The St. Louis Blues had a great opportunity in front of them when they faced the Vegas Golden Knights. They could have ended their home stand strongly and earned points in every single game.
Instead, the Blues embarrassed themselves. They might as well have played their minor league team. At least they would have skated hard enough to put on a show.
Things started all right. The Blues were creating some early chances and forcing some decent saves.
However, as it has been all season long, every mistake goes into the back of the net. Matthew Kessel tried a bad pass up the wing to Dylan Hollway that he was not expecting. The turnover led to former Blue Brandon Saad taking it into the slot and firing it through the legs of Joel Hofer for a 1-0 score at 12:52.
The Blues then got called for a trip a couple of minutes later. The league's worst penalty kill continued to struggle as the Knights scored on a tip-in to make it 2-0.
Just 36 seconds into the second period, the Knights scored again. This time, it was a slap shot from the point that got through traffic, and it was 3-0.
Vegas got its fourth in the third. Yet another turnover, this time at the attacking blue line, led to a breakaway for Tomas Hertl, and he sniped it into the upper corner for a 4-0 score.
It may as well have ended there as far as the Blues were concerned. St. Louis got a goal with about four minutes left. Philip Broberg got his second of the year with a wrister to at least not get shut out, but it was bad enough that the crowd booed the team several times during the game and at the end.
Cons: Turnovers
According to the stats, the Knights had 22 giveaways and the Blues had 16. Even if you buy into that, all it does is show that St. Louis can't take advantage, and the Knights did.
At least two of the four Vegas goals came directly off turnovers. That's been the case all season long.
The first goal should never have happened. It was an easy zone exit with a decent amount of space.
Instead, Kessel didn't even look to see if his teammate was paying attention, and Holloway wasn't even thinking he should've been the outlet. Both share equal blame.
It's all about panic. The Blues just want someone else to make the play and are more than eager to just get rid of the puck.
The same was true with Parayko setting up Holloway for failure on the Hertl break. It's a weak pass back to the blue line that forces Holloway to reach, and once it's picked off, nobody is in a spot to make a play.
When the Blues have been right, they're strong on the puck and in good body position. When they're losing, they're always reaching, and both passes and pass receptions are with what I call noodle sticks, where you're reaching and the stick is little more than a noodle because your frame isn't strong.
Con: Slow
Call it effort, call it weak mentality or call it being slow. It's all from the same thing.
I don't say these guys don't care because they do. This garbage fans spout about guys getting paid and just shrugging like they don't care is nonsense. You could probably count the number of guys that have ever really done that on one hand.
However, the reality is that the Blues are not doing enough. Maybe they're trying too hard, or maybe they're emotionally defeated. Each individual is the only one who can answer that.
The bottom line is that the fans have the right to boo right now. This team isn't accomplishing enough.
They allowed 33 shots and over 70 attempts at their own goal. That's not doing enough to counter your opponent.
St. Louis only had 23 shots and never had double digits in any period. That's not doing enough.
Guys aren't doing enough to show effort, even if we do agree that they care. The Blues don't have elite speed, but they're not nearly as slow as they look. They're afraid, inside their heads, and backing off, which just makes things worse.
Overview:
It's a rare game where I don't find a pro to at least throw in as a token thing. When you simply get beaten in every phase of the game, it's hard to be positive.
The leaders on this team need to decide what they want this team to be. Fans are tired of hearing the postgame interviews where everyone knows exactly what's wrong, but nobody knows how to fix it.
This is too reminiscent of when David Backes was captain. As great a leader as he was, he couldn't find a way to get the group to change their bad habits, and Doug Armstrong had to make a bold move.
Maybe this team needs a TJ Oshie-type trade just to shock them. Clearly, benchings aren't having an effect for more than a game.
There is no shame in losing to Vegas. They're much better than their record shows. It's how this team keeps losing. Things just aren't really being fixed, and it's going to cost someone dearly.