Blues officially WORST team in the NHL

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

That extended period in the first period of the Blues getting hemmed in their own zone (before the delayed call) epitomizes what is wrong with this team. No transition game, no one who can lug the mail out of the zone, awful passing and puck possession, nonexistent forecheck. Really baffling especially seeing how well this group played the last half of the season. It's almost like they need to break it down to a Lemaire-type system of trap hockey. Boring but something to staunch the bleeding.

[Kilokaai]

The goaltending is going to be end of this team, it is impossible to get any room for error at the moment without it ending up in the net. Yes, some are full breakdowns but my goodness we can't count on either Binnington or Hofer to make a clutch save right now. It started from the first game of the season vs. Minny. They have made tweaks but honestly just getting a nice save every once in a while is great for momentum/confidence.

Not being in the room but seeing what adjustments we have made it's pretty reasonable to assume that the messaging has been to tighten it up defensively (basically every game). We haven't been getting the results because frankly the goalies aren't cleaning up any mistakes, this leads to MORE flat footed/clog up the middle and pray defensive play. Last night vs. the Caps, we literally looked like we were terrified to take a chance on a contested puck it was 100% stay on the defensive side of play and we got man handled all night. The Caps looked quick and we gave them all the room they needed to look like the US/Canada all star team.

Every NHL team is about as good as their goalies ability to keep them in games, if that consistency falters you end up having to make too many adjustments to be effective offensively. They are not playing quick, on their toes, or holding the stick too tight you name it. As a fan, I just assume every breakdown is already a goal so I know the players have to feel that way as well.

To add, it seems like the puck handling by the goalies is costing us at least 1 goal a game almost every game. What gives here? What did we change systematically that is causing them to mishandle the puck so much? Very frustrating.

[Kilokaai]

That extended period in the first period of the Blues getting hemmed in their own zone (before the delayed call) epitomizes what is wrong with this team. No transition game, no one who can lug the mail out of the zone, awful passing and puck possession, nonexistent forecheck. Really baffling especially seeing how well this group played the last half of the season. It's almost like they need to break it down to a Lemaire-type system of trap hockey. Boring but something to staunch the bleeding.

Just building off of my reply, IMO that is why all of those offensive/transition traits are hurting so bad. We MUST play full defensive hockey and always be on the defending side, any team that plays with a little risk is going to feast and when they fail they hope they get bailed out by the goalie (which is happening every night against the Blues it seems).

You can't be aggressive if every mistake is a goal.