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It really is hard to think about where we'd be without Allen in that series. Wild took 56% of the shots and won 58% of the faceoffs, yet we won.

MrCrowesGarden wrote:It really is hard to think about where we'd be without Allen in that series. Wild took 56% of the shots and won 58% of the faceoffs, yet we won.

Is there a team possession metric? I'd bet MINN had a big advantage there too. Possibly even bigger than the shots and faceoff numbers.

lukethedrifter wrote:

JCShutout wrote:

AWvsCBsteeeerike3 wrote:

JCShutout wrote:Blues take a 3-0 series lead. Lay an egg in game 4. Blow a 3-1 third period lead in game 5... I've been a Blues fan far too long to come to any conclusion other than, this series is over. Min in 7.

The reverse jinx is real!!!!

They're just trying to lull me into a false sense of security so I take my metaphorical cup off for the inevitable kick to the nuts. Not gonna work. 28 years of nutcracker performances has me always ready for a Blues letdown. Hell, if the Blues actually won the cup, I'd probably have to wait a few weeks before celebrating. You never know. The NHL could take away the cup win and 5 first round picks because Armstrong said, "hey" to a potential RFA or something.

Are you old enough to remember the Scott Stevens lubeless reaming?

Yes, that is what I was referencing. I became a fan in 88, just a couple of years before all that mess.

Anyways, Nashville is tough, but so are the Blues. I can see the series going either way.

GeddyWrox wrote:

MrCrowesGarden wrote:It really is hard to think about where we'd be without Allen in that series. Wild took 56% of the shots and won 58% of the faceoffs, yet we won.

Is there a team possession metric? I'd bet MINN had a big advantage there too. Possibly even bigger than the shots and faceoff numbers.

I can't remember if I said this earlier in the thread, but last series reminded me somewhat of 2001 vs Colorado. The Blues outshot the Avs a bunch, but the Avs kept everything to the outside and cleared rebounds and had more scoring chances. (Plus the Blues had the Roman Turek funhouse playoff fiasco) Allen made some incredible saves for sure, and did steal at least games one and two, but I really think the Blues were right there even or better with the Wild in scoring chances.

JCShutout wrote:

GeddyWrox wrote:

MrCrowesGarden wrote:It really is hard to think about where we'd be without Allen in that series. Wild took 56% of the shots and won 58% of the faceoffs, yet we won.

Is there a team possession metric? I'd bet MINN had a big advantage there too. Possibly even bigger than the shots and faceoff numbers.

I can't remember if I said this earlier in the thread, but last series reminded me somewhat of 2001 vs Colorado. The Blues outshot the Avs a bunch, but the Avs kept everything to the outside and cleared rebounds and had more scoring chances. (Plus the Blues had the Roman Turek funhouse playoff fiasco) Allen made some incredible saves for sure, and did steal at least games one and two, but I really think the Blues were right there even or better with the Wild in scoring chances.

I think this was Bernie Miklasz's point about the series--that the Blues were, indeed, limiting good scoring chances and rebounds.

Saw a stat that Allen had a 1.000 save percentage in the Wild series on shots from 15-25 feet, vs. him being below 0.900 on those shots for the season. I think that is a combination of him playing an excellent series with his mechanics, and the Blues' defensemen only allowing shots from that distance that Allen was able to square up on / see. The commentators consistently praised how well the Blues defended inside the house during that series, and I agree. Minnesota would hold long possessions, but they generally were holding/shooting the puck from low percentage zones.

All that said, the Blues offense was pretty poor. Passing wasn't crisp, had trouble penetrating Minnesota's house, etc. It will need to be better to beat Nashville.

The Blues offense consisted of guys trying to see who could drop pass the most, it became infuriating to watch when we'd finally have a good breakout that would get ruined by a bad drop pass instead of going to the net.

Got a great text on my way to the park to watch softball last night, I'll be at the game Friday! A friend got free tickets from one of her vendors. We'll be about 17 rows back at center ice in the lower bowl. I guess I'll take that for free.

Nothing to get you revved up like a nice long injury delay where they take the guy off on a stretcher.

WOOO!