St. Louis Blues: The Blues at Senators Report Card

The St. Louis Blues went into Ottawa last night in a game they should’ve won easily. They took the win, but it was ugly. Real ugly.

The Blues went into the evening with a 2-0-1 record, having beaten Toronto in their barn and defeating the Dallas Stars, who have come out the gate stumbling. They lost the opener in overtime to the Washington Capitals.

Although now sporting a 3-0-1 record, the Blues should feel fortunate. In all the games the Blues have not been able to string together 60 minutes of solid play. From poor puck possession, at times, to terrible power plays, it’s a small miracle they have the record they do.

This game was no different. The Blues came out flat, which is different than the other games as they usually come out well in the first period. They fell behind 2-0 after the first period. They looked lackluster, sloppy, unmotivated and careless.

Offense- B

If not for the play of Ryan O’Reilly and David Perron this game would have been a loss. The offense failed to generate the kind of pressure we were accustomed to seeing last season. It seemed that the only time we were truly getting some high-grade chances was when Perron and O’Reilly were out there with Sammy Blais.

The first line of Brayden Schenn, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Jaden Schwartz were ineffective at best. Coach Craig Berube has been pushing them to get to their game, but we’ve yet to see it.

More on that to come. I have a special section for them next.

The offense has done enough to win games sure. It seems to be coming from mostly the second line. The first line has contributed, but only Schenn has scored, with 3 goals in 3 games. So it’s not the entire first line.

Schenn excluded, let’s get to the special grade for that line.

Top Line?- D

This line has the makings of a top 5 line in the NHL. Unfortunately, it isn’t performing that way as of yet. If you take away Schenn, Schwartz and Tarasenko have been nearly non-existent. Combined they have 0 G, 4As, 14 SOG, and are a combined minus-5.

Tarasenko has 10 of those 14 SOG, but also carries a minus-3. He has come out the gate in typical, slow Vladi style. He seemed to be gone the entire game last night. One of the go-ahead goals, Vladi was watching as the Senator player went down into the slot, wide open. Four Blues were below the dots and if Vladi is going to hang around up top he needs to be the one covering that slot when a player slithers in there.

Instead, the player was left wide open and the go-ahead goal was scored. Luckily for Vladi, and the Blues, the rest of the team was able to pick them up and carry them to the win. If you aren’t going to be contributing to the game offensively then you had better be contributing physically and defensively.

Schwartz was also out of position a few times in this game and his passing was terrible. Poor passes led to turnovers the other way and broken opportunities to generate some offense.

Defense- C

The Blues defense was uncharacteristically off last night as well. Leaving players open in the slot, not challenging the shooters at times and getting caught standing around, watching the Sens play develop into goals.

There were some good plays, but I’ll take a game of average defense over one that has good plays at times and just barely exists during the rest of the game. Justin Faulk was zipping around and had some good opportunities on the offensive side. Jay Bouwmeester scored a goal, tying the game, and was pinching in well.

Alex Pietrangelo snagged another point with an assist. So, the defense wasn’t completely vacant the entire game. However, too many gaffs in our end and the O-zone leading to good Senator opportunities is what pulled the grade down in this one for me.

Special Teams- D

Once again the power play surrendered a short-handed goal. It’s inexplicable! How does a team on the penalty seem to have the better scoring chances in the game? Tarasenko was non-existent in this game and I’ll have to check my stats, but I believe he’s been on the ice for both the short-handed goals allowed this season.

There wasn’t a penalty called against the Blues so they played a clean game in that aspect. The only reason I gave them a D in this is because they did convert on one of the power-play chances.Other than that the special teams were just especially talented at finding ways to give the Senators good scoring chances and breaks.

Goaltending- C

I am not a Jake Allen apologist. In my mind, he is not a #1 goaltender. He is a back up who has the talent to be a #1 but lacks the mental fortitude or competitive will to be a #1. Sure the puck hopped over his stick. Not his fault. It happens. What I can’t excuse or understand is how he turns and watches the play from behind the net and then decides to saunter over to the front on the net.

No hustle. Mentally soft. Talented sure. Athletic sure. He had some great saves in the game. The defense didn’t help him out much in the game as I mentioned, but the mental gaffs and the lack of perceived determination makes him a backup and a weak trade commodity.

Coaching- D

The Blues were flat most of the game. The power play continues to be terrible. Get rid of the stupid drop pass. Stop with the short side passes and trying to skate it into the zone. Do what you do best and dump it in and retrieve it with your grit. Get the defenses turning around and below the dots.

Overall we won the game and a win is a win. 2 points are always important. The Blues haven’t put together a full 60 minutes yet. It’s coming, but it strongly hinges on the play of the top line. We won’t see a full 60 in my opinion until we see Vladi play a full 60. We’re in Montreal next on Saturday the 12th at 6pm (CST).

Drop the puck!