Randall Ritchey: Two Point Night For Ian Cole Helps Blues Top The Predators Ian Cole had scored in the first and assisted on Magnus Paajarvi's goal to help the Blues beat the Predators 2-1.

Ryan Miller stopped 20-of-21 shots on goal to earn his third straight win with the St. Louis Blues.

Killer Miller must be getting bored between the pipes...only 63 shots over 3 games? sheesh....He must be loving life

Killer Miller must be getting bored between the pipes...only 63 shots over 3 games? sheesh....He must be loving life
- RynoBull

Some goalies can't function facing a small number of shots. Miller (so far) seems to be ready to make a big save when called upon.

Can we please keep playing Cole? We can even play Coliocovo too, just bench Jackman.

Looking forward to tomorrows game, we are coming for you Blues, we put up against Miller last time ha chances are that is going to happen this time around..but you might on us

So it's only been 3 games but how are you guys liking Miller?

Looking forward to tomorrows game, we are coming for you Blues, we put up against Miller last time ha chances are that is going to happen this time around..but you might on us
- DDM-Coga

No doubt, looking forward to it as well. Colorado is serious business, I think a few of us look at Chicago as a benchmark but haven't paid attention to how good Colorado is.

I don't like the vibe of this game already. It's a bizarre start time and the Blues in recent history haven't played all that well in Denver.

So it's only been 3 games but how are you guys liking Miller?
- nikel

He hasn't really been asked to do too much so far, his value will come playoff time.

Steve Ott has had a solid impact though. Love having him. Great faceoff guy and has played a terrific all around game. Fits in nicely here.

No doubt, looking forward to it as well. Colorado is serious business, I think a few of us look at Chicago as a benchmark but haven't paid attention to how good Colorado is.

I don't like the vibe of this game already. It's a bizarre start time and the Blues in recent history haven't played all that well in Denver.
- bcallaway

and for whatever reason the Avs have played well at that time, have had it a few times this season. Dont know if it has anything to do with a Nuggets game or something.

Beating Hawks and Wings recently on the Road has to have amped up their convidence level. Its crazy for us to think there is a chance we could have home ice in the playoffs

He hasn't really been asked to do too much so far, his value will come playoff time.

Steve Ott has had a solid impact though. Love having him. Great faceoff guy and has played a terrific all around game. Fits in nicely here.
- bcallaway

Ott is terrific...i was more bummed hearing he was included than Miller really. Great all around player, he's not going to net you 30 goals but playing on your team, and on a good year he could definately approach 20G, 40+pts.

Was at the game last night... Too drunk to comment on it though as I barely remember the game.

Ott is terrific...i was more bummed hearing he was included than Miller really. Great all around player, he's not going to net you 30 goals but playing on your team, and on a good year he could definately approach 20G, 40+pts.
- nikel

We didn't see much of him during his time in Buffalo but I sure hated his butt when he was in Dallas.

What's nice about him and the likes of Brendan Morrow is they are both very similar to the way David Backes plays, so Backes doesn't have to do all the heavy lifting in terms of being the pounding physical presence and have to supply skill and points.

That responsibility is much more balanced now with those guys.

So it's only been 3 games but how are you guys liking Miller?
- nikel

"

"It's still the NHL and there are going to be opportunities. No one wants to hear a goalie complain about few shots, so I'm happy to be a part of this club, and they play a good brand of hockey," Miller said. "It's my job to do a job. Stop the puck. Keep myself alert and keep myself energetic and engaged because there's going to be moments in the game when I'm going to have to play my game and it might not be after a couple shots of warm-ups." Ryan Miller


Where as Halak complained about having too few shots.

These are not score sheet tangibles but it makes the team feel different and more confident. A good team with more confidence is dangerous.

I have always loved Miller. He is so far mr. Cool.

But I am super impressed by Ott. I always liked him because I hated him. Last night after a whistle and a bit of a tussle Is aw his eyes. As intense as the blues are I rarely see there eyes so sharp and angry. I love that intensity.

One of the blues weaknesses is getting intense early in the game and I think Ott can help that.

and for whatever reason the Avs have played well at that time, have had it a few times this season. Dont know if it has anything to do with a Nuggets game or something.

