Randall Ritchey: Blues Dominate Oilers In Sobotka's Return The St. Louis Blues dominated the Edmonton Oilers in a big 6-2 win tonight featuring the return of Vladimir Sobotka.

Penalties, goals, and a lot of trash talking were the highlights in tonight's game against the Oilers. The Blues spoiled the return for David Perron but sweeping the Oilers in their season series, beating them tonight, 6-2.

On behalf of oilers nation, (frank) you guys!

In all honesty, blues are the team to beat in the west. Scary.

There's an outcome nobody saw coming... The blues beat up on the oilers!? Shocking.

Fun game to be at.

Can we have game threads? And can you talk about what you see is going on as far as weaknesses and strengths?

If I want to read a recap they have them all over the place by the AP.

And frankly the stats lie. After the first period I think the Blues were credited with seven scong chances.

I mean why aren't we talking about the cheap stuff going on the ice? Berglund looks to be injured and it was somehow not even a penalty. I was sticking my leg out for the puck is all.

We have the second line maybe call it a first line when Sobotka came back. That dude is a beast! Lock that guy up.

On espn they had a list of the top twenty or twenty-five ufas this off season and neither Berglund nor Sobotka somehow made that list while players like Hemsky did.

The Oilers are a shame. For a while they played a good game and then right back to sucking.

If Berglund is hurt it sucks because then Roy is in the line up.

On espn they had a list of the top twenty or twenty-five ufas this off season and neither Berglund nor Sobotka somehow made that list while players like Hemsky did.
- BluemanGuruu

Both are only RFA's.

Both are only RFA's.
- Antilles

That is incorrect.

I guess this does not count as Berglund's seventh season.

Interesting concerning Sobotka because he turns 27 on July 2nd. Also he signed his first contract may of 2007. As i understand 27yrs of age or seven years of nhl.

That is incorrect.

I guess this does not count as Berglund's seventh season.

Interesting concerning Sobotka because he turns 27 on July 2nd. Also he signed his first contract may of 2007. As i understand 27yrs of age or seven years of nhl.
- BluemanGuruu

I'm fairly certain I'm right.

Berglund will be 26 with 6 seasons of experience. RFA for sure.

Sobotka is 26 when his contract ends on June 30, which is the date that matters. Turning 27 on July 2 might as well be turning 27 on June 29 of the next year as far as UFA status is concerned. He also will only have 6 seasons played. You have to appear in at least 40 NHL games for a season to count towards the 7 needed for UFA status under age 27, and he only played in 25 games in 08/09. That means Sobotka is technically in his 6th season now. Had he been born 2 days earlier, or played 15 more games in 08/09, he would be UFA. Instead, we will hold his rights.

Randall Ritchey: Blues Dominate Oilers In Sobotka's Return
The St. Louis Blues dominated the Edmonton Oilers in a big 6-2 win tonight featuring the return of Vladimir Sobotka.

Penalties, goals, and a lot of trash talking were the highlights in tonight's game against the Oilers. The Blues spoiled the return for David Perron but sweeping the Oilers in their season series, beating them tonight, 6-2.
- Randall_Ritchey

Barret Jackman took a knee to the head from Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu and didn't move for a while. Actually look at a replay Jesse tried to jump over Jackman when he was laying on the ice and Jesse's skate caught Jackman's ear.I didn't know that players wore there skates on their knees. Also the butt end of Peterangelo's stick put in Hall's mouth should be reviewed with Peterangelo sitting out a few games for it.

Barret Jackman took a knee to the head from Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu and didn't move for a while. Actually look at a replay Jesse tried to jump over Jackman when he was laying on the ice and Jesse's skate caught Jackman's ear.I didn't know that players wore there skates on their knees. Also the butt end of Peterangelo's stick put in Hall's mouth should be reviewed with Peterangelo sitting out a few games for it.
- hunter3333

No one said the knee from Joensuu was intentional. However, after a player gets hit in the head/neck area by another players lower leg and is lying on the ice apparently unconscious and bleeding, a whistle should go. The reason why is first and most importantly: player safety. With a skate that near a neck, the difference between trainers getting there right away and 15 seconds later can be the difference between life and death if he sliced his carotid or had his brain knocked around severely enough. And those aren't things refs can tell at a glance. The much less important reason: as ref's are trying to see how severely the unmoving player is injured, they stop looking at the play. Letting Edmonton get away with a blatant goalie interference leading to a goal. Refs made a massive mistake not blowing their whistles, and will undoubtedly have to explain themselves to their superiors.

