We're done. Anyone have the time of death?
- RobShouts

Looks like I stumbled into the P-D Blues forum with all this doom and gloom.

It's 2-1. Not an insurmountable hurdle. Especially considering no one at this point is having a good series in my book.

The rookies are making rookie mistakes and you don't have anyone willing to win a puck battle that doesn't reside on a fourth line, which means when they do win the battle they don't have the skill to do anything about it.

Shut up already about puck luck. There's no such thing.

Interesting comments after the game from Hitchcock about Tarasenko.

Looks like I stumbled into the P-D Blues forum with all this doom and gloom.

It's 2-1. Not an insurmountable hurdle. Especially considering no one at this point is having a good series in my book.

The rookies are making rookie mistakes and you don't have anyone willing to win a puck battle that doesn't reside on a fourth line, which means when they do win the battle they don't have the skill to do anything about it.

Shut up already about puck luck. There's no such thing.

Interesting comments after the game from Hitchcock about Tarasenko.
- bcallaway

This is a chance for this team to grow. 2-1 is nothing. Playoffs are all about adapting game to game. Win game 4 and you're back in the drivers seat.

You didn't think this would be easy, did you guys?

This is a chance for this team to grow. 2-1 is nothing. Playoffs are all about adapting game to game. Win game 4 and you're back in the drivers seat.

You didn't think this would be easy, did you guys?

- howiehandles

Exactly.

Looks like I stumbled into the P-D Blues forum with all this doom and gloom.

It's 2-1. Not an insurmountable hurdle. Especially considering no one at this point is having a good series in my book.

The rookies are making rookie mistakes and you don't have anyone willing to win a puck battle that doesn't reside on a fourth line, which means when they do win the battle they don't have the skill to do anything about it.

Shut up already about puck luck. There's no such thing.

Interesting comments after the game from Hitchcock about Tarasenko.
- bcallaway

Hey, it looks like I logged into your account by accident.

We need to take one in San Jose, that one is now Saturday.

This team has gone through slumps, and usually explode when coming out of it. Let's do that on Saturday.

This is a chance for this team to grow. 2-1 is nothing. Playoffs are all about adapting game to game. Win game 4 and you're back in the drivers seat.

You didn't think this would be easy, did you guys?

- howiehandles

No, it isn't easy. And the Blues are still in this, no time of death yet.

In talking about Tarasenko, Hitch's comments are below. No indication as some speculate that he may be nursing an injury, just needs to dial up his game another notch.

Personally, I think cardio-fitness might be his problem more than an injury.

From the coach:

“Well, the thing that would help him, we can’t give him — which is more experience. Vladi’s learning some really hard lessons. Playoffs are for veteran players. And the veteran players on both teams have this thing dialed up. As you experience as a younger player, you’re going to have to learn to fight through a lot if you expect to score. We would like him to learn that lesson a day from now, but we’re not sure about the time frame.

“Some guys never learn it, some guys can’t do it, some guys learn it and really become special scoring players. But he’s going to have to fight through everything if he expects to score a goal and contribute offensively. And there are some days he’s going to be an effective player (in a game) and not even get a point, but he’s going to have to have an understanding of what it takes to play at this time of year, in the conference final, with 100 percent commitment on the other side.”


I happen to agree with the coach on this one. But I also think the veterans aren't as dialed in in this series as the Sharks are to date.

Time for them to draw down and recall the price the Hawks were willing to pay to go down fighting to the very end. We're not seeing this level from the Blues.

And you all shut up about the officiating while you're at it. They're a non-factor.

Wait a second yu must like that crap they call beer but is alcoholic sparkling water.
- BluemanGuruu

Don't drink much beer at all but IPA generally taste skunked imho. The only IPA I have found tolerable so far was a White IPA.

If I'm drinking a beer, lately it would likely be an Avery White Rascal.

Sam's club had your game of thrones omegong (didn't bother to look up the right spelling) - hoppy wheat beer it claimed.

I am concerned right now

I will be worried if they lose on Saturday

If the blues win Saturday its a best of 3

Lets Go Blues

Really? Like when? I saw him make some nice space and time for break outs. One time he faked a head man pass, glided back a bit and moved the puck up ice to an open player. He made some good timely pinches. Held the lines well.

JayBo mostly played a good defensive game tonight, but he backs in too much for my taste. Grant Pavs, Thorton and Hertl all have greta hands but they give them too much respect. IMHO what I want to create offense is soace and time and if I getnit for free super, because usually you have to earn it.