Beating Hawks and Wings recently on the Road has to have amped up their convidence level. Its crazy for us to think there is a chance we could have home ice in the playoffs
- DDM-Coga

I am still suprised by the pundits heing surprised about Varlamov. As long as he is healthy he is great.

But the biggest surprise is your defense. Otherwise everyone knows yu have tremendous talent up front.

I am still suprised by the pundits heing surprised about Varlamov. As long as he is healthy he is great.

But the biggest surprise is your defense. Otherwise everyone knows yu have tremendous talent up front.
- BluemanGuruu

It feels good to have some people eat their words abotu that trade, always had talent just was the sacrifical lamb in Washington.

yeah D individually isnt great but they work as a unit and the forwards are really supporting them in their own end, play a really strong 5man defensive game, has taken the pressure off them. Johnson stepping up this year has really helped, finalyl being that big body minute munching dman we have been looking for

"

"It's still the NHL and there are going to be opportunities. No one wants to hear a goalie complain about few shots, so I'm happy to be a part of this club, and they play a good brand of hockey," Miller said. "It's my job to do a job. Stop the puck. Keep myself alert and keep myself energetic and engaged because there's going to be moments in the game when I'm going to have to play my game and it might not be after a couple shots of warm-ups." Ryan Miller


Where as Halak complained about having too few shots.

These are not score sheet tangibles but it makes the team feel different and more confident. A good team with more confidence is dangerous.

I have always loved Miller. He is so far mr. Cool.

But I am super impressed by Ott. I always liked him because I hated him. Last night after a whistle and a bit of a tussle Is aw his eyes. As intense as the blues are I rarely see there eyes so sharp and angry. I love that intensity.

One of the blues weaknesses is getting intense early in the game and I think Ott can help that.
- BluemanGuruu

It really is the answers to the media and quotes that make him the right pick. He doesn't even make excuses when the puck gets thrown for the corner to a wide open guy in front who taps it in. I think his quote was, "I should've been thinking pass more there." Really?!?! Where the hell was the D? But good on him. I know he sweats confidence.

It feels good to have some people eat their words abotu that trade, always had talent just was the sacrifical lamb in Washington.

yeah D individually isnt great but they work as a unit and the forwards are really supporting them in their own end, play a really strong 5man defensive game, has taken the pressure off them. Johnson stepping up this year has really helped, finalyl being that big body minute munching dman we have been looking for
- DDM-Coga

Johnson's biggest problem has always been trying to do too much on his own.

It used to be if you had a go supporting forecheck you could cause him to make a turn over because he would over handle the puck. It came about because frankly on many of the Blues teams he learned not to trust his d partner to take care of the puck. That resulted in some bad habits.

His other issue is his shot. Despite every bit of evidence to contrary he kept trying to load up big slappers from the point. Such shots as you know now a days are rare. But worse still he rarely fired on net when he did get it off here.

But he has good size and is a smooth skater and he can see how p lays are developing. So he always has a chance to reach his upside.

The thing with a team like the Avs is what happens in the post season. Maybe Roy can guide them through or maybe they are inexperienced enough to dismiss the emotional roller coaster ride.

But the second season is whole other level that young players often have to experince once or twice to be prepared for it. In other words temper your hopes but plce them firmly in your goltender.

Johnson's biggest problem has always been trying to do too much on his own.

It used to be if you had a go supporting forecheck you could cause him to make a turn over because he would over handle the puck. It came about because frankly on many of the Blues teams he learned not to trust his d partner to take care of the puck. That resulted in some bad habits.

His other issue is his shot. Despite every bit of evidence to contrary he kept trying to load up big slappers from the point. Such shots as you know now a days are rare. But worse still he rarely fired on net when he did get it off here.

But he has good size and is a smooth skater and he can see how p lays are developing. So he always has a chance to reach his upside.

The thing with a team like the Avs is what happens in the post season. Maybe Roy can guide them through or maybe they are inexperienced enough to dismiss the emotional roller coaster ride.

