Randall Ritchey: Tarasenko Shines As Blues Beat Predators 4-3 - Sobotka On IR Vladimir Tarasenko shines in the St. Louis Blues 4-3 shootout victory over the Nashville Predators. The Blues got goals from T.J. Oshie and Vladimir Tarasenko in the shootout to beat the stingy Preds.

Nashville shouldn't have been able to get back in this, but Tarasenko is the man!

Man I love Tarasenko, all those idiots saying Hitchcok (can't add the c) would bench him because he isn't great defensively never saw him play in the KHL nor knew anything about him other than he is Russian and highly skilled. Kid plays with intensity and understands the game so well. Blues just seem to find the right fits.

Man I love Tarasenko, all those idiots saying Hitchcok (can't add the c) would bench him because he isn't great defensively never saw him play in the KHL nor knew anything about him other than he is Russian and highly skilled. Kid plays with intensity and understands the game so well. Blues just seem to find the right fits.
- AdamFrench

Yeah Tarasenko is the complete player. He really seems to be coming into his own these last few games.

Man I love Tarasenko, all those idiots saying Hitchcok (can't add the c) would bench him because he isn't great defensively never saw him play in the KHL nor knew anything about him other than he is Russian and highly skilled. Kid plays with intensity and understands the game so well. Blues just seem to find the right fits.
- AdamFrench

You nailed it, Adam. The kid is an all around player, and it's kind of shocking to see how much better he is this year as compared to last year. He obviously feels a lot more comfortable being here and in the NHL, and the Blues convinced him to shoot the puck more......and wow can he shoot!

Good read. What happened to Truehockey?

Good read. What happened to Truehockey?
- All Blues

I'm not Andy Strickland, haha.

Good read. What happened to Truehockey?
- All Blues

Pretty sure it died when he got a consistent gig with FSM.

Just an awful play for Ian Cole to send that puck to the front of the net and give Nashville life and an equally awful play for Brian Elliot to give up his 'one bad goal' that seems to find him every game these days.

Further proof that the Blues have to have a sharp Halak in the playoffs or look outside the organization.

The Blues still don't look very good to me. They are not getting after the puck on the forecheck like they were doing earlier and that's really the only way they can have sustained success.

Sobotka's injury has the potential to be devastating because he's their best faceoff man by a long shot.

Maybe I'm being nitpicky, or maybe I'm just off my rocker - but even though AP is one of the highest scoring defensemen in the league, I really thought he'd be a better player defensively. I find his defensive game troubling.

For two years in a row now, I've been disappointed in his play. Am I expecting too much from him?

Just an awful play for Ian Cole to send that puck to the front of the net and give Nashville life and an equally awful play for Brian Elliot to give up his 'one bad goal' that seems to find him every game these days.

Further proof that the Blues have to have a sharp Halak in the playoffs or look outside the organization.

The Blues still don't look very good to me. They are not getting after the puck on the forecheck like they were doing earlier and that's really the only way they can have sustained success.

Sobotka's injury has the potential to be devastating because he's their best faceoff man by a long shot.

Maybe I'm being nitpicky, or maybe I'm just off my rocker - but even though AP is one of the highest scoring defensemen in the league, I really thought he'd be a better player defensively. I find his defensive game troubling.

For two years in a row now, I've been disappointed in his play. Am I expecting too much from him?
- bcallaway

Elliott was extremely shaky. I like having him as the backup as he usually does a good job, but I wouldn't be opposed to trading him if someone was interested and bring up Allen to backup/get experience for next season.

Elliott was extremely shaky. I like having him as the backup as he usually does a good job, but I wouldn't be opposed to trading him if someone was interested and bring up Allen to backup/get experience for next season.
- carcus

I agree is that the only potential issue is what happens next year. Allen's contract has guranteed him playing in the NHL and Jaro is a UFA. You make that move you're looking at possibly have 2 new keepers start next yeat.

Disappointed I wasn't able to make it to STL this season. Been the last 5 years and 4 of those games the Preds won. Hell of a game though and like most of y'all, couldn't believe Fisher got one passed Elliot the way he did. That was simply just throwing it towards the net and did Fisher ever get lucky.

And btw, I would love to have Oshie on the Preds. Have always liked him, great player.

I agree is that the only potential issue is what happens next year. Allen's contract has guranteed him playing in the NHL and Jaro is a UFA. You make that move you're looking at possibly have 2 new keepers start next yeat.
- Gerk

Elliott is also an UFA. So there is very little chance of him coming back since Allen should be the backup. Elliott is not a starter.

If Halak has a good run, I could see them re-signing him and having him with Allen next year. Or signing another UFA goalie.

Elliott is also an UFA. So there is very little chance of him coming back since Allen should be the backup. Elliott is not a starter.

If Halak has a good run, I could see them re-signing him and having him with Allen next year. Or signing another UFA goalie.
- carcus

Agree.

No place for Elliot. He's a good backup, nothing more. Allen is here next year as the #2 and the top spot TBD.

And I honestly think Halak is going to have to have an other-worldly playoff run in order for the Blues to consider bringing him back. Unless he's just spectacular the rest of the way, I think the Blues will look to upgrade the position.

Just an awful play for Ian Cole to send that puck to the front of the net and give Nashville life and an equally awful play for Brian Elliot to give up his 'one bad goal' that seems to find him every game these days.

Further proof that the Blues have to have a sharp Halak in the playoffs or look outside the organization.

The Blues still don't look very good to me. They are not getting after the puck on the forecheck like they were doing earlier and that's really the only way they can have sustained success.

Sobotka's injury has the potential to be devastating because he's their best faceoff man by a long shot.

Maybe I'm being nitpicky, or maybe I'm just off my rocker - but even though AP is one of the highest scoring defensemen in the league, I really thought he'd be a better player defensively. I find his defensive game troubling.

For two years in a row now, I've been disappointed in his play. Am I expecting too much from him?
- bcallaway

The Blues really haven't looked that great for about a month or so. I'd chalk most of it up to the fact that its mid season and they're in good position in the standings. You can't expect them to be firing on all 8 cylinders the entire year.

My biggest worry is that they have not played well all year against the top defensive teams. They'll get a big test Thursday against Boston who has the stingiest D in the league right now.

I agree, AP has not been impressing me with his defensive play. Maybe we're expecting too much too soon but his defensive game is not currently at the level of a Drew Doughty or Ekman Larsson. Overall I would still say the Blues have one of the best D units, although the number 6 spot is looking kind of shaky. Leopold has not been the same since his injury and Cole has never handled D zone pressure very well.

I'm still hoping for Miller but I wouldn't be surprised to see them try to at least improve the back up position.

If Stewart is actually available, what would STL need in return??

If Stewart is actually available, what would STL need in return??
- muffin_man

The rumor is yes, Stewart is actually available. A top six center is ideally what the Blues need. Plekanec or Eller would be the ideal targets from Montreal.

The rumor is yes, Stewart is actually available. A top six center is ideally what the Blues need. Plekanec or Eller would be the ideal targets from Montreal.
- Randall_Ritchey

Want Eller back?

Tuesday night game against the Sens. Storms hitting the area. People were out last night buying up all the french toast supplies that they could get their hands on.

Over/Under is set at 11,000 fans attending tonight.

I am going to guess that there will be less than 10,999 other fans besides myself there.