7-5-1: Heh, How About That?

A team is outshot 33-20.

A team loses 41 of 59 faceoffs.

A team blows a five minute power play.

That team wins the game 3-0.

What in the hell? But it is true, as the Rangers beat up on the Devils in a game that was missing serious star power: Parise and Mmmaaaarrrtttyyy for the Devs; Gaborik, Prospal, Drury and Callahan for the Rangers. Perhaps what pulled it through for the Blueshirts was the ability to dress Hank and Dubinsky as they had the biggest impact in the game, Hank with 33 saves and Dubi a pair of goals. One-Way Kovalchuk was -2, had four shots and a dumb penalty.

Haha.

Some quick, stream-of-consciousness notes:

*Rozy wearing Cally's A was just sickening. It is understandable as he is the longest tenured Ranger but c'mon, it is Rozsival! Sure he has been better of late but he still is a failure when you factor in his contract. Rozy took a terrible penalty that the Rangers were able to turn into a shorthanded goal, so that's a plus I guess. I'm not sure how that is leadership though. And his reaching/diving after Kovy that led to the Zajac chance on the doorstep in the third period? Ugh.

*Despite the Devil domination at the faceoff dot, it was a rare Ranger win that proved the most meaningful. Dubi took the offensive zone draw at the end of the second period to get the puck to Girardi for the shot that Boyle tipped in to make it 2-0.

*It just isn't the same beating the Devils without them beating Fatso. Mmmmaaaarrrtttyyyy. And, while Avery had a decent game, Sean wasn't Sean without Tubby to taunt.

*I feel bad for Doc Emerick as he is saddled with the doofy court jester that is the homer Chico. Doc does such a spectacular job and Chico is a clown, it's a shame. Doc even dropped a John Ogrodnick reference!

*Stepan looked more comfortable than he has in a few games while Todd White didn't play like a guy on waivers. Both looked better than Erik Christensen, who really looked like he missed Gabby.

*Not sure who is dumber, Carcillo or Clarkson, but I loathe them both.

*That first Ranger goal came off a bad play. While Frolov thankfully decided not to do his stupid wrap-around, his pass out front to Arty was off the mark. Arty swung and couldn't make full contact, accidentally getting the puck to Dubi for the dunk.

*MDZ had six and a half minutes of power play time with which he did ... nothing. The kid has been given every opportunity to step up and he hasn't. His passing has been piss-poor (feed the guys with RANGERS on the sweaters kiddo), he had just one shot on net (with four minutes left and the score already 3-0) and his defense is atrocious. A reality check in Hartford - not just a seat in the press box - would serve him well.

*Over 27 minutes for Dan Girardi is too much. It is nice to see the youngster stepping into the role but it is a long season and he just isn't that kind of elite player. Credit should be given as he was reunited with Staal and the two shut down Kovalchuk admirably.

*Some quickies for the Devils: Matt Taormina was the best Devil on the ice, while their team captain Jamie Langenbrunner needs to be let go - he doesn't seem to have it anymore and he doesn't look like he is playing with/for the team. I don't like Stephen Gionta any more than his midget brother Brian. Travis Zajac is underrated, perhaps because of the shadow cast by Zach Parise (when healthy). Zajac was a constant threat and he went 16-3 on faceoffs. Domination!

*Derek Boogaard needs to realize he is not a scorer. Sure Torts and company want him to be a more complete player, but why doesn't he work on doing his job first, before working on skills? When the Rangers are getting shoved all over the ice and pinned in their own zone, when Boyle is boarded and Fedotenko is attacked, that is when you realize that the team needs an enforcer. And Boogaard hasn't been it.

*Didn't notice Grachev at all, which is good and bad - good in that he didn't make any mistakes under the Jersey pressure and bad in that he couldn't use his size to create some offense on the awful Devils.