Petro clipped Hall with his stick the exact same way Perron hit Oshie with his on the same play. It was about as intentional as Hall's high stick on Roy earlier in the game. If they are going to start looking at and suspending players for that, expect Hall and Perron sitting the same number of games as Petro. And by the way, the butt end of the stick is actually the opposite end from the blade and the part that Hall caught in the face.

Welcome back Soboka.

I'm already on record as saying I prefer a (pre) game day blog over a recap of what I just watched.

I didn't really have a problem with the officials not whistling the play dead on the Jackman hit. He wasn't unconscious and wasn't gushing blood. Too many times I've seen it the other way where an official will blow the play dead on the Blues only to have the mortally wounded player not miss a shift.

Jackman was right back at the start of the 3rd period. The bigger issue was Miller being interferred with on the play.

Welcome back Soboka.

I'm already on record as saying I prefer a (pre) game day blog over a recap of what I just watched.

I didn't really have a problem with the officials not whistling the play dead on the Jackman hit. He wasn't unconscious and wasn't gushing blood. Too many times I've seen it the other way where an official will blow the play dead on the Blues only to have the mortally wounded player not miss a shift.

Jackman was right back at the start of the 3rd period. The bigger issue was Miller being interferred with on the play.
- bcallaway

I agree. It didn't look like it warranted stopping the play when we didn't have the puck.

I thought the refs were cowards though. Miller wanted to talk to the at the end of the period, and they just waved him off and skated off the ice. You are paid to ref, at least explain yourself or let the player give his take and say there is nothing you can do now.

And last night just solidified the fact that I don't miss Perron at all. He is a little punk, and fits in good in Edm. They probably didn't show it on tv, but after the game he went over and picked up the puck and put it inside his glove.

Great memorabilia there, a puck from a game that your team was demolished but at least you scored.

Blues are so much better off without him.

Welcome back Soboka.

I'm already on record as saying I prefer a (pre) game day blog over a recap of what I just watched.

I didn't really have a problem with the officials not whistling the play dead on the Jackman hit. He wasn't unconscious and wasn't gushing blood. Too many times I've seen it the other way where an official will blow the play dead on the Blues only to have the mortally wounded player not miss a shift.

Jackman was right back at the start of the 3rd period. The bigger issue was Miller being interferred with on the play.
- bcallaway

Jackman actually wasn't moving for a good bit there, can't really say if he was conscious. And do you really want refs waiting until blood is gushing enough for them to see it from 20 feet away to blow a whistle? Blues have accepted refs erring on the side of safety over and over. It's ridiculous there wasn't a whistle.

And yes, Jackman was right back at the start of the third. And there is no way a player who comes back and plays in the last period of a game after getting hit in the head could possibly miss nearly 100 games with a concussion, right?

Welcome back Soboka.

I'm already on record as saying I prefer a (pre) game day blog over a recap of what I just watched.

I didn't really have a problem with the officials not whistling the play dead on the Jackman hit. He wasn't unconscious and wasn't gushing blood. Too many times I've seen it the other way where an official will blow the play dead on the Blues only to have the mortally wounded player not miss a shift.

Jackman was right back at the start of the 3rd period. The bigger issue was Miller being interferred with on the play.
- bcallaway

I mean once they got the shot off you usually hear a whistle. But the interference twice on the same play of Miller was a joke. Hendricks was playing dirty. But I guess they figured the best thing was to go after the goalie.

This will be something the Blues will have to look out for as the season winds down and the play offs start.

I agree. It didn't look like it warranted stopping the play when we didn't have the puck.

I thought the refs were cowards though. Miller wanted to talk to the at the end of the period, and they just waved him off and skated off the ice. You are paid to ref, at least explain yourself or let the player give his take and say there is nothing you can do now.
- carcus

There is nothing I hate worst than an official not giving you an explanation or worst being an A hole about it. Usually at the NHL level they will try and calm the player down because at its essence the game is a form of entertainment and you want to keep cooler heads in the game.

And last night just solidified the fact that I don't miss Perron at all. He is a little punk, and fits in good in Edm. They probably didn't show it on tv, but after the game he went over and picked up the puck and put it inside his glove.

Great memorabilia there, a puck from a game that your team was demolished but at least you scored.

Blues are so much better off without him.
- carcus

That is so stupid. He was doing what he needed to do trying to win the game and get the Blues off of their game. He is not a bad player or a punk anymore than Sobotka is a punk or Backes. Those guys aren't angels.

Perron was chirping out there and getting under the blues players skin. Nothing wrong with it. I would love to have him back on our team.

