13 Goals!

[BobbyBlue]

The Blues led the league in giving up (13) goals in 6 on 5 situations this year…with (2) more given up in game (7) their year end total was (15). It was a problem they never learned to correct…and it took them out.

[Harry S Deals]

Last night looked more like bad luck on the first goal, shot going wide but hits a Blue and goes in. 2nd goal was panic Buch not clearing the puck efficiently with Thomas in the neutral zone. I dont recall if he had skating room but all he had to do was put the puck somewhere Thomas can touch it hopefully at least get it deep if not score and that is more than likely enough to kill the clock

[skilles]

Seems to be a strategical problem which is completely in our control so I'll take it as glass half full or at least a better problem than not having the personnel to compete.

[BobbyBlue]

And…if I recall correctly…when the Blues game out of the 4 Nations Break…the Jets came back to tie them late in the game on a 6 on 5 situation and then beat them in OT…so…they had success doing it against us already which had to give them confidence.

[hockey jedi]

Bobby, thanks for posting. I went to bed last night wondering how many times this year that's happened. No doubt we've had difficulty closing out games. When you think about it, it probably cost us 15-20 more points in the regular season, and of course, stopped us from advancing to the next round. I hate Winnipeg because they played like scum bags with all of their cheap shots, but now I'm pulling for them to win it all.

[callitwhatyouwant]

I knew we were the worst in the league at this as it's been covered decently extensively at least towards the end of the year. Kelly and Kirbs both have made comments on it. While it should seemingly be easy to figure out how to fix it, I do think this issue arises because of certain personnel issues/ it's a product of how the team was playing prior to the 6 on 5 that puts so much pressure on the 6 on 5. The Blues dominate the 1st period. 2nd period they get dominated but get that late goal. The 3rd period while the shots were imbalanced, it seemed more like it was a choice by the Blues to not take risks and keep pushing. I didn't see anything in the 3rd that said, yep Jets are desperate they are killing us. What I saw was the Blues having chances to counter attack and making quick changes. I think this applies when you are vastly outmatched by your opponent, but with the injuries on the Jets side, I just don't think that was the case.

You end up playing defense for almost 8 minutes strait to finish the game and 3 of it is against the 6 on 5.

[PPG]

And even more frustrating is the fact that our so called best and most experienced players are almost always on the ice when this happens.
If they can't keep their composure in the late game situations, then why not use your rookies out there.
They couldn't do any worse.
The most disappointing thing is all of the unforced errors.
It's one thing when you're outnumbered and have no choice but to try and ice it, but the panic in their game is so painfully obvious- And other teams can certainly see this if we can

[2forDiving]

It could have been worse, remember that Anaheim and Nashville both scored just fractions of a second after the buzzer. I believe if the Anaheim goal had counted they would have scored 3 goals with their net empty. That’s inexcusable.

[MiamiLaw]

It could have been worse, remember that Anaheim and Nashville both scored just fractions of a second after the buzzer. I believe if the Anaheim goal had counted they would have scored 3 goals with their net empty. That’s inexcusable.

It was almost any time the Blues had to defend the empty net they ended up allowing major pressure and, at best, a very high danger chance within the last 10 seconds. Last night was just more of the same for that. The issue was screaming at them in the face and they failed to address it.

[DawgDad]

Watching the replay, even with the Blues caught out of position it took two tape-to-tape distance passes and a picture-perfect redirection shot from the slot to beat them. It was a highly skilled play.

[MiamiLaw]

Watching the replay, even with the Blues caught out of position it took two tape-to-tape distance passes and a picture-perfect redirection shot from the slot to beat them. It was a highly skilled play.

Both of Perfetti's goals came on some of the best tip/redirections I have ever seen and he did it twice in the same game. Definitely he deserves a lot of credit.

[wiscrev]

That's not counting the goals they have given up in the last minute pf periods.

[2forDiving]

Watching the replay, even with the Blues caught out of position it took two tape-to-tape distance passes and a picture-perfect redirection shot from the slot to beat them. It was a highly skilled play.

I agree, but the Blues were never in a position all year to take away those cross ice passes. It happened over and over this year. I also think Schenn’s defense is vastly overrated and if he loses the faceoff he becomes a huge liability on those situations.

[MrPostman01]

When the Blues face 6 on 5 they play panic hockey, surrendering or icing the puck as quickly as possible. They still have six guys too. An unanticipated pass to Binner who can help pass the puck out may help out from time to time.
They need to stop thinking the boards are the friends as the other team anticipates that.

[JR1]

I agree with a lot that's been posted. I think the Blues need to pressure the opposition when it is possible. It appears that they are being coached to remain on the perimeter and stay in the shot lane. That was not working all year. Even when the opposition is on the PP the Blues are too passive. Did you notice how Winnipeg pressured us immediately when we tried to set up in their zone? I watch a lot of hockey and I don't see any other teams being this passive. Sometimes there is an opportunity to put some pressure on the puck and we NEVER attempt to press. Just what I notice.

[bud white]

When you don't have big defensemen, you don't have the longer reach / wingspan to get sticks in lanes. Outside of Parayko, we're average.