But the second season is whole other level that young players often have to experince once or twice to be prepared for it. In other words temper your hopes but plce them firmly in your goltender.
- BluemanGuruu

EJ has really stopped with the shot, he takes more wrist shots from teh point now if anything. When he first came here he always tried to hammer the shot through everyone and it just always got blocked and ended up beign dumped out of the zone.

Roy and Foote told him to start to season taht forget about the past and its a fresh start from here, have fun and simplfy your game, which he has done. Seems to have done the trick working ith him and Hejda has been a great partner for him. A nice pair

EJ has really stopped with the shot, he takes more wrist shots from teh point now if anything. When he first came here he always tried to hammer the shot through everyone and it just always got blocked and ended up beign dumped out of the zone.

Roy and Foote told him to start to season taht forget about the past and its a fresh start from here, have fun and simplfy your game, which he has done. Seems to have done the trick working ith him and Hejda has been a great partner for him. A nice pair
- DDM-Coga

Yeah. I figured he dumped his bad habits. Those were really his only issues besides driving a golf cart.

"

"It's still the NHL and there are going to be opportunities. No one wants to hear a goalie complain about few shots, so I'm happy to be a part of this club, and they play a good brand of hockey," Miller said. "It's my job to do a job. Stop the puck. Keep myself alert and keep myself energetic and engaged because there's going to be moments in the game when I'm going to have to play my game and it might not be after a couple shots of warm-ups." Ryan Miller


Where as Halak complained about having too few shots.

These are not score sheet tangibles but it makes the team feel different and more confident. A good team with more confidence is dangerous.

I have always loved Miller. He is so far mr. Cool.

But I am super impressed by Ott. I always liked him because I hated him. Last night after a whistle and a bit of a tussle Is aw his eyes. As intense as the blues are I rarely see there eyes so sharp and angry. I love that intensity.

One of the blues weaknesses is getting intense early in the game and I think Ott can help that.
- BluemanGuruu

Very true. How many times did we hear of Halak complaining about not seeing enough shots? That confidence is one of the biggest differences between him and Halak. That and puck handling. Miller is no Mike Smith but compared to Halak he is much better at controlling rebounds and handling the puck. Two of Halak's biggest weaknesses. That alone will help the possession game and reduce the amount of time spent chasing in the D zone.

You could also make the same argument about Ott compared to Stewy. In many ways Ott brings everything that Stewy was either unable or unwilling to bring. Where Stewy would be easily neutralized in a tight checking game, Ott rises to the level of the opposition, and then some. He's also defensively responsible, a strong penalty killer, and is able to take face offs. Things you could never say about Stew.

Very true. How many times did we hear of Halak complaining about not seeing enough shots? That confidence is one of the biggest differences between him and Halak. That and puck handling. Miller is no Mike Smith but compared to Halak he is much better at controlling rebounds and handling the puck. Two of Halak's biggest weaknesses. That alone will help the possession game and reduce the amount of time spent chasing in the D zone.

You could also make the same argument about Ott compared to Stewy. In many ways Ott brings everything that Stewy was either unable or unwilling to bring. Where Stewy would be easily neutralized in a tight checking game, Ott rises to the level of the opposition, and then some. He's also defensively responsible, a strong penalty killer, and is able to take face offs. Things you could never say about Stew.
- fattyboubatty

Very true. Basically if you traded Stewart away and played Chris Porter you are ahead of the curve the way Stewart has played lately.


You forgot three other things Miller does Halak was not the best at:

1) he catches the puck.
2) he controls the rebounds
3) he isn't as easily screened

For all the Blues fans who constantly said the past few months that Miller was barely better, if at all, than Halak, it is nice to see some fans understand there is a major difference between the two guys that simple numbers do not explain.

Miller is constant cool in net and on the ice, especially when things are at their worst.

He stops the puck when the team needs to regroup and the puck seems to stick to him, meaning no lost time spent scrambling in your own zone. Miller will also never duck a tough question after a game and will never hide from the media or sugar coat on ice play.

For a team as good as the Blues, those are small differences that add up to a big one come playoff time.

I am rooting for Miller, and your team, as are many Sabres fans.