Of course I believe you think Stewart is a better player and all.

Jackman actually wasn't moving for a good bit there, can't really say if he was conscious. And do you really want refs waiting until blood is gushing enough for them to see it from 20 feet away to blow a whistle? Blues have accepted refs erring on the side of safety over and over. It's ridiculous there wasn't a whistle.

And yes, Jackman was right back at the start of the third. And there is no way a player who comes back and plays in the last period of a game after getting hit in the head could possibly miss nearly 100 games with a concussion, right?
- Antilles

Good points.

But all the same the refs did not see anything to concern them other than waiting for the right moment to blow the play dead.

I think when you get scored on and there was gross interference on the play your emotions go up. If it were the other way I would not want the play blown dead especially since on similar plays a number of times this season they have blown it dead and the player gets up and skates away.

I think you are correct about Bergie and Sobie. I thought reading Berglund's signing lst year he was going to be a free agent. Good for us but that kind of sucks for Sobie and the age thing.

Jackman actually wasn't moving for a good bit there, can't really say if he was conscious. And do you really want refs waiting until blood is gushing enough for them to see it from 20 feet away to blow a whistle? Blues have accepted refs erring on the side of safety over and over. It's ridiculous there wasn't a whistle.

And yes, Jackman was right back at the start of the third. And there is no way a player who comes back and plays in the last period of a game after getting hit in the head could possibly miss nearly 100 games with a concussion, right?
- Antilles

He was down on his elbows and knees (like the old tornado drills from elementary school).

You can tell when a guy is out cold, he wasn't. Dazed, I'm sure but he didn't look to me like he was in dire distress. I can understand the sentiment on both sides of the argument, personally, I was OK with the play continuing.

Barret Jackman took a knee to the head from Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu and didn't move for a while. Actually look at a replay Jesse tried to jump over Jackman when he was laying on the ice and Jesse's skate caught Jackman's ear.I didn't know that players wore there skates on their knees. Also the butt end of Peterangelo's stick put in Hall's mouth should be reviewed with Peterangelo sitting out a few games for it.
- hunter3333

Jackman was laying out on the ice for most of that play. Whistle should have been blown.

Good game. I love watching the Blues pour it on the Oilers. You can definitely tell there's no love lost between our boys and Perron.

That is so stupid. He was doing what he needed to do trying to win the game and get the Blues off of their game. He is not a bad player or a punk anymore than Sobotka is a punk or Backes. Those guys aren't angels.

Perron was chirping out there and getting under the blues players skin. Nothing wrong with it. I would love to have him back on our team.

Of course I believe you think Stewart is a better player and all.
- BluemanGuruu

There are elements to his game that work. The biggest problem I have with DP57 is to be a guy whose career was nearly ruined because of a shot to the head to be the guy running around and trying to incite things.

Pulling guys heads down and their helmets off and after the whistle shenanigans.

I saw the best and worst of DP57 last night, skating and scoring a nice goal only later to puck handle the puck and dingle-dangle around until the clock expired at the end of the period. Hysterical.

I think he's still immature and despite his talent, the Blues are a better group without him.

That is so stupid. He was doing what he needed to do trying to win the game and get the Blues off of their game. He is not a bad player or a punk anymore than Sobotka is a punk or Backes. Those guys aren't angels.

Perron was chirping out there and getting under the blues players skin. Nothing wrong with it. I would love to have him back on our team.

Of course I believe you think Stewart is a better player and all.
- BluemanGuruu

He needed to start stuff and then turtle? If that is his game, I am glad he is gone. Sobotka & Backes start plenty, but they don't run off or do everything that they can to get a linesman between them. Did you see Perron go down in one scrum and hold onto the Blues player like a child to his teddy bear??? It was pathetic. I wouldn't love to have him back, glad he is doing great things in Edmonton.

Guess what, I don't care about Stewart. I don't care about Brewer. Even though I am still a fan of Halak, don't care about him either right now. You can name off countless former Blues playing for other teams. Don't care about them either.

Guess what, I don't care about Stewart. I don't care about Brewer. Even though I am still a fan of Halak, don't care about him either right now. You can name off countless former Blues playing for other teams. Don't care about them either.
- carcus

What about Brad Boyes? You forgot about Brad Boyes.


I'll take Carcus Man Crushes for $800, Alex.

What about Brad Boyes? You forgot about Brad Boyes.


I'll take Carcus Man Crushes for $800, Alex.
- bcallaway

Still great in the shootout!

By the way, he was included in all other former Blues players.