GDT: Blues at Pens 6:00 FanDuel

[Aesa]

Schenn is the most overused player in the NHL and that’s even when the team is healthy. He is especially brutal at 6 on 5.

Agreed. And totally useless on the PP. And when you have to use Sunny on the PP, it shows we just don’t have the skilled players. The Pens threw it around tape to tape on their PP. When is the last time we saw a tape to tape pass on the PP?

Well, I for one, saw many tonight, just none that set up a goal.

[Backesdraft]

Outside of the trolls, whose opinions don’t matter, is anyone else as stunned by this start as I am? I was not expecting the Blues to be Cup contenders but I thought they’d be a playoff team, no sweat. While it does take time for new players to gel, Suter and Bjug arent the problems. Yes, LM is struggling but he alone is also not the issue.

The sudden lack of structure on the backend, coupled with some pisspoor offensive starts by RT, Buch, Schenn and the D (offense from the backend had just been nonexistent) is certainly worrying.

[2forDiving]

Schenn is the most overused player in the NHL and that’s even when the team is healthy. He is especially brutal at 6 on 5.

Agreed. And totally useless on the PP. And when you have to use Sunny on the PP, it shows we just don’t have the skilled players. The Pens threw it around tape to tape on their PP. When is the last time we saw a tape to tape pass on the PP?

But that’s what I don’t get. You have Dmen that can play the points. Adjust your PP to use Broberg or even Mailloux. You have two guys that cannot pass or handle the puck effectively (10 and 70) and if you aren’t going to park them in front of the net, then use one of your additional your Dmen to fill the talent hole.

[somni]

Have you guys seen that a Pittsburgh fan is in critical condition after falling from the upper deck after the second goal tonight?

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pen ... 2510270081

I couldn't open your link. That's horrible. Heard it was from the 200 level to 100. Man...

[stlblue06]

Not sure why the Blues use a lone dman at the point on the PP that almost never shoots. Faulk has one for the least threatening shots on the team and other teams know he won’t shoot.

They work everything on the side/down low/high slot.

[2forDiving]

Have you guys seen that a Pittsburgh fan is in critical condition after falling from the upper deck after the second goal tonight?

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pen ... 2510270081

And wasn’t it a Pirates fan that fell out of the upper decks this season, too?

[somni]

Not sure why the Blues use a lone dman at the point on the PP that almost never shoots. Faulk has one for the least threatening shots on the team and other teams know he won’t shoot.

They work everything on the side/down low/high slot.

Because if there's not an open lane to shoot it's going to most likely end up in a turnover. PK teams are so good now blocking shots and clogging the center ice. Quicker passing would help open that up.

[stlblue06]

Not sure why the Blues use a lone dman at the point on the PP that almost never shoots. Faulk has one for the least threatening shots on the team and other teams know he won’t shoot.

They work everything on the side/down low/high slot.

Because if there's not an open lane to shoot it's going to most likely end up in a turnover. PK teams are so good now blocking shots and clogging the center ice. Quicker passing would help open that up.

Hopefully the plan is to insert LM and go with 2 D on the PP. That way there is a big shot threat from the point and another d to cover any blocked shots

[somni]

Have you guys seen that a Pittsburgh fan is in critical condition after falling from the upper deck after the second goal tonight?

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pen ... 2510270081

And wasn’t it a Pirates fan that fell out of the upper decks this season, too?

Apparently, he was going down a row (seat to seat) to not disrupt the fans sitting in his row.

Some of those stadiums/arenas have rows so long it's a tempting thing to do. I've probably done that a few times, but now that I'm older I don't trust my balance, especially if I've a one or two drinks.

[Zizzle1297]

Hofer needs to show up. Seems like more often than not he is giving up a goal on his 1st shot against. This is a trend going back a few years.

[bluetunehead]

Hofer needs to show up. Seems like more often than not he is giving up a goal on his 1st shot against. This is a trend going back a few years.

He’s got be be better no question but the Blues left him out to dry repeatedly tonight. Rust gets it untouched at the faceoff dot 30 seconds into the game. Snuggerud completely blows coverage on Mantha a few seconds later. A 6-5 play. A redirected shot across the slot. Parayko gives up a breakaway to a Top 10 player of all-time.

