Scoreboard Watch - Wild at Calgary

[Harold_Melvin]

I’ve peaked at the score enough. 1-0 for awhile and now 3-0 after 2.
I give up on Calgary losing again. Everyone here knows what that means!

I had to edit this after reading the above 2 comments(Harold & Melvin). You two think that Minn can drop out of a spot instead of us? I don’t think that works with tie breakers. I’m old and want to see another run for a Cup after 2 downer losses, particularly the way Binner did not stop the final soft shot. A point would have helped the cause.

Tomorrow night we’ll see. Concentrate better fellows (on the ice)!!

Russ, yes I believe the Blues can overtake Minny despite being on the wrong side of the tie-breaker at the moment. It's only a point to make up and there's 2 games to go for each team. Even if the Blues can't overcome the point, Calgary still sits on the outside even after the win tonight. The Blues just need to win out against lesser teams in order to guarantee a spot. I would have never believed it 2 months ago, but here we are. I now believe in the Blues!

[Russdv14]

I’ll cross my fingers and hope we build a two or three goal lead tomorrow night relatively early on.

[hockey jedi]

They were missing 1/3 of their team. 2 of their top D. 2 of their top 3 centres. Kane, Fredric. their starting goalie is hurt as well and they've been playing their backup goalie almost every game. I know McDavid played but you cant get a more beat up team than the Oilers.
The Sharks are even staying with them tonight.

So were we until the last 20 secs.

It was a painful loss against Edmonton, but I didn't go into it feeling good about our chances. The officiating was terrible, we are down Parayko and Holloway, and we are win streak hangover. With that being said, it would have been huge to get that regulation point.

[blackinkbiz]

I am completely with you, Skilles. How many games did we give up a last minute or two goal to cost us at least 1 point...a crucial point. Faulk and company blew it. And Binnington maybe is overused. For all the fabulous saves he made, he has let up some cripplers too . Sure looked like a floater to me that he could have gotten at least hisbocy in front of..but I agree...if we are playing as hard as we did during the streak..we steal the puck more and don't give it back for the other team to push up ice again.

OK- I feel like a back seat driver.

Funny thing is, that's exactly how we lost Game 6 against the Avs in 2022. I remember watching that game at a bar with friends. Less than 20 seconds left in the 3rd, Blues have control of the puck in their own end and the Avs are basically just scrambling back to make sure they don't give the Blues one final good look. Can't remember who it was but instead of simply skating it back into his own end and going into OT, he rushes the play and then just rips a wrister down into the Avs corner to give them possession with 15 sec left and the whole bar is looking at me as I jump out of my seat screaming WTF are you doing!?!?

Sure enough, Avs don't look their gifthorse in the mouth, take one final rush and BAM, game, season, OVER!

If the players can't be aware enough of the clock on the ice, players and coaches need to be screaming insctructions from the bench because this sh* has happened WAY too many times.

[Russdv14]

If we crash then this may be on Monty. Or I should reverse it. If we win out and make the playoffs then praise to Monty.
Playing Snuggerud in a main role is a lot of pressure. But we really needed Binnington to block and keep that last Edmonton shot out despite Fowler and Schenn racing behind the net. Too many mistakes by experienced players...Two more soundly played games needed.
As a fan all we can do is watch

[Harry York 37]

Let’s not give up the first goal.
Especially on a needless and risky play at our own blue line early on in a huge game….when you are the last man back.

It is hell to come back from that stuff.

[MikoTython]

The Blues are for real. These last two games are not only ones they should win, have the means to win, even w/o 55 & Holly. The boys just need to get it done, I have every confidence they will. If they don't, they now run the very real risk of watching Calgary in the Play-offs. I'd much rather be in our position than theirs.

Like someone else said, its grand we're in the position we're in right now. We actually control our destiny, if not perhaps which WC position we land in. Win both games, they have a good shot at WC1, since Minn plays again tonite against Nucks, who really need to step up and 'do the right thing' .

[Bluesfan1978]

Either way these last two games are far from sure wins. I thought the Blues needed to win that game. That was a much more favourable lineup to play even if it was just Leon not playing. I hope it doesn't end up being a missed opportunity.

Agreed, but that pass from McJesus was unreal and nobody saw that coming. I think we could have won in OT.

As far as I can tell we really didn't even need to win but just make it to OT and then we would only need 2 points even if the Flames win out. It seemed like the Blues were not even aware of the importance of that point.

Its was really unacceptable for that to happen, its very plausible the entire season was on the line with 30 seconds left, we have the pucks on the north end of the ice, all we have to do is not give up a goal and couldn't get it done. Seems woefully unaware of the situation.

In hindsight not getting the 1 point sucks. I still think this team should have dominated that game. I don't like that now winning the last two games is crucial.

[dhsux]

The Flames have the Sharks next. And then Vegas and Kings to close.

They are not likely to win all 3 of those, are they? Vegas likely will have little to play for, but the Kings might.

Meanwhile, the Wild play @Canucks and Ducks at home. They'll be favored to win both, but I'm not so sure about that road game. But they own the RW tie breaker.

Wilds game tonight is a Back to back.

One good thing about the Calgary win.....It's still possible the Wild could be the team to oblige the Blues a play off spot.

I hope the boys are seriously ready for tonight. Monty needs to prep them in a way to play without the tight grip.

[TheJackBurton]

They were missing 1/3 of their team. 2 of their top D. 2 of their top 3 centres. Kane, Fredric. their starting goalie is hurt as well and they've been playing their backup goalie almost every game. I know McDavid played but you cant get a more beat up team than the Oilers.
The Sharks are even staying with them tonight.

