Hitting your opponent into submission only works if you can push the series to 6 games

[blackinkbiz]

That's usually how long it takes for multiple games of big hits to take their toll.

The problem is it takes more energy to make a big hit than it does to take one. Plus it invites retaliation which, if you have young--and dumb--players, will cost you, as it did with Bolduc and Neighbours this game.

I know the Blues are without Holloway but the Jets are missing two of their top 6 as well. Blues should focus more on their transition game and getting in behind the Jets defense. The Jets' forwards are definitely their strength, but I saw a lot of potential for Blues to compete if they focus on passing instead of flipping pucks and getting the puck deep to pressure the Jets D.

Hopefully Monty will make some good changes.

[Harold_Melvin]

That's usually how long it takes for multiple games of big hits to take their toll.

The problem is it takes more energy to make a big hit than it does to take one. Plus it invites retaliation which, if you have young--and dumb--players, will cost you, as it did with Bolduc and Neighbours this game.

I know the Blues are without Holloway but the Jets are missing two of their top 6 as well. Blues should focus more on their transition game and getting in behind the Jets defense. The Jets' forwards are definitely their strength, but I saw a lot of potential for Blues to compete if they focus on passing instead of flipping pucks and getting the puck deep to pressure the Jets D.

Hopefully Monty will make some good changes.

The Blues will be lucky to make it to 6 games IMO. But they did the dirty work tonight by hitting everything is sight. If it gets to 7 then...Yeah!

[bud white]

The physical play also distracts. Get lit up by Walker, turn to get a secondary whack and you end up losing coverage on a skilled player. And it adds up over the course of a series.

Physical play and discipline play a massive role in playoff success at the highest levels. Let's see how it plays out. Playoffs are all about making adjustments.

[blackinkbiz]

The physical play also distracts. Get lit up by Walker, turn to get a secondary whack and you end up losing coverage on a skilled player. And it adds up over the course of a series.

Physical play and discipline play a massive role in playoff success at the highest levels. Let's see how it plays out. Playoffs are all about making adjustments.

Yeah, when a hit is there, by all means take it, but they were clearly wasting a lot of energy and time trying to send a message with the hits. I guess it was working until the 3rd, but Blues may have punched themselves out by then because they were toast by the 3rd.

[seattleblue]

I think the title is exactly what the Blues' theory of the case is, and watching it I thought, huh, Schenn reminded everyone why they won in 2019, didn't he?

They are basically going to do this and hope they can win 2 out of 5 along the way so they can get it to 6 which means they can get it to 7. It might or might not work but I can assure you if they didn't have this approach people would be screaming louder about letting the Jets get untracked and get their game going than they are about tiring themselves out with too much hitting. Pick your poison I think this is the right poison for this series.

[Pierre McGuire]

Hit and pound…Buch tried to end the series for Scheifele on the first shift..he just missed. It’s the playoffs…pound them until they fold. They were all over Pionk yesterday…need to see more of it in game 2. Pound the crud out of Morrissey as well. These guys should barely be able to skate by game 7.

[TAFKAP]

Hit and pound…Buch tried to end the series for Scheifele on the first shift..he just missed. It’s the playoffs…pound them until they fold. They were all over Pionk yesterday…need to see more of it in game 2. Pound the crud out of Morrissey as well. These guys should barely be able to skate by game 7.

100% this. By Game 3 every time the Jets go into the corner, they'll be more concerned with looking over their shoulder than making a play. I didn't see the 3rd, but having it tied late in the 3rd against a team you have struggled against since 2020, in a home game for them where they lost only 7 games all year, it's to be expected. Snuggerud was playing NCAA just a couple weeks ago. Bolduc only played 25 games in the NHL last year. Neighbours now has 1 playoff game under his belt, this is necessary. Look, I want to see this team kick the [shirt] out of the Jets, but, if they play every game this hard and still come up short so be it.

