Western Conference Playoffs - Round 1: Blues vs Wild (MIN wins in 6)

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by browna

Goaltending, especially, seems to take it especially hard.

In fairness to him he hasn't had especially great goaltenders to work with. On what other playoff team is Allen a starter? Islanders maybe.

[Tsawwassen]

From what we've seen in the playoffs so far, Allen will be on a short leash in this game. Hitchcock puts Elliott in net if the Blues go down by 2 goals.

http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/preview?id=2014030156
http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hockey/nhl/game/1539182/preview/

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Yep, the guy has a single gear, what you see in game 1 of the regular season is what you see in game 7 of the playoffs. No team is going to win if they rely on Boumeester to log big minutes

Russell >>>>>> Bouwmeester.


The Blues made it to the 2nd round the year before they picked up Bouwmeester with Russell playing almost the same ice-time for them as Bouwmeester is getting now.

[Racki]

Awful 1st goal.

[Dime_On_Flames]

Yikes that was some stinky cheese there

[dammage79]

Well, I called the Wild in six. seems fitting and will help my NHL bracket exponentially.

I would never have thought the Blues would wilt the way they have in their losses, there's just no middle ground with them. It's either a weak weak loss or a dominant win. No close calls.

How about the fact that Patrick Berglund has been their best player? Crazy!

[Freddy]

I went heavy on Blues in my playoff draft because on paper their roster looks just so solid, but watching them in this elimination game it's obvious they lack the cohesiveness we see from the Flames and Wild. That, and how I thought any team could go all the way with Boumeister in your top 4, I don't know...
I hope I'm wrong, but this game is looking like St Louis' swan song.

[GirlySports]

goaltending, i don't know what they see in Allen.

Elliott screwed two years in a row.

[Dime_On_Flames]

Maybe that short shelf life of Hitchcock is already expired. Gotta think he gets the axe if the Blues are out in round 1. They need to capitalize on this window and this time they don't have the excuse of going up against Chicago/La

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by Freddy

I went heavy on Blues in my playoff draft because on paper their roster looks just so solid, but watching them in this elimination game it's obvious they lack the cohesiveness we see from the Flames and Wild. That, and how I thought any team could go all the way with Boumeister in your top 4, I don't know...
I hope I'm wrong, but this game is looking like St Louis' swan song.

This. These are the intangibles that make a successful team. No surprise the 4 teams that advanced to round 2 (assuming the Wild make it) are the 4 teams that are close as a group and believe in one another. Man this 2nd round will be good!

[Sylvanfan]

Allen made some good stops after the weak goal as the Blues made some awful plays. Still giving up a goal like that in a must win game...those can be fatal.

[N-E-B]

Why is Jake Allen amazing against Calgary, and only Calgary?

[GirlySports]

that's ridiculous.

goalie change, but it's too late

[Dime_On_Flames]

Wow another stinker from Allen. OUCH

Just as Hitchcock was defending him too lol

[Art Vandelay]

Lol @ Blues

[Yamer]

2 terrible goals to give up. Ouch.

[Dime_On_Flames]

aaaaaand then Dubnyk robs em point blank. Craziness!

[Roof-Daddy]

Good.

The Blues really pissed me off down the stretch this year.

[mrdonkey]

After the Blues decided they only wanted to show up against the Flames down the stretch, this is exactly what I was hoping to see.

Screw 'em!

[N-E-B]

Allen pulled himself I think. That body language after the second goal went in showed his confidence was shattered. Hitch had no choice.