Con: Another bad start
The first shift notwithstanding, the Blues have just been bad in the first period lately. They not only allowed four goals in this game, but they've allowed two or more goals in the first period in five of the last six games.
This comes down the the players. It's not an easy fix, but they have to find some sort of fire within themselves.
You can't keep falling behind and getting down on yourselves. They have to make their luck and it's not happening.
Despite the talent, it was there for the Blues if they made it happen. Coming into this game, the Avs were minus-15 in first-period goal differential. The Blues just couldn't do anything with that.
Overview:
There are a lot of fans out there who are still very upset with this team. That's completely understandable at this point.
Unfortunately, I've reached the point of malaise. I just don't even care right now, which may be worse than being mad.
I still watch because I love the sport and love this franchise. However, there's no reason to believe a turnaround is in store.
The talent level of the individual players is high enough to at least be in playoff contention. They're not on the same level as the Avalanche or the skilled teams, but they were usually willing to outwork them.
That is not the case at all. I don't know who to blame. Every fan has their theories, but it's just spread up and down the lineup no matter where it started.
You've got a few random fights and scrums in an attempt to spark things, but it's all in vain. The entire team is in a slump and nobody has an idea of how to get out of it.
Maybe we've reached the point where a trade needs to be made to send a shockwave through the team like what happened when the Blues traded TJ Oshie. It wouldn't even be a trade with a rebuild in mind, but just changing the locker room chemistry.
There's no simple answer. Jim Montgomery doesn't know what to do and Doug Armstrong is at a loss too. Only the guys with the sweaters can make any changes right now.