St. Louis Blues Morning Links: Montreal Brings East’s Best Record
By Todd Panula
Good morning Blues fans! It’s another gameday and another chance to take on a team from north of the border. This time it’s the best in the East.
The St. Louis Blues are still smarting from losing to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. Even after two days off, the overall performance still stings a bit.
The Blues had a fairly unimpressive opening to the game. They managed to score two goals in the second period, but failed to see out the 2-1 lead they had built.
The three-on-three scenario came in to bite them in overtime. The Blues could not properly close down on the backdoor play and Winnipeg scored on an easy pass and score to take the extra point.
Winnipeg has been up and down throughout the year, despite their stellar offense. Now the Blues must face the best of the Eastern Conference.
Again, it’s a Canadian team, but this time from Montreal. The Canadiens score just as well as Winnipeg and defend it much better. Oh, and there is the small matter of having Carey Price in goal, who may be the best goaltender in the league.
It’s funny how things turn out. Years back, the Blues were quite interested in acquiring Price after Jaroslav Halak‘s playoff heroics.
The thinking was Montreal would lean toward Halak, so Price would be available. Given his playoff performance and also his work in the Olympics, Blues fans were elated to get Halak instead – well, I was elated. Others were just happy, I’m sure.
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Now, Halak is struggling to be considered the number one in Long Island and Price is still in Montreal. Halak has bounced around a bit and Price is in the top three of all goaltenders in the league.
How things, could have been different. No point in dwelling on all that though.
The Blues have Jake Allen and while he is not on Price’s level, he isn’t as far off as most would have you believe. If you compare their numbers from age 26 and before, they aren’t that dissimilar.
So, if Allen plays his best, it’s just up to the Blues to play their best in order to take down the top team in the Ease.
Here are your St. Louis Blues Morning Links to get your day started off right.
Jeremy Rutherford has all your little bits and bobs to know prior to tonight’s game. (Post-Dispatch)
Most of the time, today’s society think of a library as some place for weirdos or just a room filled with smelly old books. Nothing could be further from the truth currently at the main branch of the St. Louis Public Library. They have an exhibit honoring the Blues’ 50 years and it’s quite the spectacle with a little something for everyone. (STLToday)
Tommy Vannelli had a good offseason and camp. Still, he’s been itching to play an actual game since he has not suited up for over a year after suffering a concussion in October of 2015. Now, he is cleared, healthy and ready to go. (Arch Authority)
The city of St. Louis and the Blues had plenty of reason to be proud yesterday. Four St. Louis kids and Tage Thompson were all selected for a very special camp. (Arch Authority)
In case you missed our post from yesterday, Robert Bortuzzo went out of the Winnipeg game with an injury and will miss at least a week. He’s a bit snake bit, since he had been playing so well. (Bleedin’ Blue)
The Blues won’t have to worry about Montreal’s top scorer. The Habs have their own injury woes coming into tonight’s game. (ESPN)
The USA may have selected some players we know and like. Team Canada will be without one of their top stars and potential top pick for the World Juniors. (NHL)
Have a great day Blues fans!