Game 4: Texier out/Joseph in

[NE Blues Fan]

I thought Texier had a solid game in game 3. The team had an excellent game overall. I'm surprised they are pulling Texier out for this one. He certainly bring better puck control and offensive ability to that third line. I certainly have faith in Monty's moves, but I was wondering what others thought of this move.

[DawgDad]

PK? I would expect some penalties.

[Harry S Deals]

Hmm yea surprised as well I thought Texier played pretty well. It's the doghouse battle

[Harry York 37]

PK? I would expect some penalties.

This begs the question- which "more valuable" forward has to cover for Joseph when he sits?
I don't have an idea.

[DawgDad]

PK? I would expect some penalties.

This begs the question- which "more valuable" forward has to cover for Joseph when he sits?
I don't have an idea.

The Blues primary PK forwards appear to be:
Thomas-Buchnevich
Toropchenko-Faksa
Walker-Sundqvist

Joseph had 39 seconds in Game 1, Texier had zero in Game 3. So, PK likely has little to nothing to do with the Joaeph/Texier decision. I shouldn't assume.

[kimzey59]

Given how last game went(128 combined hits); I get the move if we're expecting a repeat.
Tex played well, but he's not exactly "well suited" to an ultra-physical contest. Joseph is better suited to the crash and bang play style.

[DawgDad]

Given how last game went(128 combined hits); I get the move if we're expecting a repeat.
Tex played well, but he's not exactly "well suited" to an ultra-physical contest. Joseph is better suited to the crash and bang play style.

Not my intent to rip on Joseph but he comes up short on what Barbs and Sunny brought in 2019. He's got the plus speed and much of the tenacity but he isn't much of a scoring threat and he's not in the same class as a physical threat.

[Bluesfan1978]

I would have played the same lineup. Texier makes the 3rd line a bit of a threat offensively

[Harry York 37]

I would have played the same lineup. Texier makes the 3rd line a bit of a threat offensively

I agree. Changing a lineup after a big win is odd.
I get the feeling Texier, the only player raised in France to play in the NHL for at least a year, is nowhere near the locker room presence Joseph is. Joseph will bang hard and has dropped the gloves at least once and it gave the team a lift when he did. Joseph gave us Jobu, I hear, and that is significant even as it is superstitious.
Just spitballing’ when I don’t grasp a more obvious reason.

[netboy65]

I would have played the same lineup. Texier makes the 3rd line a bit of a threat offensively

I agree. Changing a lineup after a big win is odd.
I get the feeling Texier, the only player raised in France to play in the NHL for at least a year, is nowhere near the locker room presence Joseph is. Joseph will bang hard and has dropped the gloves at least once and it gave the team a lift when he did. Joseph gave us Jobu, I hear, and that is significant even as it is superstitious.
Just spitballing’ when I don’t grasp a more obvious reason.

Wasn’t Philippe Bozon French?

In regards to Tex v Joseph, Texier had the habit this year of following a good game with a couple mediocre ones, so maybe Monty is just trying to stay ahead of the game.

[Harry York 37]

I would have played the same lineup. Texier makes the 3rd line a bit of a threat offensively

I agree. Changing a lineup after a big win is odd.
I get the feeling Texier, the only player raised in France to play in the NHL for at least a year, is nowhere near the locker room presence Joseph is. Joseph will bang hard and has dropped the gloves at least once and it gave the team a lift when he did. Joseph gave us Jobu, I hear, and that is significant even as it is superstitious.
Just spitballing’ when I don’t grasp a more obvious reason.

Wasn’t Philippe Bozon French?

In regards to Tex v Joseph, Texier had the habit this year of following a good game with a couple mediocre ones, so maybe Monty is just trying to stay ahead of the game.

Bozon was. He lasted 2-3 years, I believe. Less than two dozen Frenchmen have ever played in the NHL.

I hear ya about good and mediocre games.

I am not imagining things. there was a two or three game stretch when Texier showed us what he was capable of.
I saw a single glimpse of that last game. If he wakes up… he helps us, real good.

[netboy65]

I would have played the same lineup. Texier makes the 3rd line a bit of a threat offensively

I agree. Changing a lineup after a big win is odd.
I get the feeling Texier, the only player raised in France to play in the NHL for at least a year, is nowhere near the locker room presence Joseph is. Joseph will bang hard and has dropped the gloves at least once and it gave the team a lift when he did. Joseph gave us Jobu, I hear, and that is significant even as it is superstitious.
Just spitballing’ when I don’t grasp a more obvious reason.

Wasn’t Philippe Bozon French?

