Most of that stuff is just frustration boiling over when you're losing. If anything I would say that the Blues have not been physical enough and trying to rely too much on skill. For all the talk of the Blues being the big physical team, the hits are even and I've barely noticed our fourth line which should be a big part of our identity.
- fattyboubatty

I would agree with that take. I as well as most thought the Blues would come out guns blazing from the start of game one.

And I don't disagree the Blues players were frustrated by the end of the game, but the petty after whistle thuggery was going on from the start. I get the plan of trying to get into the players heads and all that stuff and that's fine, a lot of teams employ those methods throughout the year and especially in the playoffs. I personally happen to believe teams like the Hawks, Wild and Blues don't need to because they have ample skill in their line up to play straight up hockey.

But that's just my opinion which I'm sure most Blues fans differ from.

I'm not a hockey purist by any means, I like to see hockey, not intimidation tactics and all ice a scrums after every whistle. But again, that's just one fans opinion...

The Blues, they way they are built can only play by utilizing both their skill and physical play. When one element is missing, they lose, deservedly so.

They cannot match the speed and skill of a team like Minnesota or Chicago if they play on skill alone and try to skate with them. And game one and three are examples of their lack of desire to work hard and just try to intimidate after the whistle.

To me, that's nothing more than being lazy and not willing to play the game to the max.

For their effort to be what it has been in two of the three games so far is disturbing.
- bcallaway

Yes, the speed difference was evident last night. So I guess that is one aspect I severly overlooked in presenting my question and assessment of the Blues skill aspects.

Great point b.

Yes, the speed difference was evident last night. So I guess that is one aspect I severly overlooked in presenting my question and assessment of the Blues skill aspects.

Great point b.
- MnGump

The frustration was probably not just at the Wild but the refs and the blues themselves.

I mean how do you go an entire game with not one penalty called against?

Not an excuse as the Wild should have and did win but it got out of hand with the refs.

They let the after whistle stuff go so why would the blues not try and exact some sort of revenge?

I would agree with that take. I as well as most thought the Blues would come out guns blazing from the start of game one.

And I don't disagree the Blues players were frustrated by the end of the game, but the petty after whistle thuggery was going on from the start. I get the plan of trying to get into the players heads and all that stuff and that's fine, a lot of teams employ those methods throughout the year and especially in the playoffs. I personally happen to believe teams like the Hawks, Wild and Blues don't need to because they have ample skill in their line up to play straight up hockey.

But that's just my opinion which I'm sure most Blues fans differ from.

I'm not a hockey purist by any means, I like to see hockey, not intimidation tactics and all ice a scrums after every whistle. But again, that's just one fans opinion...
- MnGump

If you think this series is bad, tune into the nucks/flames series to seem some real dirty pool. Bieksa started punching a guy while the puck was near their feet and play was still going on just to give one example.

I hear you Carcus but living where i live and who I see on a daily basis I really just dont want to hear the comments I hear.

Its not about doom and gloom with me its I am tired of being harassed because the blues always fold in the playoffs.

Just one time I want and need the bleus to win a cup or at least go deep i the playoffs so I can get my inlaws off my case.

For the most part its good fun trash talk but at some point it gets old.

I desperately want to be able to say see the blues arent what you guys keep saying they are

On to gave 4

Win and the series is brand new again and the blues have home ice advantage.
- sycsam

Don't tell anyone on the Hawks board I told you this, but the best chirp you can give to a Hawks fan for giving you a hard time about your team: "It took 49 years for your team to win cup, so we just wanted to follow your example. Except we still have a few years left."

Guy said that to me once at a game at Scottrade and I had no recourse but to buy him a beer.

I mean how do you go an entire game with not one penalty called against?

- sycsam

The Blues didn't work hard enough to draw any penalties.

When you're not possessing the puck, going into corners and battling for position, not skating, etc. then you're not going to draw any penalties.

The Blues didn't work hard enough to draw any penalties.

When you're not possessing the puck, going into corners and battling for position, not skating, etc. then you're not going to draw any penalties.
- bcallaway

I agree to a certain extent

Last three games 3's for the blues all n the road

1-0 loss to LA
2-0 loss to Chicago
3-0 loss to Minny

Where is the offense?
- sycsam

We actually played pretty good in the shutouts against LA and Chicago, JQ and CC stole those games. Last night was just baaaaaaad.

The Blues didn't work hard enough to draw any penalties.

When you're not possessing the puck, going into corners and battling for position, not skating, etc. then you're not going to draw any penalties.
- bcallaway

If the feet aren't moving and the plays being made aren't dangerous scoring opportunities, penalties aren't drawn.

Period.

Good call, BCal.

The Blues struggles these last few playoffs seem to always be about mentality to me. Steve Ott and Ryan Reaves are the roll players, the rest need to concentrate on their roles, and for most that should be scoring goals. Steen and Tarasenko get that, but they seem to be the only ones. There were many guys on the ice last night wearing white that were playing NOT to get scored on. Yet, the best way to do that is possess the puck in the offensive zone. Why should Backes and Oshie be trying to get the Wild off their game. Shouldn't the seventh place team be chirping at the division champs trying to get them off their game?

