Half-Assed GDT: Kraken v Blues

[Blanick]

Final thoughts. I liked Saad with Thomas and Kyrou. I hope that sticks when healthy.

With Husso playing as well as he is, do we go 50/50 with the starts down the stretch to keep Binnington fresh for the playoffs?

I very much noticed the lack of Parayko tonight. His game isn't and will never be flashy but watching tonight I realized all the little things he does so well on the backend.

 

[Meatball]

Great game, whether this team makes a deep run or not, it'll be a fun ride to the end!

Haven't been able to follow closely this season due to work , but this is a fun team to watch, for sure!

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Nice feeling to not constantly be in the mindset of what's going to happen to cost us the game but rather, what we're going to do to win it.

I think this was the Blues' 11th or 12th come-from-behind win this season.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

I think this was the Blues' 11th or 12th come-from-behind win this season.

13th

 

[Davimir Tarablad]

Tonight was Thomas's 7th game of the season with 3+ shots on goal. We're now 6-1-0 when he registers 3+ shots this season. For his career, we're 20-6-1 when he does so, good for a 143 point pace.

So if he could just keep shooting the puck...

Edit: Did the math, we're 92-56-24 when he has <3 shots, good for only a 99 point pace.

 

[stl76]

Cracking the f*** up watching this post game interview with Kyrou and Thomer

EDIT:


Kyrou = grumpy in the morning: confirmed.

 

[542365]

Thomas was buzzin tonight. Glad he was rewarded with a goal. Husso continues to be great. I was concerned with the idea of running him out there as the backup again this year, but he’s been incredible. Keep her rolling against the Leafs!

 

[Meatball]

Thomas was buzzin tonight. Glad he was rewarded with a goal. Husso continues to be great. I was concerned with the idea of running him out there as the backup again this year, but he’s been incredible. Keep her rolling against the Leafs!

Really hope we win for the Dangle-rage.

Either way, the next LFR will be a lotta fun!

 

[Reality Czech]

Final thoughts. I liked Saad with Thomas and Kyrou. I hope that sticks when healthy.

With Husso playing as well as he is, do we go 50/50 with the starts down the stretch to keep Binnington fresh for the playoffs?

I very much noticed the lack of Parayko tonight. His game isn't and will never be flashy but watching tonight I realized all the little things he does so well on the backend.

Saad is a good compliment to those two, I agree. Saader had a very strong game, I thought.

Husso was stellar again and he looks like a real force this season. If the Blues had lost this game, no one could have really been that upset with all the guys out of the lineup but it was great to see the team bear down and get it done.

 

[Ridge1982]

Ugly game... but we get the W. We are going to have to be much better the next two against Toronto and Nashville.

They’re without 5 starters. Anything we get out of them is gravy.

 

[Moose and Squirrel]

JK tried his best to jinx the Blues with Donskoi .

I still like what I see from Kostin but he doesn’t get much ice time. I’d like to see him with more talented teammates but doubt it will happen.

just reading back thru these the morning after (sorry I haven't liked/commented on more of these.. still getting some coffee going lol )

my pov says that this year is about getting kostin ice time and experience, getting familiar with dzone responsibilites, smaller rink, speed of the game..etc...
NEXT year will be his year to shine or stink

 

[finnishflash13]

I was at the game. Kraken's defense did a good job of limiting the Blues' opportunities in the first two periods. I think that's kinda been their M.O. when they're playing their game -- good defense with zero offense. I realize they have some good players out but excluding those players, and their top 4 defensemen of Gio, Dunn, Oleksiak, and Larsson their players seem like glorified AHLers.

Dunn had a great crowd greeting him during warm ups and looked genuinely appreciative during the tribute video.

 

[Brian39]

Not the prettiest game, but we banked the 2 points (and a regulation win for tie break purposes if we get to that point). With the number of guys missing, there is absolutely nothing to complain about there. Buffalo beating Nashville 4-1 was an unexpected bonus too. Hopefully we can get a guy or two back for the Leafs game. That one is going to be tougher.

 

[ScratchCatFever]

Thomas was buzzin tonight. Glad he was rewarded with a goal. Husso continues to be great. I was concerned with the idea of running him out there as the backup again this year, but he’s been incredible. Keep her rolling against the Leafs!

I don't want to get virtually crucified for suggesting this.. But does Thomas remind anyone else of a more modern day Steve Yzerman? He's even built like him with the bulk he put on in the off-season, which has immensely improved his puck protection. He's also incredibly adept at using his feet as an extension of his stick in the more congested areas of the ice to keep plays alive, much like Yzerman was.
There are varying opinions on the importance of wearing a letter on your jersey, be it an A or a C. But, imo Thomas wearing an A last night in place of Parayko says that he's taken the steps to improve that the organization hoped he would and is being recognized for it.

 

[ScratchCatFever]

Cracking the f*** up watching this post game interview with Kyrou and Thomer

EDIT:


Kyrou = grumpy in the morning: confirmed.

Really hope these 2 are still playing together when they're 32 and 33.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Cracking the f*** up watching this post game interview with Kyrou and Thomer

EDIT:


Kyrou = grumpy in the morning: confirmed.