At some point he’s just got to pull out a big save (ie the Rust and/or Wotherspoon goals) but the lack of structure and compete from our skaters is just killing this team. Monty has to get these guys better prepared. The Pens controlled the play like they had the man advantage for half of the game.

[Zizzle1297]

They are grown men if they cant get themselves prepared mentally to do the job night in and night out they the need to find hungrier players. I go to work everyday whether I feel like it or not and give it 100%. Blues are simply not!

[stlblue06]

Hofer needs to show up. Seems like more often than not he is giving up a goal on his 1st shot against. This is a trend going back a few years.

He’s got be be better no question but the Blues left him out to dry repeatedly tonight. Rust gets it untouched at the faceoff dot 30 seconds into the game. Snuggerud completely blows coverage on Mantha a few seconds later. A 6-5 play. A redirected shot across the slot. Parayko gives up a breakaway to a Top 10 player of all-time.

At some point he’s just got to pull out a big save (ie the Rust and/or Wotherspoon goals) but the lack of structure and compete from our skaters is just killing this team. Monty has to get these guys better prepared. The Pens controlled the play like they had the man advantage for half of the game.

Not sure what game you were watching but the Pens did not control the game. Blues had the edge in possession and shots while scoring chances were even. It came down to goaltending (and 3 Blues posts).

….all while the Blues were missing their best player/1C and leading goal scorer in JN.

[bluetunehead]

Hofer needs to show up. Seems like more often than not he is giving up a goal on his 1st shot against. This is a trend going back a few years.

He’s got be be better no question but the Blues left him out to dry repeatedly tonight. Rust gets it untouched at the faceoff dot 30 seconds into the game. Snuggerud completely blows coverage on Mantha a few seconds later. A 6-5 play. A redirected shot across the slot. Parayko gives up a breakaway to a Top 10 player of all-time.

At some point he’s just got to pull out a big save (ie the Rust and/or Wotherspoon goals) but the lack of structure and compete from our skaters is just killing this team. Monty has to get these guys better prepared. The Pens controlled the play like they had the man advantage for half of the game.

Not sure what game you were watching but the Pens did not control the game. Blues had the edge in possession and shots while scoring chances were even. It came down to goaltending (and 3 Blues posts).

….all while the Blues were missing their best player/1C and leading goal scorer in JN.

Eh… eye test told a different story IMO. The Pens skill players just had their way with the Blues on a lot of shifts. All of the Blues goals were on the rush while 3 of the 5 Pens goals came from plays where they established control in the zone and lured us out of position. Even the Mantha goal that happened on the rush was in large part because Snuggerud got crossed up positionally.

The Blues are just not playing sound hockey right now.

[DawgDad]

Yes, I'm surprised by the start, and by the depth and breadth of their issues. It's not one thing, it's the offensive power outage, defensive breakdowns, individual mistakes, poor goaltending, weak power play, inconsistent efforts. They play stretches of good hockey that are undermined by soft goals, mistakes (like Parayko fumbling the puck), inability to finish, or bad puck luck. Now key injuries. Their frustration is obvious, especially with the early goals.

It all just needs to stop. Next game they need solid goaltending right from the opening puck drop and (again) an early lead. Guys who haven't been scoring need to score. They then need to play a solid second period, grind off some clock and add to a lead. Then keep playing, check-check-check. Everybody. 60 minutes. At home. Then do it again.

It's hard to understand what's going on with Hofer, he's a mess. Holloway has not been the catalyst he was last season, is he still affected by the injury? Buchnevich plays hard but seemingly can't buy a goal. Offense from the defense is missing. Snipers aren't sniping. The power play isn't clicking. It has all snowballed and it just . . . has . . . to . . . stop.

[stlhooked]

Outside of the trolls, whose opinions don’t matter, is anyone else as stunned by this start as I am? I was not expecting the Blues to be Cup contenders but I thought they’d be a playoff team, no sweat. While it does take time for new players to gel, Suter and Bjug arent the problems. Yes, LM is struggling but he alone is also not the issue.

The sudden lack of structure on the backend, coupled with some pisspoor offensive starts by RT, Buch, Schenn and the D (offense from the backend had just been nonexistent) is certainly worrying.

Let us know when you figure it out oh wise one.
Hopefully the Blues organization discovers your ability to dissect the game and make the proper moves. Homer