Do you understand how much McDavid tips the scales though?

They still had bouchard and nurse, Kane hasn't played all year essentially, Frederic is a 3rd line center at best, and their backup wasn't spectacular but made some saves.

With McDavid Edmonton is a better team than Seattle and Utah plain and simple.

We just have to stop acting like Keller and Schmaltz are McDavid and Draisaital.

[George Zipp]

I like that the Wild had to hop on a plane after this game, fly an hour and a half to Vancouver and get to their hotel somewhere around 2am. I know these guys are used to this life but still, it's not easy on even the most in shape pro sports athletes bodies.

I hope the Canucks have some weird motivation to finish out strong and draw on something after that ridiculous comeback against Dallas a couple of nights ago. I'm pretty sure that was their last game and they are well rested. I hope Demko starts and plays lights out.

We need EDM to keep winning in a big way. That keeps LA motivated to have something to play for the final night of the season when they host the Flames. Home ice is going to be huge in that series. LA is something like 37-3-1 and home (not really but you get my point) and having games 1 and 7 at home is a big deal. So we also need LA to lose a game somewhere soon (at EDM would be ideal on Monday) as they are two pts up with a game in hand and I believe they have the tiebreaker over EDM.

At the end of the day we need to take care of business. Tonight.

[Stlcardsblues]

The Flames have the Sharks next. And then Vegas and Kings to close.

They are not likely to win all 3 of those, are they? Vegas likely will have little to play for, but the Kings might.

Meanwhile, the Wild play @Canucks and Ducks at home. They'll be favored to win both, but I'm not so sure about that road game. But they own the RW tie breaker.

People are way too focused on the Flames. Blues have full control of their own destiny for making it in. Calgary needs help.

I am far more concerned with both of my teams are limping into the playoffs and not looking like they are clicking on all cylinders. I had a concern that the streak ending would result in a bad run. The loss of Holloway is showing big. Not sold Parayko will be at full speed even if he can play.

The way they are trending is of a bigger concern to be than what Calgary is doing.

[blackinkbiz]

The Flames have the Sharks next. And then Vegas and Kings to close.

They are not likely to win all 3 of those, are they? Vegas likely will have little to play for, but the Kings might.

Meanwhile, the Wild play @Canucks and Ducks at home. They'll be favored to win both, but I'm not so sure about that road game. But they own the RW tie breaker.

People are way too focused on the Flames. Blues have full control of their own destiny for making it in. Calgary needs help.

I am far more concerned with both of my teams are limping into the playoffs and not looking like they are clicking on all cylinders. I had a concern that the streak ending would result in a bad run. The loss of Holloway is showing big. Not sold Parayko will be at full speed even if he can play.

The way they are trending is of a bigger concern to be than what Calgary is doing.

While I had hoped the Blues would clinch before the streak ended, glad it ended with time to regroup. Def need a win tonight to keep destiny in our own hands. And Calgary pushing us could be a blessing in disguise. Had the Blues clenched and then fallen off the wagon for a few games, many teams get eliminted in Round 1 because they think they can flip the switch but it doesn't happen.

Blues don't have a choice. Play well and win, or possibly stay home.

[Bluesfan1978]

They were missing 1/3 of their team. 2 of their top D. 2 of their top 3 centres. Kane, Fredric. their starting goalie is hurt as well and they've been playing their backup goalie almost every game. I know McDavid played but you cant get a more beat up team than the Oilers.
The Sharks are even staying with them tonight.

Do you understand how much McDavid tips the scales though?

They still had bouchard and nurse, Kane hasn't played all year essentially, Frederic is a 3rd line center at best, and their backup wasn't spectacular but made some saves.

With McDavid Edmonton is a better team than Seattle and Utah plain and simple.

We just have to stop acting like Keller and Schmaltz are McDavid and Draisaital.

I understand how good they are. It’s still a missed opportunity no matter how you shape it. Their 2C and 3C didn’t play. Their 2C is arguably their MVP for this year. Kane if healthy isn’t far off Holloways level of play. Elkholm being hurt along with Fredrick and Walman is 3 more regulars place. Their starting goalie is out and they’ve been overpaying their backup. I’m sorry you don’t see that as a missed opportunity. That’s fine. How do you expect them to win any games in the playoffs then when most of these teams will have their best players playing? I also don’t think McDavid was at his best that game. But he will always be able to capitalize on mistakes.

[TAFKAP]

If we can't beat Seattle and Utah, we have no chance against Winnipeg or Vegas. They've had a couple days to regroup. I think the Blues come out firing and win the last 2.

My DREAM would be for us to get the 1WC with Calgary crushing to the 2WC. With us and Calgary changing divisions, I'd love to see Kadri, doing Kadri things in the playoffs against Colorado. To watch their fans cry about him taking one of their stars out would be the cherry on top of this season. That and us ending Edmonton's season. Yeah I know, wish in one hand [shirt] in the other.....

[Bluesfan1978]

If we can't beat Seattle and Utah, we have no chance against Winnipeg or Vegas. They've had a couple days to regroup. I think the Blues come out firing and win the last 2.

My DREAM would be for us to get the 1WC with Calgary crushing to the 2WC. With us and Calgary changing divisions, I'd love to see Kadri, doing Kadri things in the playoffs against Colorado. To watch their fans cry about him taking one of their stars out would be the cherry on top of this season. That and us ending Edmonton's season. Yeah I know, wish in one hand [shirt] in the other.....

That would be cool to see. Calgary would be a handful for whoever they play. Minnesota looked terrible last night even though they hit a few posts.