2018 - 2019 Blues (Hockey) Season

[GeddyWrox]

Yep, that's a really nice look at the differences. The depth of this team is a huge strength.

[Freed Roger]

Tank taking that penalty shot was a thing of beauty. I know a lot of guys can make it look easy, but man, he made that look really easy.

They broke it down on NHL Network this morning. Jones played it terribly--came out of the goal, then instead of pacing back as normal he just stood there frozen. Tank did a great job sniping the top corner glove side, but the whole blocker side of the goal was open too. He had his choice of shots he could take.

Shooters should shoot and dekers should deke. I guess Jones thought he would just react to whatever shot Tarasenko decided to take knowing that he likely wouldn't try to deke, but he left way too many holes open.

Yeah, that was the dagger there. I know they got one more to win and Sharks still a good team, but seems like the Blues have them figured out, as well as knocked a bunch out.. How about the way the D shut down Couture?

[Popeye_Card]

(a bunch of good stuff)

Totally agree that depth has been huge. That was the design of the team--not a whole lot of top-6 skill other than Tarasenko and O'Reilly, but very good players filling out the 3rd and 4th lines. Having a guy like Steen on that "4th line" that still has some offensive skill that you can put out there in checking situations has been great. Really it has been that way on the defensive side too. With Jaybo having a great season, that has allowed us to mix and match 5 decent defensemen into the rotation, and allows us to have a Dunn lost to injury but not skip a beat. Del Zotto isn't great, but he sure is nice to still have around in case we lose another LHD.

Binnington is a big factor in how they've been able to have greater success with generally the same system too. The system would work in the past when we were getting good goalie play. But with Allen's inconsistency, when he was off the Blues would get completely off their game. The steadiness of Binnington allows them to make minor adjustments and trust that if they do their part, Binnington will clean up the scraps. You won't work your butt off just to have your goalie let in a softie.

And speaking of adjustments, Berube has been able to identify and make them where Hitchcock and Yeo would just shake up lines and hope for better results.

[Jocephus]

i certainly don't know anything about coaching in NHL or hockey etc but i like listening to berube in the pressers, sometimes seems a bit prickly. his wiki says he was "an enforcer" (which i understand role conceptually) when he played and i wonder how that does/may effect his coaching.

[GeddyWrox]

i certainly don't know anything about coaching in NHL or hockey etc but i like listening to berube in the pressers, sometimes seems a bit prickly. his wiki says he was "an enforcer" (which i understand role conceptually) when he played and i wonder how that does/may effect his coaching.

Berube's former life as an NHL enforcer definitely gives him some extra oomph with the players. They all sound like they would do anything to avoid letting him down. They also like to joke about no one on the team would want to take him on.

[Freed Roger]

I am wondering if former enforcer to becoming NHL coach is similar to utility man or backup catcher becoming MLB coach.

Required a savvy and knowledge to stick around the game. A student of the game that had to pull opponents sweater over his head for a good pummeling every now and then..... grb hockey experts, what say you. ?

I will take your answer off the air- Time to take my dose of Kelly Chase Triple T Pack testosterone booster.

[JCShutout]

i certainly don't know anything about coaching in NHL or hockey etc but i like listening to berube in the pressers, sometimes seems a bit prickly. his wiki says he was "an enforcer" (which i understand role conceptually) when he played and i wonder how that does/may effect his coaching.

Berube's former life as an NHL enforcer definitely gives him some extra oomph with the players. They all sound like they would do anything to avoid letting him down. They also like to joke about no one on the team would want to take him on.

Berube has put on some weight, as many do when they get older (and athletes stop working out every day), but he looks like the kinda of guy where even if he "lost" the fight, the "winner" have to crawl home unhappy.

[GeddyWrox]

[sighyoung]

[heyzeus]

Ugh, I have to be working during the game tuesday night now.