Posted:
#1
As a Blues fan I have a lot more other concerns than their supposed lack of experience. The Blues aren't going to lose this series (or any series) because of lack of experience. They'll lose because of the other reasons stated below. Arnott, Langenbrunner, and McDonald have been thru the wars and provide the experience and veteran leadership. Their coach has also seen it all. Many of the Blues other players got their first taste of playoff hockey 3 years ago vs Vancouver. Halak did okay a couple of years ago, did he not? This will be the first taste for Petro and Shattenkirk.
Concerns
1. Size & Lack of Depth on Defense
This is the most often overlooked weakness for this team. Jackman and Polak aren't very tall, but they are very stout so I'm not concerned about them. I would bet both of them will receive more ice time than any other d-man with the exception of Pietrangelo and eventually be paired together again. I expect San Jose to use their forward beef and unload on Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk, Russell, and Colaiacovo.
Petro is tall, but not physical at all. Detroit of all teams learned to constantly run him during their 3 home games vs STL. He was ineffective in all of those games and the Blues lost all three. Petro is super smooth, but still tends to put himself in bad positions next to the boards with opposing wingers bearing down on him. The Blues #1 need in the off season will be to find a sturdy left handed shooting d-man that can be paired with Petro. CC is nowhere near that player.
Shattenkirk and Russell are both small and shifty, but how will they respond and hold up to the physical beating they will take from the Sharks much larger forwards? I'm not expecting the results to be positive for Blues fans.
Carlo will be laying on the ice looking like he was taken out by a sniper after he is run a few times.
Ian Cole and Kent Huskins are waiting in the wings as the spare d-men. Cole is stout, but hasn't played much at all down the stretch. Huskins has size, but never uses it to his advantage.
I know the game is different now than it was 10-15 years ago, but I can't believe Hitchcock is thrilled with his undersized blue line. Back in his Dallas days he had Zubov and Sydor running the PP and the outlet passes. But he had big men playing behind them that could take and deliver punishment. Hatcher & Matvichuk were the 2nd pair. If memory serves, Ludwig and Chambers were the 5th and 6th d-men on their Cup team.
2. Fatigue & Injuries
The Blues basically played playoff type hockey all season long. They are maxed out and do not have another gear. Most other teams including SJ floated thru stretches of their schedule and saved some for the end. The Blues gobbled up a lot of points against teams that didn't bring it. It is no coincidence that the Blues faded in the last 10 games or so. Other teams were finally playing desperate and the Blues chemistry actually fell apart once all of the injured players finally returned.
Backes, Oshie, & Petro have played a lot of important and hard minutes this year. Backes has been fighting thru an undisclosed injury and has not been his usual physical force for the last month. Oshie also has looked fatigued and/or banged up. If Petro is ineffective, the Blues have no chance.
Arnott has looked gas for the last month and Hitchcock has given him some time off to recharge the batteries.
3. Go to Guy on Offense
Everyone knows the Blues don't have that guy known as the go to guy, game breaker, difference maker, stud, or whatever else you want to call a forward with goal scoring ability. Perron and McDonald are the most skilled Blues forwards, but this team must get goals from all lines to have a chance. They are somewhat similar to Nashville in that regard.
You can ask the average hockey fan who is the Blues best forward and you might get 6 different answers. Obviously Backes is their best overall forward, but he is not a natural talent and is a poor passer. Berglund is not a top 6 type forward talent even though he is the Blues 2nd line center.
4. Size on the Wing
The Blues have great size down the middle save for their 4th liner, but are way too small on the wing on their top two lines. Perron, Oshie, McDonald, & Steen are their top 4 wingers. Perron and McDonald are not physical at all and are undersized. Oshie is small, but can dish and take punishment. Steen has decent size, but can be eliminated from a play by a bigger opponent.
Stewart has good size, but rarely uses it. He will be the wildcard for the Blues. Will he finally show up this year or will he be in the press box after a game or two?
Sobotka is another midget even though he plays bigger than he is. Langenbrunner has seen it all and knows how to play in the spring so I'm not concerned about him.
I think there is a real good chance that D'Agostini never suits up vs the Sharks and that Crombeen and/or Reaves will be in the lineup to give the Blues size and nastiness on the 4th line. Porter is another option. I don't think Schwartz will see any action unless the Blues are shutout in a couple of games.
0
this series is making my head spin
!
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