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Wayne Gretzky: Vladimir Tarasenko’s ‘Gotta Get That Big Goal’

By Kate Cimini

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In an interview Tuesday Wayne Gretzky spoke with the Imig, Montez and Moe Show on CBS Sports 920 about his former club, the St. Louis Blues, and what they need to do in order to get that sea change they’ve been chasing in their first playoffs series against the Minnesota Wild.

When you get into the playoffs, the best players have to be the best players.

Gretzky was wildly supportive of grinder and professional pisser-offer Steve Ott, as well as reminding us that when fingers are pointed, they are often directed at coaching staff, even if it isn’t necessarily warranted.

“Coaching’s not the issue,” Gretzky told his radio hosts. “When you get down to it, [St. Louis’] record over the course of this season has been very solid — and listen, I’m not saying this to create a controversy, but when you get into the playoffs, the best players have to be the best players. There’s no secret to it.”

This is something that has come up repeatedly when those who know the game in and out talk about the Blues: their best players have to be their best players night after night, not when the stars fall into alignment and someone tripped over the right crack in the sidewalk.

Apr 18, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) scores a goal past Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) during the first period in game two of the first round of the the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Is it a momentum problem? Is it a problem in team culture, or between players and coaches, or are all the players the Blues drafted only good for about 70 games a year?

The frustration St. Louis Blues fans have with their team is palpable, and is well-articulated in this article over at St. Louis Game Time. Fans are tired of seeing their team exit too early to do real damage, and theories are flying around just as quickly as players will fly out the door if St. Louis sees yet another first-round exit.

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Gretzky was more positive than some of us are able to be, having had a 20-year career in the NHL (with 31 games on St. Louis Blues ice) and watching players, coaches, general managers and even teams come and go. He’s also seen bad coaching on the Blues, thanks to Mike Keenan, all of which should probably lend at least some weight to his opinion that what we’re seeing is not bad coaching.

He also pointed a couple of players out as the ones who need to lead the charge and swing the momentum of the game the way of the St. Louis Blues.

“I look for Tarasenko to have a big game for them tomorrow night,” said Gretzky. “He’s a guy that’s gotta [sic] get that big goal. I had a coach that told me, ‘It doesn’t matter how many goals you get in the playoffs, it’s about getting that big goal or that big play at the right time that gives your team the lift.’ And that’s what’s imperative.”

Fans can listen to the entire segment here.

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