Team Recap- In sports it has been said many times that when times are down all it takes is one spark. The St. Louis Blues have come out of the gate this season with no sparks in sight and more questions now than there were before the season even began. With Jaroslav Halak sitting at or near the bottom of the league in SV% and GAA, the Blues are treading water once again; struggling to find their way. Scoring only 8 goals on the road trip, the Blues offense has also not shown up. Chris Stewart, David Backes, and Patrik Berglund each had only 1 point on the trip, a tell tale sign of trouble. The defense for the team has also been astoundingly terrible. Failure to clear the crease and keep the puck from the front of the net has contributed to Halak looking awful thus far this season. Coach Davis Payne acknowledges that the team is playing flat, un-exciting hockey, and that hard work and determination are things the Blues will need to dig themselves out of this rut. Tonight?s match up with the Carolina Hurricanes at home will provide just such a chance to right the ship that is taking on water fast.
Blues Keys For Success- It is very simple what the Blues must do to be a better team. The guys have to be better on the PK, PP, and clearing the zone of the puck. These three things are a huge contributing factor the the downfall thus far this season. Without an improvement here there will be no climbing out of the cellar of the NHL. Big games are needed from those guys who are paid to play big. Chris Stewart, David Backes, Patrik Berglund, and TJ Oshie must step up their games a few notches and take the offense to the other team head on. With out big contributions from the likes of this cast it is very difficult for our boys in blue to muster much in the way of an offensive attack. The time has come for them to pull their heads out from their back sides and get to playing a full and hard 60 minute hockey game. The fans in St. Louis deserve better from this team. It is time for the torture to stop and the scoring flood gates to open.
Courtesy of nhlsnipers.com
Hurricanes Team Recap- It has been a bit of a confusing season for the Carolina Hurricanes. A team that boasts the likes of Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner has gotten started with a 3-2-1 record in the 2011-2012 season. With wins in their last 3 games it seems as though they have figured out how to work as a team and find ways to win games. Goal tender Cam Ward shuffles into town with a 2.81 GAA and a .914 SV%. While not stellar numbers, you can bet Ward will put his best effort forward and attempt to shut down the Blues scoring efforts. Anthony Stewart (brother of Blues RW Chris Stewart) will play against his brother for the first time this season tonight. Anthony has 2 goals already on the season and is enjoying his time with the Canes. When asked by Lou Korac this morning at practice what he would do if he had Chris lined up for a big hit Anthony replied ?I?d hit him on his ass.? The Canes are set to have a decent season if they can remain healthy and get good production from their core of forwards.
Courtesy of hurricanes.nhl.com
Hurricane?s Keys For Success- Getting Jeff Skinner room to make his magic is one key for Carolina. In the recent past, the Blues have been flat footed and easily beaten on the blue line. If the defense for St. Louis is soft yet again, Skinner will walk all over them. Eric Staal will look to use his size and strength to make room and dish the puck to his line mates as well as get some quality shots off against St. Louis. Depending on which team shows up for St. Louis tonight will determine how hard Carolina has to work. Look for them to come out firing early in an attempt to put pressure on the low moral Blues.
Quick Blues Notes- It was reported yesterday that left winger David Perron skated with the team during practice. Perron was wearing a red no contact jersey. David stated, ? I wanted to get out there and skate and see how it felt for the guys to be around me.? Blues fans are hopeful for a return of #57 in the near future. His skills are missed greatly in this line up as teams have to contain David?s ability to make things happen. Also reported yesterday defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo may be ready to go for tonight?s game but it was not 100% yet. Forward Andy McDonald remains out with concussion symptoms and has no date for possible return at this time.
Tonight Blues fans will hopefully see a good hard checking physical game from St. Louis. It is high time the guys get back to the basics and let the effort do the work for them instead of trying to force dainty passes and ?curl n? drag? moves. Get traffic to the front of the net, shoot often, and clear the defensive zone effectively. Hang on tight fans of the Note? It is looking like a long haul..
--bluenotezone.com.
Blues Keys For Success- It is very simple what the Blues must do to be a better team. The guys have to be better on the PK, PP, and clearing the zone of the puck. These three things are a huge contributing factor the the downfall thus far this season. Without an improvement here there will be no climbing out of the cellar of the NHL. Big games are needed from those guys who are paid to play big. Chris Stewart, David Backes, Patrik Berglund, and TJ Oshie must step up their games a few notches and take the offense to the other team head on. With out big contributions from the likes of this cast it is very difficult for our boys in blue to muster much in the way of an offensive attack. The time has come for them to pull their heads out from their back sides and get to playing a full and hard 60 minute hockey game. The fans in St. Louis deserve better from this team. It is time for the torture to stop and the scoring flood gates to open.
Courtesy of nhlsnipers.com
Hurricanes Team Recap- It has been a bit of a confusing season for the Carolina Hurricanes. A team that boasts the likes of Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner has gotten started with a 3-2-1 record in the 2011-2012 season. With wins in their last 3 games it seems as though they have figured out how to work as a team and find ways to win games. Goal tender Cam Ward shuffles into town with a 2.81 GAA and a .914 SV%. While not stellar numbers, you can bet Ward will put his best effort forward and attempt to shut down the Blues scoring efforts. Anthony Stewart (brother of Blues RW Chris Stewart) will play against his brother for the first time this season tonight. Anthony has 2 goals already on the season and is enjoying his time with the Canes. When asked by Lou Korac this morning at practice what he would do if he had Chris lined up for a big hit Anthony replied ?I?d hit him on his ass.? The Canes are set to have a decent season if they can remain healthy and get good production from their core of forwards.
Courtesy of hurricanes.nhl.com
Hurricane?s Keys For Success- Getting Jeff Skinner room to make his magic is one key for Carolina. In the recent past, the Blues have been flat footed and easily beaten on the blue line. If the defense for St. Louis is soft yet again, Skinner will walk all over them. Eric Staal will look to use his size and strength to make room and dish the puck to his line mates as well as get some quality shots off against St. Louis. Depending on which team shows up for St. Louis tonight will determine how hard Carolina has to work. Look for them to come out firing early in an attempt to put pressure on the low moral Blues.
Quick Blues Notes- It was reported yesterday that left winger David Perron skated with the team during practice. Perron was wearing a red no contact jersey. David stated, ? I wanted to get out there and skate and see how it felt for the guys to be around me.? Blues fans are hopeful for a return of #57 in the near future. His skills are missed greatly in this line up as teams have to contain David?s ability to make things happen. Also reported yesterday defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo may be ready to go for tonight?s game but it was not 100% yet. Forward Andy McDonald remains out with concussion symptoms and has no date for possible return at this time.
Tonight Blues fans will hopefully see a good hard checking physical game from St. Louis. It is high time the guys get back to the basics and let the effort do the work for them instead of trying to force dainty passes and ?curl n? drag? moves. Get traffic to the front of the net, shoot often, and clear the defensive zone effectively. Hang on tight fans of the Note? It is looking like a long haul..
--bluenotezone.com.
