It’s Festivus, which means it’s time to gather around the aluminium pole and air some grievances. Granted, you could make the very accurate case that I do that regularly here on this blog, but Festivus allows for a more formal collection of complaints. I got a lot of problems with this team! And now you’re gonna hear about it!
Protecting Late Leads
Does it seem like the Blues squander away a lot of late leads? It’s not just you. When leading after two periods, the Blues win 76.9% of the time. That number ranks 21st in the NHL and is well below the average a contender should have with 20 minutes left to play. As for when the Blues are trailing after two, they win 44.$5 of the time which the best mark in the NHL. The Blues have been fortunate to come back late in games and eventually this dangerous pattern is going to catch up and cost this time.
Finish the game out when you’re ahead! The Blues coast far too often when they’re ahead and it’s time to put an end to that.
Organist/Goal Song
I don’t know the specifics behind the Blues’ decision to bench the team’s usual organist Mr. Jeremy Boyer, but I don’t like it. No one does. Let’s put childish arguments aside, recognize the man is damn good at playing and that the goal song is one of the best traditions this team has going for it.
Fighting
NHL officials need to get out of the way when two players drop their mitts. Few things are quite as annoying as watching two players toss their mitts and circle only to have the stripes break things up right as they’re getting started. If that’s how it’s going to be, ban fighting. Until then, move out of the way.
Penalty Kill
In short, step your game up. The power play unit is the best in the league at 25%. The penalty kill is 22nd at 78.9%. It’s unlikely that the power play will continue to click at its current rate which means the penalty kill has to be better.
Clear the Zone
This could have been included in the penalty kill section, but it’s been so annoyingly bad that it deserves its own. Clear. The. Zone. When you do, maybe look where you’re firing the puck? Blues defenders have been far too content to weakly backhand a puck up the middle of the ice. The result is always the same – Opponent collects and it leads to a scoring chance.
Address the Weaknesses
This team is not complete. No team ever is, but the Blues’ weaknesses have been exposed. It’s up to Doug Armstrong to make sure they are addressed before the playoffs. Those weaknesses include some questionable forwards and a goaltending scenario which really should only be handled one way – releasing Martin Brodeur once Brian Elliott returns. Paul Stastny is currently being wasted. Find someone to play him with and stick with it.
Alex Pietrangelo
Time to start playing like the Norris candidate you are. Even if we overlook the (-10) plus/minus, Pietrangelo doesn’t look himself in other areas either. If you’ve been keeping track of how many times he has missed the net with a shot within 20ish feet, you probably had to abandon pencil and paper in favor of a calculator a while ago.
Accept Patrik Berglund is Flawed
This may go out more to the broadcast than to the team, but it’s time to accept Berglund for what he is – a flawed, overpaid forward. Don’t bother trying to justify his contract as it can’t be done with any reasonable, logical arguments. Yes, he has had some good games where his play has resulted in positives for the Blues which don’t appear in the stats, but let’s accept the fact the Blues made a costly mistake when they extended him. Feel free to posture him up and try to make him as attractive as possible to opposing teams in the trade market, but stop telling yourself he can be a difference maker.
What Else?
Add your grievances below!
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