St. Louis Blues: Five Reasons They Win, Five Reasons Minnesota Wins

Blues Are Technically Bigger

As HockeyWilderness pointed out, the St. Louis Blues technically have an advantage in size, at least from their defenders. While this may be one of those things you see on paper, but cannot tell on the ice (as was the case against Chicago last year), it still may have an impact.

The Blues are currently a little thin at the back due to some bumps and bruises. They won’t have any room for further injury as there will be no healthy defenders sitting in the pressbox. Robert Bortuzzo is nursing an injury and will not be available to start the series.

Nevertheless, of the Blues’ regulars, everyone on St. Louis is 6’2 or taller. Minnesota only has three of their main defenders even reaching the 6’2 height line.

The difference here will be the Blues ability to move the puck. Colton Parayko will be especially important in this category.

The 6’6 defender is huge and can be a physical presence. He also has the slick moves of a forward if he so chooses.

Despite his semi-permanent stay in the dog house, Jay Bouwmeester is still an excellent mover of the puck. Alex Pietrangelo is deserving of the captaincy and getting better in all areas by the week.

Joel Edmundson is more of a throwback defender, but capable of getting things done at both ends of the rink if/when necessary too.

The interesting thing is going to be the movement of the puck. From a strict scoring standpoint, the Blues are a ways behind. They have the talent back there, but several players have lengthy goal scoring droughts on the blue line.

In terms of size and mobility, the Blues have the edge. That will be key as even after Yeo left, the Wild continue to be a hard forechecking team.

St. Louis will need to use their size to brush off any hits and still get the puck out of the zone.