Randall Ritchey: Blues Set Franchise Record With Win In Buffalo The St. Louis Blues set a franchise record tonight, earning points in 13 straight games, and have tied the Nashville Predators at the top of the central division.

Sooooo.......you're sayin they'll be no Lindstrom jersey under your Christmas tree?

I would not say Lindstrom is not NHL capable just not a Western Confernce player and certainly not strong enough to be a center. It is difficult especially offensive to get into a game when you are watching most of it and not playing much.

That said I do think he is a poor fit on the Blues. I think on other teams he would be a decent depth player. He could easly play top six in Buffalo, though that does not say much. I am not a fan of his to be sure.

But it is as I also said before this game it is unfair to judge Rattie on that line because of Lindstrom.

The other teams are going to cntinue to forecheck on the strong side and then throw a player at the defenseman and try to catch their pass. Why? Because three of the four defensive groupings have left handers playing the left side meaning they are in those situations playing the puck on their backhand.

Whether it is giving Regner a shot or some other right handed dman the Blues need to do it now and get a feel for it. You can over come exposure on one grouping but no on two. That said Cole and Butler are doing an admirable job. Most of the Dman mistakes came from the top pairing and Jackman. That says a lot. The Blues need to figure someting out about how to deal with such forechecks but they do not have time to practice right now seemingly playing almost every night lately.


Rattie looks like he is focusing his play on this call up around positioning. So his focusing his thoughts on where he should be on the ice rather than playing and that takes away from his game a bit. I understand why a young player would feel that way.

Allen was tremendous in net. The Blues took the game too much for granted but they won so that is good.

Randal you are getting good at your blogging congrats on doing a great job for a while now!

Randall Ritchey: Blues Set Franchise Record With Win In Buffalo
The St. Louis Blues set a franchise record tonight, earning points in 13 straight games, and have tied the Nashville Predators at the top of the central division.
- Randall_Ritchey

Congrats

Yikes!!!!! Did Lindstrom sleep with your wife or something? I'm not a huge fan of his, but why bash a guy who didn't even play? If you want to bash someone, why not pick on someone who actually didn't look like a NHL caliber player tonight (Bouwmeester)?!?!?!

The Blues just keep plugging along. Sunday should be alot of fun even though the game starts way too early!

I'll say this, I'd rather be a Buffalo Sabres fan than a Toronto Maple Leafs fan right now. Sure they lack speed, skill, and overall talent but at least they play hard and for the most part within a structure. Add Mcdavid or Eichel next year and in a few years they'll be a solid playoff team.

Yeah Guru it sucks having two guys playing their off side. It's not that bad when it's just one guy on the third pair but when when you have two guys it makes it that much easier for the other team to key in on them. I'm not too worried though, Shatty will be back ready to go for the playoffs. And they could still go out and bring in a righthander before the deadline.

Blues are rolling. Keep it up. Love it when you're getting stellar play from both goalies. Blues seem to be able to play their game and not worry about who's in net.

I was surprised to see Berglund back so quickly and I thought he really did make a difference on that line, he probably doesn't get enough credit for what he does because a lot of what he does doesn't show up in stats. You see that when he's not in there.

I'm getting the feeling that Randall doesn't like Joakim Lindstrom. Just a gut feeling, I could be way off.

Lindstrom is awful

I dont get to see many blues games living in Chicago and not willing to pay for Center ice due to my wedding later this year.

In the Washington game everytime I felt like the blues were playing terrible i saw Lindstrom on thei ce.

he is not alone in playing bad but he is the worst player on the team.

Like Guru said it might be time to take a peak at Regner.

See what you have

Blues are rolling. Keep it up. Love it when you're getting stellar play from both goalies. Blues seem to be able to play their game and not worry about who's in net.

I was surprised to see Berglund back so quickly and I thought he really did make a difference on that line, he probably doesn't get enough credit for what he does because a lot of what he does doesn't show up in stats. You see that when he's not in there.

I'm getting the feeling that Randall doesn't like Joakim Lindstrom. Just a gut feeling, I could be way off.
- bcallaway

Man, I thought Lindstrom was going to be good. He looked like the best player out there in a couple of the training camp practices I went to this year. Then the season started, and he hasn't looked good at at.

