Dr.Sens(e)
Registered User
With their loss to the Vancouver Canucks in 6 games, the St. Louis Blues organization will yet again face a long offseason filled with numerous questions, not the least of which will be the recurring question (read: Nightmare) about their goaltending.
After outshooting a powerful Canucks team in 5 of the 6 games, the most glaring statistic at the end of the series is .888 v .925. Those are of course, the relative save percentages of Christobal Huet and Martin Brodeur, respectively, at the end of the series.
While the Blues didn't expect Huet to outduel Brodeur, they had hoped the goaltending match-up would not be so lopsided. In particular when facing a team with the best defence and second best offence at regular season's end.
With one of the most physical lineups in the league, along with arguably the best group of blueliners and a solid strategy, the Blues were able to at least contain to a degree, the top line on the Canucks and give themselves the chance to win with significant balance on their lines. The Blues also front loaded their PK team for the first time this year, with the Chara-Pronger duo put on the top unit to face the formidable Canucks trio of Staal, Malkin and Ribiero. The Canucks powerful powerplay was only convert 12.9% of their chances(versus ~19% during the regular season). Of course, with 31 opportunities, the Blues gave them anough chances to still score 4 goals in the 6 games.
That said, the performance of Joe Thornton also can't be ignored. With but 2 assists in 6 games, Thornton once again disappointed in the post-season. However this year, Big Joe also struggled during the regular season as well, while coaches tried to find the right compliment(s) to him on the top line. His post-season wingers of Mark Recchi and Guilluame Lattendresse were hardly elite when matched up against the Canucks top unit.
So, will the Blues finally make a move for a legitimate #1 goaltender? Will Thornton survive the purge that is likely to occur this offseason? Is the dressing room big enough for both Chara and Pronger? With Daniel Alfredsson the only elite winger, and an aging one at that, will the Blues fill the void left by the departure of Dany Heatley? Now firmly removed from their three consecutive President Trophies, should the team take a step back to reload versus counting on their current core, that might have missed their window?
No one within the Blues organization knows the answers to these questions at this point, but rest assured, they are taking a long look in the mirror and no player is likely untouchable.
After outshooting a powerful Canucks team in 5 of the 6 games, the most glaring statistic at the end of the series is .888 v .925. Those are of course, the relative save percentages of Christobal Huet and Martin Brodeur, respectively, at the end of the series.
While the Blues didn't expect Huet to outduel Brodeur, they had hoped the goaltending match-up would not be so lopsided. In particular when facing a team with the best defence and second best offence at regular season's end.
With one of the most physical lineups in the league, along with arguably the best group of blueliners and a solid strategy, the Blues were able to at least contain to a degree, the top line on the Canucks and give themselves the chance to win with significant balance on their lines. The Blues also front loaded their PK team for the first time this year, with the Chara-Pronger duo put on the top unit to face the formidable Canucks trio of Staal, Malkin and Ribiero. The Canucks powerful powerplay was only convert 12.9% of their chances(versus ~19% during the regular season). Of course, with 31 opportunities, the Blues gave them anough chances to still score 4 goals in the 6 games.
That said, the performance of Joe Thornton also can't be ignored. With but 2 assists in 6 games, Thornton once again disappointed in the post-season. However this year, Big Joe also struggled during the regular season as well, while coaches tried to find the right compliment(s) to him on the top line. His post-season wingers of Mark Recchi and Guilluame Lattendresse were hardly elite when matched up against the Canucks top unit.
So, will the Blues finally make a move for a legitimate #1 goaltender? Will Thornton survive the purge that is likely to occur this offseason? Is the dressing room big enough for both Chara and Pronger? With Daniel Alfredsson the only elite winger, and an aging one at that, will the Blues fill the void left by the departure of Dany Heatley? Now firmly removed from their three consecutive President Trophies, should the team take a step back to reload versus counting on their current core, that might have missed their window?
No one within the Blues organization knows the answers to these questions at this point, but rest assured, they are taking a long look in the mirror and no player is likely untouchable.
