STL Line Needs Vladimir Tarasenko Back Before Cup Run

This is a two-part article on the upcoming playoffs for the St. Louis Blues. The first article addressed David Backes, this one will address the STL line.

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock has been juggling lines in an effort to get the most production out of his people, and this is a fine tactic, especially when things are not going well. Last year Chicago Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville did that against the Blues starting in Game 3. What resulted was the Blackhawks winning four straight, leaving the Blues to head for the links yet again after the first round.

The STL line (named for “St. Louis” and the players’ last names, Schwartz, Tarasenko, and Lehtera) could take the Blues to the Promised Land if the whole line plays to its full potential in the playoffs. But this also requires giving them ample opportunity for their chemistry to congeal after its biggest cog, Vladimir Tarasenko, has missed some time. The first and biggest question to address is the current questions facing the team regarding Tarasenko.

Vladimir Tarasenko: Yet Another Late-Season Injury

First things first: the viability of the entire STL line has been thrown into question due to a repeat of last year’s home-stretch injury to the team’s superstar and number one scorer and point-maker, Vladimir Tarasenko.

Welcome To The Show: Why Hitch Needs To Be Patient

A look at the season numbers for the STL line of Jaden Schwartz-Jori Lehtera-Vladimir Tarasenko shows that this line, when it is firing, is capable of taking the Blues deep in the playoffs. With 79 games played, the STL line has amassed 175 points between the three players. The line has scored a total of 76 goals, very nearly a goal a game.

For perspective, consider this: in his March 24, 2015 article for Bleacher Report, Jonathan Willis ranked all of the NHL’s number one lines, and the Blues’ first line of Alexander Steen-David Backes-T.J. Oshie was ranked #3, behind the Blackhawks’ marquee line of Jonathan Toews-Patrick Sharpe-Marian Hossa and the Anaheim Ducks juggernaut of Ryan Getzlaf-Corey Perry-Patrick Maroon.

But, as of April 6, 2015, the Blues’ STL line not only is among the half-dozen top lines in the league for goals, it has more points than any line in hockey except the second line of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Tyler Johnson-Nikita Kucherov-Ondrej Palat (190) and the aforementioned Dallas line (189).

Mar 14, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) and Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter (20) fight for control of the puck during the third period at Scottrade Center. The Minnesota Wild defeat the St. Louis Blues 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Blackhawks, with a healthy Patrick Kane, clearly possess two monster lines that can strike fear into defenses across the league. But with Kane out, the Blues would have a distinct edge in a first-round matchup being able to roll two juggernaut point-producing lines. And, as for any other matchups, only the Tampa Bay Lightning arguably roll out two high-octane lines equivalent to the Blues in production.

Coach Q did not really start mixing up his lines until Game Three of last year’s quarterfinal, and Hitch should give the STL line two full games in the mix. If things are not happening by then, and if the Blues have come out on the short end of the stick both times, then it will be expected he might start changing out some pieces to get better results.

The Vladimir Tarasenko-Jori Lehtera Connection

A significant part of the magic behind the STL line has to do with the previous chemistry between right winger Vladimir Tarasenko and center Jori Lehtera before either of them were on the Blues. In 2011-12 the Siberian Tarasenko and the Finn Lehtera were linemates for HC Sibir Novosibirsk team in the premier European hockey league, the Kontinental Hockey League. According to Adam Gretz in his Hockey Writers piece on them, each player averaged over a point per game and were two-thirds of arguably the best line in the entire KHL.

These two know how to play well and create chemistry together. And they’ve done it across two premier leagues on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Lehtera started out at a point-per-game pace this season and that has slowed somewhat. As Gretz points out, it is not uncommon for an older European player (Lehtera is 27) to come to the NHL, start fast out of the gate, and then trail off once opposing teams figure out how to shut him down.

But with 42 points in 71 games including 30 helpers, Lehtera is no slouch and currently sits at eighth on the team in terms of points. After netting five goals in November and then only 2 across all of December, January, and February, Lehtera has arguably started finding the back of the net again, with two goals in March and another already in April in the 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames.