I don't think I would go as far as Randall has though. He is fine as an extra, and makes the right money for that job. Was hoping for a steal if he was a regular, but 700k for him is still good as an extra.

Keep it ruling with another win tonight! Oh, Allen looked good in net last night.

Man, I thought Lindstrom was going to be good. He looked like the best player out there in a couple of the training camp practices I went to this year. Then the season started, and he hasn't looked good at at.

I don't think I would go as far as Randall has though. He is fine as an extra, and makes the right money for that job. Was hoping for a steal if he was a regular, but 700k for him is still good as an extra.

Keep it ruling with another win tonight! Oh, Allen looked good in net last night.
- carcus

YOu have practice players and Game Players and apparently Lindstrom is a great practice player

Man, I thought Lindstrom was going to be good. He looked like the best player out there in a couple of the training camp practices I went to this year. Then the season started, and he hasn't looked good at at.

I don't think I would go as far as Randall has though. He is fine as an extra, and makes the right money for that job. Was hoping for a steal if he was a regular, but 700k for him is still good as an extra.

Keep it ruling with another win tonight! Oh, Allen looked good in net last night.
- carcus

How do you match up goalies for tonight and Sunday now? Basically the Blues are going to play two games in about 40 hours.... That's a quick turn around.

Do you play Elliot in both? Elliot tonight and Allen on Sunday? Allen tonight on back-to-back nights?

Inquiring clowns want to know.......

How do you match up goalies for tonight and Sunday now? Basically the Blues are going to play two games in about 40 hours.... That's a quick turn around.

Do you play Elliot in both? Elliot tonight and Allen on Sunday? Allen tonight on back-to-back nights?

Inquiring clowns want to know.......
- bcallaway

I would play Allen tonight and Ells on Sunday

Allen played well in his game vs Chicago earlier this season though

I would play Allen tonight and Ells on Sunday

Allen played well in his game vs Chicago earlier this season though
- sycsam

You have to go with Elliott vs Chicago. I agree play Allen again tonight.

How do you match up goalies for tonight and Sunday now? Basically the Blues are going to play two games in about 40 hours.... That's a quick turn around.

Do you play Elliot in both? Elliot tonight and Allen on Sunday? Allen tonight on back-to-back nights?

Inquiring clowns want to know.......
- bcallaway

I think they have already said they are playing Elliott against Chicago.

So either way, one will play two games close together. Allen back to back if he plays again tonight, Elliott if they play him tonight and then again against Chicago.

I think they were originally going to play Elliott tonight, but that might change with Allen getting the shut out.

I'll say this, I'd rather be a Buffalo Sabres fan than a Toronto Maple Leafs fan right now. Sure they lack speed, skill, and overall talent but at least they play hard and for the most part within a structure. Add Mcdavid or Eichel next year and in a few years they'll be a solid playoff team.

Yeah Guru it sucks having two guys playing their off side. It's not that bad when it's just one guy on the third pair but when when you have two guys it makes it that much easier for the other team to key in on them. I'm not too worried though, Shatty will be back ready to go for the playoffs. And they could still go out and bring in a righthander before the deadline.
- fattyboubatty

As much as this team has sucked the past 2 years I do agree with your opinion. Being a Laffs fans has got to be brutal. I will bet that the Sabres will be solid in 2016-2017 (2 yrs away). With McEichel and Reinhardt plus a few more solid prospects in the pipeline, toss in some free agents and they will be fine
.

As much as this team has sucked the past 2 years I do agree with your opinion. Being a Laffs fans has got to be brutal. I will bet that the Sabres will be solid in 2016-2017 (2 yrs away). With McEichel and Reinhardt plus a few more solid prospects in the pipeline, toss in some free agents and they will be fine
.
- Dannymik

Yeah or an Oiler's fan. They are in infinite rebuild mode.

Yeah or an Oilier's fan. They are in infinite rebuild mode.
- cuethenoise

Yup, a team that forgot about drafting goalies and defensive players... terrible management

So did Roy call Ericsson gutless and whatever else he said about Backes last year after he fought MacKimmon last night?

