Blues vs Flames: Feelin’ Blue

The way you build a consistent contending team (despite some post-season shortcomings) is by building a capable roster. The St. Louis Blues have a team like that. The Flames looked like a team who might have some serious issues if they happen to be the eighth seed and the Blues secure first in the west. But hey, Joe Colborne had a strong game!

First Period –

The Flames needed to come into tonight's game cautious, calculated, and quick. For a few moments it looked that way but quickly changed. They were fortunate to get some offensive zone time early on in the period but it would be limited. Given the Blues depth on forward, their ability to obstruct the neutral zone and prevent zone entries was a prevalent theme in the opening frame.

That said, Joe Colborne has probably one of the best zone entries I’ve seen from him this season getting a shot off. The slow chipping away at finding holes in the Blues’ deployment and formations was limited. Off an errant line change and turnover, Ryan Reaves broke in and got one of the Blues’ first quality chances.

The lack of whistles and stoppages in play allowed Hitchcock to continuously match lines and dictate play. Frustration would boil over briefly as Mikael Backlund would take the game's first penalty sending a fourth ranked PP to their first opportunity of the game. The Blues would only get off one shot though as Colborne would attempt to dangle around Alex Steen.

Late in the period, Reaves would crush Matt Stajan along the boards. Brandon Bollig knew it was his time to shine as he got in a hugging match with Reaves. Bollig is currently the league’s top ranked hugger.

Period Observations:

Second Period –

Calgary continued to try and solve Brian Elliot with Mikael Backlund having a handful of chances in close. The Flames went into the second intermission with some momentum and trailing in the third so…you know what might happen.

Some Thoughts:

Third Period –

The Flames had a bit of a hop in their step right after as Colborne had a great tip on net. Gaudreau continued with the focus on local opportunities to enter the zone trying to get the play going but the Blues positioning allowed them to fight these situations off.

Hitchcock's usage of his fourth line was particularly effective with the game plan. Their nearly blood-rage driven pursuit of the puck allowed them to find success in generating chances. Deployment continued to work in favor of the Blues as Alex Steen would rip home his second of the game and 22nd of the season making the hole 3-0.

Final Observations:

• The risk Hartley took with eight-plus minutes left in the third, down three goals is a goddamn wild card. What he did was deploy Lance Bouma on that power play. I get the obsession with trying to squeeze as much offense out of Bouma. I do. He’s been putting up killer numbers but deploying a much more capable Mikael Backlund may have been a better option in my book.
• There is always this chatter by the media that fighting generates momentum? They generated three shot attempts to the Blues’ three shot attempts in the five minute window of the fighting majors. Momentum my ass.
• Mikael Backlund’s penalty he took was unnecessary. He redeemed himself by working his keester off all night. It sucks that his point streak had to end tonight but I was genuinely impressed with how he played. Re-sign him ASAP. Every game he performs exceptionally is just making him more expensive.
• Jiri Hudler and his kids got shutdown. How? Systems deployed by Ken Hitchcock. For every successful zone entry was stifled and combative. Besides the Stastny penalty and fighting major, it was very disciplined. Though I feel like St. Louis was comfortable with taking the fighting penalty and a possibility of an instigator if it happened.
• Mason Raymond should shoot more. Waiting for a perfect shot isn’t going to happen. I’m still a huge fan of Raymond and I think his contract is a good one. If he can find some more consistency long-term, the value will increase.
• Final shots: 26-25 for St. Louis. As usual you saw Calgary blocking an abundant 21 shots though it’s worth noting St. Louis had an alarming 18 too.

Flame of the Game: Joe Colborne aka Joe COLBORT

He’s not the fastest by any means but he was literally working his ass off at every chance this evening. I’m incredibly impressed with his efforts in the loss. Joey Joe-Joe Junior Shabadoo had three shots on net, a meh 25% in faceoffs, and a solid 18:11 of ice time. It should be mentioned he was limited to just 0:38 this evening on the PP which is good. Also his near-breakaway-dangle-sorta-thing wasn’t bad…if only he was faster.

by Mike Pfeil