu

Question for you. Please answer honestly.

Would you say the same thing if it were Halak in net?

I don't think the sky is falling. I am worried about the goaltending, but that was the case before preseason started. So far, both Elliott and Allen haven't done anything to make me feel better about it.

We'll never agree on this one. He needs to set effort and can do that through hustle, checks, etc. He doesn't and shouldn't be fighting in this scenario. Tell Beach to fight and know his role.

The concept you outline is nice but the risk of injury in a preseason game by having one of your more skilled guys fighting an ahl guy just isnt' worth it.
- stljam

Backes shouldn't fight in a preseason game. Probably the only situation that would be the exception would be someone recklessly running around and injuring someone. But even then, it probably should be someone else unless Backes is on the ice at the time and the fight happens right away.

Sounds like Lindbohm is really turning some heads. Too bad he shoots left, although he could make it easier to replace Leopold or Jackman in the near future.

Looks like Lindstrom is also way up on the depth chart ahead of both Mueller and Paajarvi.

Sounds like Lindbohm is really turning some heads. Too bad he shoots left, although he could make it easier to replace Leopold or Jackman in the near future.

Looks like Lindstrom is also way up on the depth chart ahead of both Mueller and Paajarvi.
- fattyboubatty

Lindstrom looked really good the day that I was down watching practice. Honestly, I will be surprised if he doesn't make the team now, and not only make the team but have a regular spot. (not an extra)

We'll never agree on this one. He needs to set effort and can do that through hustle, checks, etc. He doesn't and shouldn't be fighting in this scenario. Tell Beach to fight and know his role.

The concept you outline is nice but the risk of injury in a preseason game by having one of your more skilled guys fighting an ahl guy just isnt' worth it.
- stljam

If they win the Stanley Cup this year, will you & Carcus recant? When the captain of my team makes a decision, I back him up.

its only preseason, nothing to worry about. some of the regs were playing their first game. not really worried about the regular season because we have been great defensively the last few years, PLAYOFFS are when we suck. The offense will get there and almost coming back is a good sign. I remember when we would just fold after the first down 4-1. have not seen the team so far, so I don't know who is playing good or not. I will be there on the 9th in 310 and before hand at the pre party. Backes stated they left Elliot out to dry.........was not there. I have confidence in Elliot to carry the odd workload the Blues give him. some nights under 20 shots, some close to 40. He is more than capable of keeping us in games and might steal some games for us. Allen will get his chance to learn the league and possibly shine.

Can army just give Schwartz his money already. the longer he is out of camp the longer it will take for him to find chemistry with a new center.

If they win the Stanley Cup this year, will you & Carcus recant? When the captain of my team makes a decision, I back him up.
- eggsegan

Lets ask THIS question, WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE THE TEAM CAPTAIN???

Steen is an obvious choice, he does not have the longevity with the Blues and he cannot stay healthy. Great player and I have heard from guys that go to practice he is more vocal on the ice. But a player with his injury history....... Backes normally is a 75-82 game player.

I stand behind Backes. He is the heart and soul right now of our Blues

Yeah I think it will be a physical game, but I don't think there will be retaliation. There wasn't any in the playoff why would there be now?
- cuethenoise

Because it was a play off game. Taking any penalties can cost you the game and the series.

So why not in the last game? Because that would be asking for a big time suspension.

Maybe it won't be a fight. Maybe Backes will come in high on a forecheck. Or maybe someone else will go for someone like Kane. This is hockey, retribution is coming. .... I hope....

Sounds like Lindbohm is really turning some heads. Too bad he shoots left, although he could make it easier to replace Leopold or Jackman in the near future.

Looks like Lindstrom is also way up on the depth chart ahead of both Mueller and Paajarvi.
- fattyboubatty

One can dream of a day without Jackman. Might actually win something then.