Doubtful

So did Roy call Ericsson gutless and whatever else he said about Backes last year after he fought MacKimmon last night?

Doubtful
- sycsam

No because Backes is a cheap, dirty, goon. Didn't you get the memo from the Blackhawks fans?

Yup, a team that forgot about drafting goalies and defensive players... terrible management
- Dannymik

I think goalies are best acquired via trades or ufa signing... drafting and developing takes upwards of 5 years...

No because Backes is a cheap, dirty, goon. Didn't you get the memo from the Blackhawks fans?
- cuethenoise

Must have gone to my spam folder

Just wanna say that I love reading your blogs, randal. I especially like your lack of bias. You point out the good AND THE BAD. Lots of fans are too afraid to do that.

However, before we just trash Lindstrom, we should realize a couple things. He did win Swedish Elite League MVP last year.... He also led his team to a second consecutive title last year. That's no coincidence. He definitely has talent. If we recall, in the first couple games this season, against new york and calgary, he was all over the ice, making plays.

Yes, yes, just because he can perform in the swedish elite league doesn't mean he can be as effective in the NHL. But, he is skilled. It was no coincidence that he was the 41st overall pick in 2002.

That being said, he has looked very lost since the beginning of the year.

Plus, with the depth this team has, he's forced to play on the 3rd and 4th line when he's put in the lineup. - Not a recipe for impressive offensive numbers...

I do think he would benefit better from playing with better linemates, even if he does appear to be a bit lost, but that's the way it goes. The better players are on the top lines.

There's just no place for him anymore in St. Louis. However, I think that he could serve as an asset for a rebuilding team, looking to add a top 6 forward with some skill. Maybe he and a first or second rounder could buy us some rental players that can help us on our cup run. Personally, I think our offense AND ESPECIALLY our D need to get bigger and more physical to beat chicago, Anaheim and LA (yes, I think LA will make the playoffs, despite their struggles). Lindstrom is trade bait at the deadline...

ESPECIALLY our D need to get bigger and more physical to beat chicago, Anaheim and LA (yes, I think LA will make the playoffs, despite their struggles). Lindstrom is trade bait at the deadline...
- yglassman

Management made a conscious decision to move away from a physical defense after last season. We are going to live and die with the purse swingers that we have now.

Management made a conscious decision to move away from a physical defense after last season. We are going to live and die with the purse swingers that we have now.
- Blues65

It's been working pretty good so far. We'll see if it works in the playoffs.

Just wanna say that I love reading your blogs, randal. I especially like your lack of bias. You point out the good AND THE BAD. Lots of fans are too afraid to do that.

However, before we just trash Lindstrom, we should realize a couple things. He did win Swedish Elite League MVP last year.... He also led his team to a second consecutive title last year. That's no coincidence. He definitely has talent. If we recall, in the first couple games this season, against new york and calgary, he was all over the ice, making plays.

Yes, yes, just because he can perform in the swedish elite league doesn't mean he can be as effective in the NHL. But, he is skilled. It was no coincidence that he was the 41st overall pick in 2002.

That being said, he has looked very lost since the beginning of the year.

Plus, with the depth this team has, he's forced to play on the 3rd and 4th line when he's put in the lineup. - Not a recipe for impressive offensive numbers...

I do think he would benefit better from playing with better linemates, even if he does appear to be a bit lost, but that's the way it goes. The better players are on the top lines.

There's just no place for him anymore in St. Louis. However, I think that he could serve as an asset for a rebuilding team, looking to add a top 6 forward with some skill. Maybe he and a first or second rounder could buy us some rental players that can help us on our cup run. Personally, I think our offense AND ESPECIALLY our D need to get bigger and more physical to beat chicago, Anaheim and LA (yes, I think LA will make the playoffs, despite their struggles). Lindstrom is trade bait at the deadline...
- yglassman

So why does Jaskin have more points on the third line? His scoring production is far greater.

Lidstrom can win awards in any league in the world and that does not mean you will succeed in the NHL as he has proven. He has the skills and his iq is a tick too slow for the NHL. He plays the perimeter, cannot win pucks battles in the corner or the front of the net which is a recipe for not producing in the NHL.