Grumppuccino

That's my new nickname for JK.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

just reading back thru these the morning after (sorry I haven't liked/commented on more of these.. still getting some coffee going lol )

my pov says that this year is about getting kostin ice time and experience, getting familiar with dzone responsibilites, smaller rink, speed of the game..etc...
NEXT year will be his year to shine or stink

I'm willing to give him another 1/4 - 1/3 season this fall, but I have little confidence that he will shine.

"Gifting" Kostin better linemates will do nothing except drag down his better linemates. He has to earn it and, currently, he is not earning it.

That's my opinion, so.....whatever. I just never thought he was that good.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

I don't want to get virtually crucified for suggesting this.. But does Thomas remind anyone else of a more modern day Steve Yzerman? He's even built like him with the bulk he put on in the off-season, which has immensely improved his puck protection. He's also incredibly adept at using his feet as an extension of his stick in the more congested areas of the ice to keep plays alive, much like Yzerman was.
There are varying opinions on the importance of wearing a letter on your jersey, be it an A or a C. But, imo Thomas wearing an A last night in place of Parayko says that he's taken the steps to improve that the organization hoped he would and is being recognized for it.

I see him more as Krejci. 6 foot RHS center that's an Absolutely electric passer, skater, and defensively sound with a poor shot.

 

[Majorityof1]

I see him more as Krejci. 6 foot RHS center that's an Absolutely electric passer, skater, and defensively sound with a poor shot.

That's a good comparison. But with his skating a dangles, he has the potential to be better than Krejci offensively. I think he is faster and better on his edges than Krejci.

 

[i aint Dunn yet]

Buchnevich blasts one by Drieger, on a great feed by Barbashev!!!! Blues lead 2-1!!!!!

the back hand pass from barbie was world class

 

[ChicagoBlues]

the back hand pass from barbie was world class

Yes!

This season Barbashev has put on a backhand show. Who knew this guy could shoot and pass on his backhand?!!!

Ivan has been hiding things from us. I'm a little upset.

 

[Ranksu]

That's a good comparison. But with his skating a dangles, he has the potential to be better than Krejci offensively. I think he is faster and better on his edges than Krejci.

Quick lurk to FO stats. Looks like Thomas has improve his FO game quite bit. This year Thomas has total of 474 faceoff taken and has 50.6%, last season 263 total of faceoffs, but 42.6%. You can easily compare last season and this season, 'cus same amount of games. 2019-20 season 317 total of faceoff taken and 42.9%. Cup season Thomas 220 total of faceoffs and 44.1%.

Look here.

NHL Stats

I really like how much responsibility Thomas has earned or have to play at PK. He is 3rd most used PK'er on forward group. ROR 1st, Sundqvist 2nd and THomas 3rd.

NHL Stats

 

[GoldenSeal]

Legit win and Husso stood really tall. Keep this train going boys!

 

[Reality Czech]

I don't want to get virtually crucified for suggesting this.. But does Thomas remind anyone else of a more modern day Steve Yzerman? He's even built like him with the bulk he put on in the off-season, which has immensely improved his puck protection. He's also incredibly adept at using his feet as an extension of his stick in the more congested areas of the ice to keep plays alive, much like Yzerman was.
There are varying opinions on the importance of wearing a letter on your jersey, be it an A or a C. But, imo Thomas wearing an A last night in place of Parayko says that he's taken the steps to improve that the organization hoped he would and is being recognized for it.

How tall are you? I'm only asking so I can make your cross the appropriate size...

Of course I kid, but that comparison might be a bit much. Yzerman was a dominant goal scorer in addition to his many other talents, so I'm not sure it's the best comparison. Linkin mentioned Krejci, which could be a good comparison, although Thomas seems to be a bit "shiftier" with his quick turns and skating. I wonder if he was inspired by Schwartz, because they both look similar on the cycle. Thomas looks great already, but I'd like to see him shoot just a bit more to keep the defense guessing. It's great to see him getting tougher D assignments and PK time as he develops into more of a two-way center, and who better to have as an example than ROR?

Edit: After wracking my brain to think of a good comparable to Thomas, what about Mike Riberio? Shifty pass-first player who also had great 1-on-1 moves, though Thomas probably has the potential to be a better defensive C than Riberio ever was.

 

[Moose and Squirrel]

How tall are you? I'm only asking so I can make your cross the appropriate size...

Of course I kid, but that comparison might be a bit much. Yzerman was a dominant goal scorer in addition to his many other talents, so I'm not sure it's the best comparison. Linkin mentioned Krejci, which could be a good comparison, although Thomas seems to be a bit "shiftier" with his quick turns and skating. I wonder if he was inspired by Schwartz, because they both look similar on the cycle. Thomas looks great already, but I'd like to see him shoot just a bit more to keep the defense guessing. It's great to see him getting tougher D assignments and PK time as he develops into more of a two-way center, and who better to have as an example than ROR?

Edit: After wracking my brain to think of a good comparable to Thomas, what about Mike Riberio? Shifty pass-first player who also had great 1-on-1 moves, though Thomas probably has the potential to be a better defensive C than Riberio ever was.

Oates?