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

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Surprise surprise the St. Louis Shar...I mean Blues lose the first game. Couldn't understand all the pundits giving this series to St. Louis with their recent playoff history and how well the Wild played down the stretch. They'll be lucky to make it out of this series at all

So many analysts had the Blues making the cup final, just like so many kept picking the Sharks year after year of disappointments. The core is rotten in St. Louis, something Flames fans should be able to recognize easily. The Blues won't do anything until they ship out several of their underachieving stars

[Azure]

How long does Bouwmeester still have on that big contract? Or did they resign him again?

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by Azure

How long does Bouwmeester still have on that big contract? Or did they resign him again?

They did a contract extension for 5 years in summer 2013

[Frank MetaMusil]

The thing with the blues is they were worse than the flames before they hired hitch. Bouwmeester now has 2 points in 17 playoff games. He basically plays shinny hockey, even in the playoffs. I'd take wideman 10/10 times over him. Gunnarson is junk as well.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

The thing with the blues is they were worse than the flames before they hired hitch. Bouwmeester now has 2 points in 17 playoff games. He basically plays shinny hockey, even in the playoffs. I'd take wideman 10/10 times over him. Gunnarson is junk as well.

I'll take any of our D over Bouwmeester, there just isn't room for that kind of softness in the playoffs

[Erick Estrada]

You only have to look at Bouwmeester's playoff stats to see that he's the very definition of a player that simply doesn't have another gear;

GP 6, G 0, A 0, PTS 0, +/- -1, SOG 5, TOI/G 20.25

Despite being gifted he always manages to be less than the sum of his parts.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by codynw

I predicted a Tampa/St. Louis final on my bracket. Oops.

So where is Hitchcock coaching next season?

I made the same prediction.

[Sylvanfan]

The Oilers will be the ones saying no thanks when the Blues ask about a Purcell for Bouwmeester swap.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Who would have thought when we traded Bouwmeester that Brodie would become twice as good as him within two seasons? Unbelievable.

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Who would have thought when we traded Bouwmeester that Brodie would become twice as good as him within two seasons? Unbelievable.

It's amazing that the Blues were willing to part ways with Russell for a 5th round pick because Bouwmeester took up a spot on the blueline.

Not a chance I'd consider trading Russell for Bouw straight up. Not even close.

[liamenator]

That Wild team is scary. Deep, talented, fast, confident, with excellent goaltending and chemistry second only to the Flames (if not on par). They are going to give the Chicago -- which is a much less perfect team these days -- all it can handle. Would not surprise me in the least to see MIN win that series; they might even make quick work of it.

[nmhen]

that was fun. See you in the next Wild playoff series thread!

[ForeverFlameFan]

Well, looks like the Blues are just trending to be regular season wonders and nothing else.

[robaur]

Can we please close the series threads after they are over and move on to the next one?

[Canada 02]

as expected, plenty of talk here about Hitchcock coaching his last game for the Blues

[codynw]

Originally Posted by robaur

Can we please close the series threads after they are over and move on to the next one?

Why? People obviously still want to talk about what happened.

[Resolute 14]

Agreed. I would like to say "suck it, St. Louis", but that wouldn't fit the Chicago-Minnesota thread.

[Da_Chief]

Changes will happen in St.Louis. I would say the entire coaching staff will take a hit and could also see Steen and Oshie moved out. I would like to add Oshie to our lineup.

Ferland-Bennett-Oshie would be a hit machine line.

[killer_carlson]

so glad that the Blues are out and that team will be changed. They matched up so well against us and just owned us time and time again.

[nmhen]

Wasn't Muller brought in as a presumed heir apparent to Hitch? Whatever. I understand Hitch tends to wear out his welcome, but I think there's some chemistry problem on that roster. Undeniable talent, and lots of it. Not the deepest D, and suspect goaltending. So not a perfect roster. But enough talent to overcome that lack of depth - unless there's something else there. Oshie 1 goal, and he was a non-factor most of the series. Backes wasn't even very ornery. Tarasenko gets 6 of their 14 goals for the series. He's great, no doubt, but there's no way he should be 40% of their scoring.