Alright, here we are, the NHL is back and the Blue Note is chugging along quite nicely through the first ten games of the season. The Blues find themselves with 15 out of 20 possible points putting them in third place in the NHL, second in the Western Conference, and first in the Central Division. However, there are some issues to discuss regarding discipline, special teams, and shots for versus shots against.
The Blues are averaging four minor penalties per game this season, which isn’t terrible, but it’s not great either, and even worse considering the Blues were shorthanded seven times against the ever dangerous Blackhawks power play on October 18th. The Blues hold a PK% of just 75% (league avg. is 81.16). These two factors translate to the opposition being gifted about four power play opportunities per night with a 25% chance to cash in on the man advantage. The Casino Queen currently has some competition for their “Home of the loosest slots” claim. In contrast the Blues power play numbers are sitting in a holding pattern with the rest of the league, sitting just below the league average at 18.42%. Shots for sit at 320 (avg. 32 per game) and shots against sit at 325 (avg. 32.5 per game). These numbers aren’t terrible at face value, but some nights the net minders have seen more than their fair share of rubber flying at their face. See October 7th vs. the Stars, October 9th vs. the Islanders, and October 19th vs. the Avalanche where the Blues allowed 40+ shots against each night.
In STARK contrast there is much cause for celebration. The net minders are bailing the boys out when needed, the boys are making fantastic plays night in and night out, and the injuries have hardly hampered the results in the standings with youth depth making waves. Beating the Stars, Blackhawks, defending champ Penguins, and holding the red-hot Lightning to two goals are noteworthy games. Yes, the Blues lost to the Golden Knights, but the Knights are proving to be a really good team. The Golden Knights hold a seven and one record, and they just recently beat the Blackhawks four to two. The Blues goalies have a combined SV% of 0.920 and a GAA of 2.56. The team holds a 3.30 goals for average and a 2.60 goals against average. As long as those numbers hold, the Blues are looking at a 123 point season. I’ll take a leap and say that that probably won’t happen, but there is a good chance the boys can put up over 100 points and another trip to the playoffs.
Impressive, So-so, and Small Disappointments
Let’s start with the impressive since I started the article with fire and brimstone.
- Alex Pietrangelo: KILLING it with a league leading 12 points among defensemen, cue Norris trophy rumblings. Petro scored two absolute beauties in the season opener against the Penguins.
- Offense from the defense: points for all except Prosser, who only has one game played, with ole Carl Gun looking surprisingly good so far. Head coach, Mike Yeo said he wanted the defense to be more active in the play. I don’t think they could’ve been more active through these first ten games. I mean even
- The power of the Schwartz: Schwartzy finds himself tied for third in the league in points with 14. Also noteworthy is his shot %, a whopping 28% of his shots are hitting the twine! Could this be a return to form, or, dare I say it, a prime aged skater break out season?
- The Tarasenk-show: Vladimir Tarasenko is business as usual, knocking the peanut butter off of gam gam’s shelf, lighting that lamp seven times.
- Brayden Schenn: The new addition has had zero troubles finding chemistry out there notching two goals and 7 assists. He creates the ice space the Blues needed and can make some nifty passing plays.
- Vladimir Sobotka: This guy looks better this season than I’ve ever seen him play. He even danced around a sprawling Crosby (arguably the best two-way forward, ever) to set up Stastny’s goal in the season opener versus Pittsburgh.
- Jake the Snake and Hutty: If Jake Allen and Carter Hutton keep playing like this, I’d put money on them winning the William M. Jennings trophy. Brian Elliot and Jaroslav Halak won it in 2012.
On to the so-so’s.
- Robert Bortuzzo: He hits this list only because I feel he is too eager to get rid of the puck and gets caught flat-footed. He’s hardnosed and can move the puck, but just, ever so slightly, too often he turns the puck over at inopportune times. Have to move the feet and eyes before moving the puck.
- Kyle Brodziak: He is promoted from the “small disappointments” list to the so-so’s only because of his snipe on Crawford, and relatively smoother puck movement compared to the rest of the fourth line.
The small disappointments.
- Tage Thompson: I had high hopes for this kid coming out of training camp. It’s a shame he didn’t find the score sheet, and got sent down to the AHL. Hopefully he’ll get another chance to shine. This kid is really, really good, just needs to adjust to the speed of the NHL. If you haven’t seen his highlights from UCONN, go watch them now.
- The whole 4th line core (minus Brodziak): I can only describe this as a sloppy lack of fire. Chris Thorburn, who was supposed to try to fill the giant energy hole left by the loss of Ryan Reaves, looks like he is just out there leisurely collecting a pay check. Scottie Upshall looks like me at beer league, clumsily finding his way to near scoring chances and providing traffic cone like defense. I know Upshall can play better, he can definitely skate with more grace. Something just isn’t ticking for him.