The after whistle stuff should be left to the Ott's, Reaves, and Jackmans, not the top line. It is the easy way out to look like you are putting in effort when you aren't concentrating on what's important. Get the puck to the paint around Doobs feet and get some traffic. The STL line will score pretty goals, everybody else needs to get it deep, get it back, and get to the net. Then skate away after the whistle, save your energy, and do it again

If you think this series is bad, tune into the nucks/flames series to seem some real dirty pool. Bieksa started punching a guy while the puck was near their feet and play was still going on just to give one example.
- stljam

I've seen some of the coverage on NHL network. That some bad blood there, and that's why I think teams like Calgary, Vancouver, Winnipeg et al need to goon it up more. Less depth and less skill.

Optional practice today and only Goc and Jaskin showed up as far as players that "played" (if you can call it that) last night. Backes should have EVERYONE out there today working their buts off. He is a terrible leader. If they don't turn things around I hope Oshie and him are traded at the draft for guys who show up in the playoffs. I'd keep Hitch if he wants to still coach. Its not him its this crappy core.

Optional practice today and only Goc and Jaskin showed up as far as players that "played" (if you can call it that) last night. Backes should have EVERYONE out there today working their buts off. He is a terrible leader. If they don't turn things around I hope Oshie and him are traded at the draft for guys who show up in the playoffs. I'd keep Hitch if he wants to still coach. Its not him its this crappy core.
- cuethenoise

I say bye to the coach and the core, especially Backes and Oshie. Hell, Berglund has outplayed them so far. If you can't get one of the good coaches that will be out there, then let Kirk Muller or Brad Shaw lead these guys.

I say bye to the coach and the core, especially Backes and Oshie. Hell, Berglund has outplayed them so far. If you can't get one of the good coaches that will be out there, then let Kirk Muller or Brad Shaw lead these guys.
- bluenoter

Hitch is a good coach. This core is what is wrong. But Muller or Shaw would be great replacements. Both have done wonders with our special teams. Hell our special teams have been the only good thing so far in this series, besides goaltending.

Dear Blues Fans,

Thru 3 post season games 6 of the top 8 highest paid blues: have accounted for 0 goals, 1 pt, and are a -4. They account for $30 million of the payroll.

You're welcome.

Sincerely,
Doug Armstrong

Dear Blues Fans,

Thru 3 post season games 6 of the top 8 highest paid blues: have accounted for 0 goals, 1 pt, and are a -4. They account for $30 million of the payroll.

You're welcome.

Sincerely,
Doug Armstrong
- Trust In Jarmo

Didn't Jarmo have something to do with most of those guys though?

Yep. Didn't Jarmo have something to do with most of those guys though?
- cuethenoise

Save Statsny. He drafted: Backes, Oshie, Lehtera, and Berglund if I recall correctly.

Save Statsny. He drafted: Backes, Oshie, Lehtera, and Berglund if I recall correctly.
- cuethenoise

And should have drafted Statsny, but passed him over to draft some dude named Scott Jackson.......

And should have drafted Statsny, but passed him over to draft some dude named Scott Jackson.......
- bcallaway

Yep haha

Dear Blues Fans,

Thru 3 post season games 6 of the top 8 highest paid blues: have accounted for 0 goals, 1 pt, and are a -4. They account for $30 million of the payroll.

You're welcome.

Sincerely,
Doug Armstrong
- Trust In Jarmo

Unfortunately for your argument, Jarmo is responsible for the core of the team. Of course, this series and playoff year are a long way from being over.

Unfortunately for your argument, Jarmo is responsible for the core of the team. Of course, this series and playoff year are a long way from being over.
- stljam

How dare you point out facts to Trust in Jarmo

Unfortunately for your argument, Jarmo is responsible for the core of the team. Of course, this series and playoff year are a long way from being over.
- stljam

I don't recall Jarmo overpaying almost every player on the roster.

I also don't remember Jarmo hiring Dougs old pal from Dallas, Ken Hitchcock

When did Jarmo do that?

I don't recall Jarmo overpaying almost every player on the roster.

I also don't remember Jarmo hiring Dougs old pal from Dallas, Ken Hitchcock

When did Jarmo do that?
- Trust In Jarmo

How about those trades for all those 1st round picks he gave up else well since 2011.

I don't recall Jarmo overpaying almost every player on the roster.

I also don't remember Jarmo hiring Dougs old pal from Dallas, Ken Hitchcock

When did Jarmo do that?
- Trust In Jarmo

I think the only player who is notably overpaid is Stastny. Berglund or Ott may make a little too much but overpayment such as that can be found on every NHL roster.

I think most people agree that Hitch is not the problem right now, it is the core.

I have to say this series might be the most boring of all so far. I didn't realize Minnesota was the better team in this match up but so far they've skated circles around stlouis. They're not only making guys like Ott and backes look stupid, but theyre making the top players like Steen and Tsenko look foolish.

Blues need to start pounding them or this series is as good as over