Mar 17, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; St. Louis Blues center Jori Lehtera (12) celebrates his goal with teammates against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. St. Louis Blues won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

While his production was already flagging in January, he went down with a concussion on January 29, 2015 in a game against the Nashville Predators and missed almost two weeks. But since coming back from that injury he has been doing better, according to his linemate Jaden Schwartz, as quoted by Luke Thompson in all areas of the game:

"“He’s a really reliable guy in all three zones, works really hard defensively, always in the right spot on breakouts [. . .] In the O-zone he goes to the net, creates space and makes plays in tight areas, too.”"

Hitchcock also spoke of seeing Lehtera much improved in terms of endurance and energy since coming back from the injury.

Tarasenko And Puck Management

Not a lot needs to be said about Vladimir Tarasenko. While Lehtera and especially winger Jaden Schwartz are major contributors on their own, what separates this Blues team from any other Blues team since the Brett Hull era is Tarasenko’s threat as an explosive, elite scorer with sick skills who can beat anyone at anytime. If Tarasenko’s stick goes silent in the playoffs, the Blues will likely go with him unless everyone else lights it up. But given his present level of performance and how he did in last year’s series against the Blackhawks, that does not seem to be a likely outcome.

The sloppy puck management that Hitch has bemoaned when the Blues have hit the skids does involve Tarasenko; from time to time he has made errant drop passes or bad decisions with the puck like the one that killed the Blues’ momentum in the 5-2 February 24 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, or the defensive zone turnover 17 seconds after the Minnesota Wild’s Nino Neiderreiter scored to put the Wild two goals up on the Blues.

Tarasenko’s vision is so exceptional that at times he may forget how fragile and human an endeavor ice hockey really is. Hopefully he will be extra-vigilant in this aspect of his game in the playoffs.

Jaden Schwartz: The Straw That Stirs The Drink

Like David Backes, Schwartz brings intangibles to his play and to the Blues’ play generally that can’t be summed up in stats or points.

You just knew Jaden Schwartz was going to be something special. I heard his first game on St. Patrick’s Day, 2012 against the Lightning, when he was brought up to help fill in for Andy McDonald, and on his first NHL shot, on the powerplay in the first period, he scored what would be the game-winning goal. In his next game on March 21 against Anaheim, he scored against Jonas Hiller.

On his second NHL shot.

Dec 29, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz (9) scores a goal against Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Things have calmed down a tad since then, but Schwartz is undeniably the real deal. With 28 goals and now tied with injured Alexander Steen for second with 62 points in 72 games, Schwartz is starting to catch fire at just the right time. He has four goals and six points in his last three games, including a hat trick in the Blues’ recent 7-5 victory over the Stars.

Like David Backes, Schwartz brings intangibles to his play and to the Blues’ play generally that can’t be summed up in stats or points. When he went out with a broken foot and missed over two weeks, as FOX Sports Midwest’s Luke Thompson pointed out, the previously-surging Blues went 1-5-1 in his absence, with the STL line having little production. Following his return, the Blues went 7-0-1 in January.

Ken Hitchcock had this to say about Schwartz back in training camp two years ago, and they speak volumes about not only Schwartz’ value as a player, but how that value is perceived:

"“He’s been our best player. I can put him anywhere he wants. Whoever he plays with, he makes better. He’s not one of those guys you question. We’ll find a significant role for him because we’re going to need him on the ice a lot. We’ll find a really significant role for him.”"

Schwartz has lived up to those words.

With a healthy Vladimir Tarasenko on the STL line, a healthy Alexander Steen on the SOB line, and a productive David Backes who can stay out of the penalty box, the Blues will be rolling two monster lines that will give opposing coaches nightmares in the upcoming playoffs.

Let us know your thoughts, Blues fans!

Next: St. Louis Blues: Time To Shut It Down

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