2018 - 2019 Blues (Hockey) Season

[GeddyWrox]

Heh

Smallest possible non-zero sample size

[GeddyWrox]

At the Tool concert last night, I think half the crowd was following the game score on their phone. There was a short intermission that coincided with the end of the game and we all started chanting Lets Go Blues as the clock wound down. Pretty cool.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

Really impressed they won that game after Courturrerrererrrr scored twice in a minute and a half to tie the game up. The first goal, come on Petro. The second goal, come on Binnington. But, other than that, what a good game. Did a good job creating opportunities, I swear it could have been 3-0 in the first with a few better bounces/passes. And, they did a good job limiting space for the sharks to get going.

The sharks have won every game 1 at home and lost every game 2 at home this year, so it's not like they pulled off the impossible. But, always good to take home ice advantage away even if it means very little.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

The blues power play is still atrocious though. Would be nice if they could do something there.

[tlombard]

I forget what the question was after the game but I think the most amazing thing I saw last night was Berube actually laughed during a talk with the media.

[JCShutout]

Yeah, 2nd goal was one Binny has to stop. Good quick shot by LC, but Binny's gotta take the 5 hole away when you see the shot clearly.

He bounced back well though. Some good saves in the 3rd. Kid just doesn't let stuff get to him.

[Popeye_Card]

The blues power play is still atrocious though. Would be nice if they could do something there.

Good lord yes. I feel like the Stars got in their heads, and that has spilled over into this series while somehow getting even worse.

You watch our opponents easily be able to set up the cycle once they gain the zone. The Blues have been getting in there and somehow have no space, with every pass attempt not connecting. Ugh.

[Freed Roger]

The blues power play is still atrocious though. Would be nice if they could do something there.

Good lord yes. I feel like the Stars got in their heads, and that has spilled over into this series while somehow getting even worse.

You watch our opponents easily be able to set up the cycle once they gain the zone. The Blues have been getting in there and somehow have no space, with every pass attempt not connecting. Ugh.

Perhaps a good sign, they are where they are without a good power play. Same goes for Taransenko not scoring. If these get on track, like it was in the 11 game win streak, Blues will be hard to beat.

[GeddyWrox]

I've never played ice hockey. Can someone (JC?) who played fill me in? Are the Blues doing something different during their power plays as opposed to when they're 5 on 5? If you can control play as much as they do 5 on 5, then why the F can you not also do so 5 on 4??? It seems to me like you should just pretend like they still have 5 players and do what you do. Am I off base??

[Popeye_Card]

A few factors. Your PP units are typically completely different lines than you roll with 5-on-5. The Blues have been going with 1 defenseman (subject to change now). They also run more set plays, seeking certain outcomes. Get Tarasenko open for a wrist shot, get Maroon established in front of the goal for a deflection/rebound, etc. 5-on-5 is usually more free-wheeling. Attack whatever gap the defense has given you.

If you watch the Blues PK, they typically hold a tighter formation that invites point shots or long poor-angle shots. They trust Binnington to stop these shots, and the D men to clear any rebounds. It has worked pretty well, but it also gives the appearance that opponents can endlessly cycle the puck around the perimeter.

The Stars employed a more aggressive PK against the Blues that the Sharks have copied. They learned quickly that you can’t sag on Tarasenko, and you don’t want to give Dunn or Petro clear shots from the point. Playing tighter leaves the “house” (area between the goal and the faceoff dots) more open and vulnerable to high percentage shot chances, but the Blues have demonstrated that they aren’t connecting on passes or dekeing out defenders to exploit this zone. Perron and Thomas have the best hands on the team to make these moves, but they haven’t been effective. Forcing passes have led to the breakaways and short-handed chances. Petro got a lot of flack for that turnover, but he was trying to make the right play for what the defense has been giving us.