The dangerous game continued in Game 2. The Blues jumped out to a 3-1 lead and then immediately shifted into a defensive shell. That mistake, one which the team has made repeatedly, nearly cost the Blues in a game they really needed to win. Thanks to a bad penalty by the Stars, the Blues escaped Dallas with a win after a David Backes OT goal.
It wasn’t a must-win game mathematically, but realistically the Blues needed Game 2. Skating without the home ice advantage, the Blues had to pick up a road win at some point during the series. After dropping Game 1, it needed to be Game 2.
The win was awesome. No doubt about it. But let’s focus on the other issues at play here.
Why do the Blues keep altering their style as soon as they grab a lead? This mistake – one which is so noticeable even newcomers to the game have no trouble pointing it out – is infuriating and could be the demise of this talented team. It happens every time. They rattle off a couple goals and then boom – it’s time to sit back and let Dallas enter the zone at will. Backes even commented on this issue shortly after scoring the winner. If the players notice it, why are they still doing it?
It’s not a matter of skill or the other team dictating the play. The Blues willingly sit back and go into a preventive shell as soon as they get a lead. Defensemen stop holding the line. Forwards sit back and stop challenging shots. Any kind of pressure on the opponent dries up. The result, as we all know by now, is red lights flashing behind Brian Elliott.
Game 2 win aside, the Blues need to figure this one out. It may not be today and it may not be in a game this series, but the Blues will pay dearly if they can’t sort out what to do with a lead.
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