May 6 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Robyn Regehr (44) checks St. Loius Blues right wing Vladiimir Tarsenko (91) into the boards in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Blues 4-3 to tie the series 2-2. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

All year, the St. Louis Blues have played with a perfect balance of physicality and finesse. In one instance, Ryan Reaves could pummel a guy into the boards, and the next line would have passing between TJ Oshie, David Perron and David Backes look as smooth and silky as a high-quality kimono.

Last night, we saw plenty of that same skill: Oshie tipping in a shot from Kevin Shattenkirk, Vladimir Sobotka’s sick drop pass to Jay Bouwmeester which led to the Backes goal, etc. Yet, for all that skill, the Blues lost. By the end of the third period, they didn’t even look like they deserved the win, getting completely dominated in every aspect of the game.

The tally in the “L” column came from a combination of two things: the Kings stepping up their own physical, hard-hitting play and the Blues sacrificing their own physicality for more goal-scoring attempts.

On paper, the Blues won in the hits department by a slim 46-42 margin, but in this case, the stats are a total red herring. the Kings often got two forwards deep on the forecheck and made key hits that stopped the Blues offense from ever getting started. Gassed by the time they got to the opposing blue line, St. Louis often had to peel off and start making substitutions for the next wave of Kings’ offense. Los Angeles forced the Blues into that defensive mindset after the Blues took a promising 2-0 lead.

Ken Hitchcock, for whatever reason, also broke up his CPR line (Adam Cracknell, Chris Porter and Reaves) that had proven a formidable force unafraid to make big hits. He sat Cracknell in favor of Vladimir Tarasenko, who has struggled to make plays since he exploded early in the season. Tarasenko’s a lot of things, but he’s not a heavy hitter that could replace Cracknell in terms of enforcing the Blues’ checking. Tarasenko also had the least amount of playing time last night (5:51), so if Hitchcock put him on the roster to make goals, he showed little confidence in putting him on the ice so he could do so.

Reaves and Porter had the next fewest on-ice minutes with 7:55 and 8:38, respectively. Although that’s more playing time than each of them has seen in any one game of this series, giving those big hitters more opportunities to get out there and lay down the law against the Kings will go a long way to giving players like Tarasenko, Andy McDonald and Perron more room to maneuver on the ice.

The veterans have to step up to an extent though, as well. Roman Polak missed his coverage, which led to the third Kings goal. He got caught looking at goaltender Brian Elliott, instead of LA’s assistant captain Anze Kopitar who had a clear shot from maybe ten feet out. Perron has to stop letting himself get bullied in front of the Kings’ crease. McDonald needs to play less scared when he has good chances.

Still, all of these games have been close and there’s a lot to be optimistic about, especially as the  series comes back to the ScottTrade Center. Youngster Jaden Schwartz has played some of the best hockey of his young career in the last week, Oshie looks stellar coming off of his injury, and even though four went past him last night, Elliott still makes a great brick wall in front of the net.

And now, a parting message from Olivia Newton-John to the notes. Let’s Go Blues!

Apr 30, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Adam Cracknell (79) checks Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin (6) in game one of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the reason for excitement with this line comes from the bone crushing hits or maybe it is the ability to seemingly outwork every line they have faced in the last month.  Maybe it is the ability to score goals that Reaves showed in the last week of the season.  No one knows for sure what makes the chemistry of this line so great, but no one cares either.

These three men have banged bodies and played the puck with the best of the players in the league. Against the Los Angeles Kings, the CPR line seems to go above and beyond outworking their opponents on a regular basis.  In a series that is just as much physical as it is skilled, the Blues have to be able to wear out their competition in order to stay ahead of the curve.  Coach Ken Hitchcock has praised his fourth line saying they are better than most fourth lines in the NHL and some third lines as well.  The key difference that Hitchcock notes in his third line is simple, not only can they hit and boost energy, but they can score.

In order to make a long playoff run, teams rely on using all four lines.  Last season the Kings had a powerful fourth line that could contribute offensively as well which allowed them to outwork and outplay their opponents.  This season  the Blues seem to have that very same trait.  In fact, the fourth line is playing so well that rookie sensation Vladimir Tarasenko has lost his spot in the lineup (at least for now).

Apr 30, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Ryan Reaves (75) checks Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin (6) in game one of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

It has never been hard for Blues fans to love their tough guys, and Reaves is no exception.  Training in the offseason as a boxer only helps his persona in the NHL, but putting the puck in the net cements your place in the lineup.  If Reaves and company can keep their level of play high, it may prove to be the difference between a long playoff run and scheduling tee times for late in May.

So what are your impressions of the St. Louis Blues CPR line?  How much of a difference do you think they are making in the Blues playoff run?  Let us know in the comments below and on Facebook or Twitter!

LET’S GO BLUES!

-Alex Hodschayan