I guess we just see the game differently.
- BluemanGuruu

Compare how many uncontested slot chances the Sharks have had vs the Blues...tells you all you need to know about the series.

This series has also solidified what I think they will do over the off season or perhaps at the next trade deadline but that conversation is for another day.

Don't drink much beer at all but IPA generally taste skunked imho. The only IPA I have found tolerable so far was a White IPA.

If I'm drinking a beer, lately it would likely be an Avery White Rascal.

Sam's club had your game of thrones omegong (didn't bother to look up the right spelling) - hoppy wheat beer it claimed.
- Jason Millen

Man I love IPA's

best beers IMO

When i played d in roller i preferred my off side. That way i always had the one timer and i shot better as a righty from the left side anyway. as a forward when i was young i asked to play my off wing and the coach said no so i switched to center.
- BluesDroogie

Off wing is significantly different than off D

I would bet a lot of money someone showed him where NBC took him to task on national TV.

But yeah. Actually he and Petro looked like a great pairing. I think JayBo looked better with Shattenkirk as well. Never understood why the sudden switch once play offs started. I mean understand the thinking behind the move just did not agree one-hundred percent.
- BluemanGuruu

I wouldn't have switched the pairings back other than based on specific game time and circumstance. This was a coaching mistake imho. Obviously they won the 1st two series doing it so maybe I am wrong but I think it has other ramifications that you are seeing now.

Well a big part of it was apathy for the team seeing it not make the playoffs and then get bounced after an epic collapse. Another issue I think is the 49'ers moving to Santa Clara, may season ticket holders I think spent their expendable funds on going to NFL instead of NHL games.
- Ryman

Didn't even think of the 49ers impact which could be big.

This is a chance for this team to grow. 2-1 is nothing. Playoffs are all about adapting game to game. Win game 4 and you're back in the drivers seat.

You didn't think this would be easy, did you guys?

- howiehandles

Funny part is that a good win in Game 4 and this poor stretch may actually help the team going forward.

Funny part is that a good win in Game 4 and this poor stretch may actually help the team going forward.
- Jason Millen

They better play Allen and play strong in front of him.

Elliott is tired. He needs a break.

They need to put Lehtera back with Tarasenko, they feed of each other.

They better play Allen and play strong in front of him.

Elliott is tired. He needs a break.

They need to put Lehtera back with Tarasenko, they feed of each other.
- carcus

Agree. Elliot was strong in Game 1 but aside from that he's just been OK over the last few games now. He's certainly not carrying the team on his back or anything close to that.

All things equal Allen is as good or better than Elliot in my estimation.

I am concerned right now

I will be worried if they lose on Saturday

If the blues win Saturday its a best of 3

Lets Go Blues
- sycsam

yes...G4 is must win for the blues...very few teams come back 3-1 to win. Hawks have been down 3-0 (1x) and 3-1 (4x)...all 5 series went to G7 but they only won vs detroit in 2013 and on to win the cup.

sharks play very robotic structured team game...they are not fast, or big or the most talented but they know how to play together...

you see games like last night all the time: blues come out strong can't get the puck in the net; sharks get a couple of transition odd mans and its 2-0...

2 goals in 3 games and 7 str periods of 0 goals....that will get a ones cranium

They better play Allen and play strong in front of him.

Elliott is tired. He needs a break.

They need to put Lehtera back with Tarasenko, they feed of each other.
- carcus

I would have swapped goalies after the 2nd goal as well. Sure a bit of a desperation move but like you said, give him some rest, along with trying to light a fire under the team.

Blues have 3 forwards in the top 8 and 6 in top 15 in TOI avg of players left. Sharks only have 1 in top 8 and 4 in the top 15. (min 13 games played). Is this part of why the forwards seem tired and slow?

I would have swapped goalies after the 2nd goal as well. Sure a bit of a desperation move but like you said, give him some rest, along with trying to light a fire under the team.

Blues have 3 forwards in the top 8 and 6 in top 15 in TOI avg of players left. Sharks only have 1 in top 8 and 4 in the top 15. (min 13 games played). Is this part of why the forwards seem tired and slow?
- Jason Millen

Elliott has proven over his career that he needs rest and cant handle 15 plus games in a row.