*How sad are they? Or even more to the point, how sad is their fanbase? The team is 4-10-1 and you barely hear a peep. If the Rangers were failing at that rate, there would be outrage.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Artem Anisimov - two assists.
2-Brandon Dubinsky - two goals.
1-Henrik Lundqvist - 33 saves.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Girardi - The Devils didn't get a lot of second chances and a lot of that has to be due to the diligence of the Ranger defense, specifically Girardi (and Staal and Sauer and even Eminger). And, unlike MDZ, Girardi had the gall to shoot when he had a look at the net from the point.
2-Dubi - He has the hot stick right now and it is fantastic to see. Let's hope he doesn't cool off anytime soon because the team will be that much stronger when Dubi and Gaborik are both putting pucks in the net.
1-Hank - It is hard to chant Henrik's Better! when Fatso isn't filling the net across the ice but it wouldn't have mattered if he did, Hank woulda made him look bad too. The Moose wasn't even that bad, but Hank was just outstanding. He even managed to stop that bad-angle shot in the first period (by Langenbrunner?)!!

 A Rollercoaster Ride: Analyzing the St. Louis Blues' 7-5-1 Start

The NHL season is often compared to a rollercoaster ride, filled with ups and downs, twists and turns. For the St. Louis Blues and their fans, the 2021-2022 season has been no exception. With a record of 7 wins, 5 losses, and 1 overtime loss through the first 13 games, it's been a season of unpredictability and mixed results. In this article, we'll dive into the Blues' early-season performance, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and ponder what lies ahead for this talented yet enigmatic team.

A Promising Start

The Blues kicked off the season with high hopes and a roster filled with talent. Led by captain Ryan O'Reilly and featuring star players like Vladimir Tarasenko and Brayden Schenn, the team seemed poised for success. They started the season with a 7-2-1 record, showing their ability to dominate opponents and score goals at will. Blues fans were thrilled with the early results and began to dream of another deep playoff run.

Injuries and Defensive Struggles

However, the euphoria of their fast start was short-lived as injuries began to take their toll. Key players like Tarasenko and Schenn found themselves on the injured list, leaving the team without their offensive firepower. Additionally, the Blues' defense began to struggle, allowing too many goals and putting additional pressure on their goaltenders.

The Power of Goaltending

One of the bright spots during the Blues' early-season rollercoaster ride has been the outstanding play of their goaltenders. Jordan Binnington and Ville Husso have both had their moments of brilliance, making key saves to keep the team in games. Goaltending has been the backbone of the Blues' success, and it will continue to be a crucial factor as the season progresses.

The Tarasenko Saga

The Vladimir Tarasenko situation has been a significant storyline for the Blues this season. Tarasenko, a highly talented forward, publicly expressed his desire to be traded during the offseason. However, a trade did not materialize, and Tarasenko found himself back in a Blues uniform. Despite the initial awkwardness, Tarasenko has been a valuable contributor on the ice, reminding everyone of his scoring prowess.

Coaching Adjustments

Head coach Craig Berube and his staff have had to make adjustments on the fly to address the team's struggles. Line combinations have been shuffled, defensive strategies tweaked, and young players given more significant roles. The coaching staff's ability to adapt and find solutions will be critical as they aim to stabilize the team's performance.

What Lies Ahead?

As the Blues continue their rollercoaster ride through the season, several questions remain unanswered. Can they stay healthy and regain their early-season form? Will they make a move to address defensive issues? And what will become of the Tarasenko situation?

One thing is certain: the NHL season is a marathon, not a sprint. The Blues have the talent and leadership to overcome their early-season challenges and become a force in the Western Conference once again. The rollercoaster may continue, but Blues fans know that the ride is never boring.

The St. Louis Blues' 7-5-1 start to the 2021-2022 season has been a mixture of excitement and frustration. Injuries, defensive struggles, and the Tarasenko saga have all played a role in the team's early-season performance. However, with strong goaltending and a talented roster, the Blues have the potential to overcome their challenges and contend for a playoff spot. As the season unfolds, fans will continue to buckle up for the rollercoaster ride that is NHL hockey.

FAQs

Q1: Who are some key players for the St. Louis Blues this season?

A1: Key players for the Blues this season include Ryan O'Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko, Jordan Binnington, and Ville Husso.

Q2: What challenges have the Blues faced early in the season?

A2: The Blues have faced challenges such as injuries to key players, defensive struggles, and the Vladimir Tarasenko trade saga.

Q3: How important has goaltending been for the Blues this season?

A3: Goaltending has been crucial for the Blues, with both Jordan Binnington and Ville Husso making key saves to keep the team competitive.

Q4: What are the Blues' prospects for the rest of the season?

A4: The Blues have the talent and leadership to contend for a playoff spot, but their success will depend on staying healthy and addressing defensive issues.