[Old_Goat]

The three youngsters were caught up in the excitement, the significance and newness of it all. Bolduc was scanning the crowd and ice during the national anthems. Neighbours was a tad undisciplined. I realize that they have played in Junior Championships, NCAA Championships and other pressure situations -- almost always against others very close to their same age. But this is THE best league in the world with playoffs that are recognized by just about everyone as probably the most intense and strenuous in all of sports.
These young guys are quick learners and capable. We were on top first, came back, went back on top for quite awhile against the best team record during the season, and against likeliest the top goalie, playing in game 1 of the series on the road. It was not a blowout.
Keep the lineup the same. No need to indicate there is potentially lack of full confidence in any of them. (Obviously, if Holloway showed up healthy & ready, that would not be a knock on whomever was pulled out for him.)
Win the next two games...that will solve it.

[rezero]

The OP is wrong about hits. Hitting a finesse team like Jets helps with turnovers and keeping them off their game. Blues need to absolutely hammer them early and often. When Nlues were playing aggressive in first period we were getting turnovers and keeping the puck in the offensive zone significantly more.

Here is an interesting stat….

Period 1: Hits Blues 32, Shot Differential Blues +1
Period 2: Hits Blues 13, Shot differential Jets +3
Period 3: Hits Blues 8, Shot differential Jets +7

With that said you need to understand the difference between playing physical and stupid. The young guys got caught up in the moment and started letting their emotion control their play.

[hotrivets]

The physical play also distracts. Get lit up by Walker, turn to get a secondary whack and you end up losing coverage on a skilled player. And it adds up over the course of a series.

Physical play and discipline play a massive role in playoff success at the highest levels. Let's see how it plays out. Playoffs are all about making adjustments.

+1

[blues2112]

Hit and pound…Buch tried to end the series for Scheifele on the first shift..he just missed. It’s the playoffs…pound them until they fold. They were all over Pionk yesterday…need to see more of it in game 2. Pound the crud out of Morrissey as well. These guys should barely be able to skate by game 7.

100% this. By Game 3 every time the Jets go into the corner, they'll be more concerned with looking over their shoulder than making a play. I didn't see the 3rd, but having it tied late in the 3rd against a team you have struggled against since 2020, in a home game for them where they lost only 7 games all year, it's to be expected. Snuggerud was playing NCAA just a couple weeks ago. Bolduc only played 25 games in the NHL last year. Neighbours now has 1 playoff game under his belt, this is necessary. Look, I want to see this team kick the [shirt] out of the Jets, but, if they play every game this hard and still come up short so be it.

+200 percent.

Rezero also 100 percent correct.

[blackinkbiz]

The OP is wrong about hits. Hitting a finesse team like Jets helps with turnovers and keeping them off their game. Blues need to absolutely hammer them early and often. When Nlues were playing aggressive in first period we were getting turnovers and keeping the puck in the offensive zone significantly more.

Here is an interesting stat….

Period 1: Hits Blues 32, Shot Differential Blues +1
Period 2: Hits Blues 13, Shot differential Jets +3
Period 3: Hits Blues 8, Shot differential Jets +7

With that said you need to understand the difference between playing physical and stupid. The young guys got caught up in the moment and started letting their emotion control their play.

I was referring to physical play vs stupid, hence the hyperbolic reference to "hitting your opponent into submission." Did you not see the rest about it inviting retaliation which causes young players to do stupid things and the fact that going out of your way to try and hit anything that moves expends more energy than it negates.

Everyone said the Blues looked exhausted in the 3rd period. If it's because they used up all their energy taking 50 ft routes into hits, they need to be smarter about playing physical. I saw multiple hits where a Blues player skated across half the ice to finish a check.

That energy can be better used.

[bud white]

While listening to the Canadian media - there are many that are sending mixed signals. Great that the Jets rebounded to win the game, but quick to point out that "playoff Hellebuyck" has returned.

[Tony Palazzolo]

You know that massive hit Kyrou took slowed him down. Quite frankly I was happy that he could continue to play. Physicality takes a collective toll as the series goes on. They may not last that long but without the physical game they have little chance to win the series.