Not his fault we are down 2-1 but he might need a breather

The forwards being tired is on Hitch and the staff

In Games we had won handily he was still rolling the top 9 a lot and not using the fourth line much.

yes...G4 is must win for the blues...very few teams come back 3-1 to win. Hawks have been down 3-0 (1x) and 3-1 (4x)...all 5 series went to G7 but they only won vs detroit in 2013 and on to win the cup.

sharks play very robotic structured team game...they are not fast, or big or the most talented but they know how to play together...

you see games like last night all the time: blues come out strong can't get the puck in the net; sharks get a couple of transition odd mans and its 2-0...

2 goals in 3 games and 7 str periods of 0 goals....that will get a ones cranium
- bogiedoc

See it all the time

Just have to win Saturday

That is the only thing that matters right now

yes...G4 is must win for the blues...very few teams come back 3-1 to win. Hawks have been down 3-0 (1x) and 3-1 (4x)...all 5 series went to G7 but they only won vs detroit in 2013 and on to win the cup.

sharks play very robotic structured team game...they are not fast, or big or the most talented but they know how to play together...

you see games like last night all the time: blues come out strong can't get the puck in the net; sharks get a couple of transition odd mans and its 2-0...

2 goals in 3 games and 7 str periods of 0 goals....that will get a ones cranium
- bogiedoc

Not sure which team you've been watching, but the Sharks are pretty fast (Just ask LA) and some of our best guys are big and very difficult to knock off the puck (Burns, Thornton, Hertl) and as far as talent goes, 3 players in the top 10 in scoring this season and the top 3 playoff scorers? Yep, all Sharks. So...

They better play Allen and play strong in front of him.

Elliott is tired. He needs a break.

They need to put Lehtera back with Tarasenko, they feed of each other.
- carcus

Lehtera or Backes, putting Steen out there with him especially for faceoffs puts them at a disadvantage.

In talking about Tarasenko, Hitch's comments are below. No indication as some speculate that he may be nursing an injury, just needs to dial up his game another notch.

Personally, I think cardio-fitness might be his problem more than an injury.

From the coach:

“Well, the thing that would help him, we can’t give him — which is more experience. Vladi’s learning some really hard lessons. Playoffs are for veteran players. And the veteran players on both teams have this thing dialed up. As you experience as a younger player, you’re going to have to learn to fight through a lot if you expect to score. We would like him to learn that lesson a day from now, but we’re not sure about the time frame.

“Some guys never learn it, some guys can’t do it, some guys learn it and really become special scoring players. But he’s going to have to fight through everything if he expects to score a goal and contribute offensively. And there are some days he’s going to be an effective player (in a game) and not even get a point, but he’s going to have to have an understanding of what it takes to play at this time of year, in the conference final, with 100 percent commitment on the other side.”


I happen to agree with the coach on this one. But I also think the veterans aren't as dialed in in this series as the Sharks are to date.

Time for them to draw down and recall the price the Hawks were willing to pay to go down fighting to the very end. We're not seeing this level from the Blues.

And you all shut up about the officiating while you're at it. They're a non-factor.
- bcallaway

That is well said.

Not sure which team you've been watching, but the Sharks are pretty fast (Just ask LA) and some of our best guys are big and very difficult to knock off the puck (Burns, Thornton, Hertl) and as far as talent goes, 3 players in the top 10 in scoring this season and the top 3 playoff scorers? Yep, all Sharks. So...
- WaterVsAnchor

no disrespect to the sharks with my comments...i will grant you your comeback...i don't watch alot of shark hockey but what i have seen is quite impressive...

i was making relative comparisons to say speed teams like the pens and bolts and what the hawks used to be...

overall they are not a big heavy team like the blues or kings....

i am a huge fan of pavelski...class guy and great player...no disrespect to the blues but i like the sharks for the cup...

Don't drink much beer at all but IPA generally taste skunked imho. The only IPA I have found tolerable so far was a White IPA.

If I'm drinking a beer, lately it would likely be an Avery White Rascal.

Sam's club had your game of thrones omegong (didn't bother to look up the right spelling) - hoppy wheat beer it claimed.
- Jason Millen

Thank God. There are some IPAs that have skunkiness abut them it is true. The good ones are insane. My buddy at the end of the road brews beer and another buddy is a connisuer, though he might be getting to wine while he is stationed in Italy.They are one who taught me how to enjy hoppy beers. A bad one can also taste like soap.