In regards to Tex v Joseph, Texier had the habit this year of following a good game with a couple mediocre ones, so maybe Monty is just trying to stay ahead of the game.

Bozon was. He lasted 2-3 years, I believe. Less than two dozen Frenchmen have ever played in the NHL.

I hear ya about good and mediocre games.

I am not imagining things. there was a two or three game stretch when Texier showed us what he was capable of.
I saw a single glimpse of that last game. If he wakes up… he helps us, real good.

Perhaps, but a 3rd line guy whether AT or MJ, tomayto, tomahto. Just keep crashing the net

[Harry York 37]

I would have played the same lineup. Texier makes the 3rd line a bit of a threat offensively

I agree. Changing a lineup after a big win is odd.
I get the feeling Texier, the only player raised in France to play in the NHL for at least a year, is nowhere near the locker room presence Joseph is. Joseph will bang hard and has dropped the gloves at least once and it gave the team a lift when he did. Joseph gave us Jobu, I hear, and that is significant even as it is superstitious.
Just spitballing’ when I don’t grasp a more obvious reason.

Wasn’t Philippe Bozon French?

In regards to Tex v Joseph, Texier had the habit this year of following a good game with a couple mediocre ones, so maybe Monty is just trying to stay ahead of the game.

Bozon was. He lasted 2-3 years, I believe. Less than two dozen Frenchmen have ever played in the NHL.

I hear ya about good and mediocre games.

I am not imagining things. there was a two or three game stretch when Texier showed us what he was capable of.
I saw a single glimpse of that last game. If he wakes up… he helps us, real good.

Perhaps, but a 3rd line guy whether AT or MJ, tomayto, tomahto. Just keep crashing the net

Fair enough, but Texier has the third best shot on the entire team from what I have seen. He had a laser just from inside the blue line that Hellebuyck could not even control for a big rebound., tipped one in front and drew a penalty as he threatened their net.
He also rang one off the inside of the post on his first shift.
So frustrating as have seen him when he shines.

[netboy65]

I would have played the same lineup. Texier makes the 3rd line a bit of a threat offensively

I agree. Changing a lineup after a big win is odd.
I get the feeling Texier, the only player raised in France to play in the NHL for at least a year, is nowhere near the locker room presence Joseph is. Joseph will bang hard and has dropped the gloves at least once and it gave the team a lift when he did. Joseph gave us Jobu, I hear, and that is significant even as it is superstitious.
Just spitballing’ when I don’t grasp a more obvious reason.

Wasn’t Philippe Bozon French?

In regards to Tex v Joseph, Texier had the habit this year of following a good game with a couple mediocre ones, so maybe Monty is just trying to stay ahead of the game.

Bozon was. He lasted 2-3 years, I believe. Less than two dozen Frenchmen have ever played in the NHL.

I hear ya about good and mediocre games.

I am not imagining things. there was a two or three game stretch when Texier showed us what he was capable of.
I saw a single glimpse of that last game. If he wakes up… he helps us, real good.

Perhaps, but a 3rd line guy whether AT or MJ, tomayto, tomahto. Just keep crashing the net

Fair enough, but Texier has the third best shot on the entire team from what I have seen. He had a laser just from inside the blue line that Hellebuyck could not even control for a big rebound., tipped one in front and drew a penalty as he threatened their net.
He also rang one off the inside of the post on his first shift.
So frustrating as have seen him when he shines.

For sure Texier has the physical tools, that’s what makes him so frustrating. We’ve all seen it, just not consistently

[2forDiving]

I wonder if it has anything to do with the Jets seemingly targeting Bolduc. He took a couple late hits and then was penalized twice (only one led to a PK), but I wonder if the thought is Joseph can come in and provide a little more “cover” for Bolduc and may know when to stop before crossing the line and ending up in the penalty box.

[blackinkbiz]

I would have played the same lineup. Texier makes the 3rd line a bit of a threat offensively

I agree. Changing a lineup after a big win is odd.
I get the feeling Texier, the only player raised in France to play in the NHL for at least a year, is nowhere near the locker room presence Joseph is. Joseph will bang hard and has dropped the gloves at least once and it gave the team a lift when he did. Joseph gave us Jobu, I hear, and that is significant even as it is superstitious.
Just spitballing’ when I don’t grasp a more obvious reason.

As of 5 hours ago, all I've been able to find is "Joseph may be in for Texier in Game 4." Nothing definitive yet, but it is surprising, because it doesn't appear to be because of injury. And I agree I just don't understand why you'd change your lineup after the most dominant win against the Jets all season. I love Joseph's game when he's on but he has shown to be a defensive liability at times.

Oh well, will shall see.