Their balloon deflated after the Wings had beaten them four nights ago, someone in the St. Louis locker room forgot to turn the tanks back on as the Blues came out flat once again in the 1st period Tuesday. Only two minutes in the Blues had taken a penalty in the offensive zone and given up a power-play goal to Ryan Ellis. The Note have now allowed a power-play goal in SEVEN of their nine games, an area they were very strong in last season.

The 1st period saw a glut of whistles, mostly from icing calls as each squad had trouble settling the puck down and exiting their own zones. After scoring with the man-advantage, neither Nashville nor the Blues could get sustained pressure going. For much of the period the arena was silent as the Blues looked ever bit the team still nursing its wounds from their last loss.

Nashville later capitalized on sluggish defense by the Blues when Rich Clune tipped in a puck Brian Elliot couldn’t stop for a 2-0 Preds lead. Then, with under a minute to go, Nashville got their third tally of the frame when Nick Spaling banged in another uncontrolled rebound as Elliot floundered and Alex Pietrangelo and the Blues stood around in front of the net. Shots for the period ended up 9-4 in favor of Nashville.

The 2nd period saw more of the same with Nashville being allowed plenty of room to work in the offensive zone, and the Blues appearing to have lost their timing in every aspect of the game. What few decent scoring chances they managed all seemed telegraphed directly into the glove of Rinne, one of the best with the leather in the NHL. Nashville continued it’s punishment of Elliot with a another goal at 9:09 to make it 4-0. Elliot was pulled afterwards for the first time as a starter. With Jaroslav Halak on Injured Reserve, the Blues looked to rookie Jake Allen, called up from Peoria, to stop the proverbial bleeding.

Young Jake, seeing his first regular season action, was welcomed by the Preds with a goal on the first shot he faced. Watching Nashville split his defensmen, Allen was unable to corral a wrister that bounced up over his shoulder and Gabriel Bourque slipped by the flat-footed Wade Redden to knock in the rebound. The play was reviewed but the goal stood and it was 5-0.

The Blues finally got their first power-play opportunity twelve minutes into the 2nd period and made the most of it. Petro scored a nifty backhanded goal past a well-screened (thanks to Patrick Berglund) Rinne to make it 5-1, and the Blues started showing a little life.

After the goal, we started seeing much better puck movement and control from the Blues. Vladimir Tarasenko created multiple scoring chances both on shots of his own and some very nice passing, but Rinne stood tall and stonewalled them all. St. Louis looked better as the period went on, getting a couple more power-play chances but were unable to solve Rinne.

A late penalty on Nashville saw the Blues start the 3rd period with the man advantage. They couldn’t get a shot to go in and finished the night 1 of 4 on the power-play. They’d been strong early in the season but the Blues special teams have been ineffective for the most part over the last three or four games. While the Blues ended up out-shooting the Predators overall 32-19, I didn’t think they were getting enough quality scoring chances. Give credit to Nashville for clogging up the passing and shooting lanes throughout the game, and of course Rinne was stellar, as usual. 

Martin Erat, who had been a non-factor the last time these teams met, had a very strong game for the Preds Tuesday night, with two assists and a goal, the latter coming late in the third, the final nail in the coffin on a very zombie-like performance by the Blues. Wholly a team loss, they missed chances, played poor defense, and left their goaltenders out to dry on most of the Nashville chances.

St. Louis has until Thursday night to regroup. The Detroit Red Wings come to town and the Blues will need to decide if they’re going to continue waiting 20 minutes to start their game, repeating their performances from their last two outings, both losses in which they fell behind 3-0 after the first period.

GO BLUES! Long Live the Note!

June 11, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) makes a save in the third period of game six of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals against the New Jersey Devils at the Staples Center. The Kings won 6-1 to win the series four games to two. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings-

After having a breakout playoffs, Jonathan Quick has been proclaimed to be the best goalie in the NHL. I wouldn’t go that far, but for sure, Quick is a sure fire top goaltender in this league. Posting career bests in both goals per game (1.95) and save percentage (.929), I believe that he is going to continue to play at a superior level this season. With the continued improvement of the King’s defense, as well as an increase in the offensive puck possession, Quick’s win numbers will definitely improve, while his GAA and save percentage should stay relatively constant. Definitely look to pick him up in the early rounds, and to not invest in a backup until late in your draft.

Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators

Rinne was the backbone of a Nashville Predator team that defied expectations and picked up the fourth seed in the playoffs last year. With the loss of Ryan Suter and some offensive role players, I am assuming that Rinne’s win total will undoubtedly fall, but his constant improvement between the pipes should make up for it. He registered a 2.39 GAA and a .923 save percentage last season, but really found his stride in the playoffs, and should be able to continue that momentum into the upcoming season. To be sure, the Predators will be depending on Rinne’s play more than ever, and I believe he will rise to the occasion. Look to pick him up in the early-middle rounds, and expect him to be the rock of your fantasy squad.

Overrated, Risky Propositions

Mike Smith, Phoenix Coyotes

Smith had an amazing run last season, helping to propel the Coyotes to a Pacific Division, posting a career high .930 save

May 15, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) looks on during game two of the Western Conference finals of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

percentage and a 2.21 GAA. He also tallied 38 wins, and with a mediocre (at-best) defense, carried Phoenix into the postseason. In the playoffs, Smith was even better, allowing only 1.99 GAA with a .944 save percentage. In his first year as a starter, Smith had an amazing season. Not to say that Smith cannot have a great season in 2012-2013, but it will be very difficult to replicate his stats from 2011-2012, especially with the further depletion of the defense corps, the possible loss of Shane Doan, and the turmoil surrounding the ownership situation in Phoenix. Smith could still be a top goalie, but I would not be willing to use a pick in the first three or four rounds for him.

Jaroslav Halak, St. Louis Blues

Ranked as the number five goalie by ESPN, it’s clear to me that Halak is overrated. Although his numbers last season were impressive, registering a 1.97 GAA, a .926 save percentage, and 26 wins in only 46 games last season. However, because he will be splitting time with Brian Elliott, it is not wise to pick Halak as your top goaltender. As the Blues bring back a majority of their defense (sans Carlo Colaiacovo), I would expect the penalty kill to further improve, and for the continued chemistry among the D to aid in the improved numbers of the goalie. However, I would be wary to expect the same types of numbers from Halak this season, as his other career numbers suggest that his 2011-2012 season may have been an anomaly. Before last year, Halak’s best GAA was 2.40, and I expect him to move more towards that number in the upcoming season. Do not draft Halak as your number one goalie, if only for the reason that he will not play in as many games as most starters.

Sleeper Picks

Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks-

April 11, 2012; Vancouver, BC, CANADA; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo (1) makes a save against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in game one of the 2012 Western Conference quarterfinals at Rogers Arena. The Los Angeles Kings won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-US PRESSWIRE

After months of trade speculation, Roberto Luongo is still a Canuck. After a down-season last year, many have begun to give up on him as a top-tier, Stanley Cup goaltender. In fact, many in Vancouver have been calling for the turnover to Cory Schneider, whether Luongo is traded or not. It’s not a terrible argument – Luongo finished the season with a .919 save percentage, and allowing 2.41 goals per game. I think all of these reasons will allow him to escape all of the hype and expectations, and have a stellar season between the pipes. Whether he is traded to a smaller-market team or remains in Vancouver, Luongo will be free of the pressure, and could finally start playing up to the level his massive contract permits. I would not draft him in the high rounds, but if he is still around late in your draft, he may be worthy of a backup position – which could pay huge dividends.

Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota Wild

If Backstrom can manage to win the starting job from Josh Harding, he could have a turn-around season in Minnesota. With additions of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, both sides of the ice have improved, and with another offseason of work, the young defensive corps should improve. Last season, Backstrom posted a .919 save percentage and a 2.43 GAA. These were his best numbers since 2007-2008, and I think his numbers should continue to improve this season, beginning with the win totals. If the offense can generate another goal per game, the Wild could be a playoff team, resulting in maybe 10 more wins for their starting goaltender. If he can manage to keep the starting job, Backstrom could have a breakout season at 34 years old.