Alright, so after some time do some reflection and returning from downtown, these are my thoughts:
-The Blues are better ES than the the Bruins are.
-Blues cannot let Bruins get anything on special teams. The Bruins are a better team in that regard and the Blues carelessness that led to the 5 on 3(specifically Schenn's boarding penalty, I don't have much of an issue with ROR's penalty. Shit happens when you try to clear the puck and it was fluke) was not good.
-Schwartz and Tarasenko were ghosts tonight offensively. Tarasenko I thought showed up sometimes defensively but Schwartz did nothing. He's been in MIA this series.
-3rd line was the Blues best line tonight. Bozak/Maroon I thought played fine. Didn't notice much from Thomas one way or another.
-I didn't think any of the D played poorly, though I'd rather not see JBo shoot the puck.
-I thought Binnington was OK. Rask was better tonight, but Binnington was good in the beginning of the game and the 3rd I thought he was just OK. The first goal he was left out to dry on the 5 on 3. The one that's going to leave me pissed off is the flukey one that bounced in from near the blue line. His play didn't concern me tonight like Game 3.
-Rask was good tonight. With that being said, I do think the Blues were a little snake bit with regards to scoring tonight. The break away before the 5 on 3, the shot that went off Rask's back and somehow did not end up in the goal, Maroon and Parayko being unable to finish 2 shots are plays that all come to mind.
While I am discouraged that they lost tonight, I don't think it's as bad as the score shows and it's not the worst I felt in this series. Game 3 was much, much, much worse. I think the Blues have a chance in Game 7, but Schwartz and Tarasenko HAVE to show up.
Edited to add: I don't know who I'd scratch for Barbashev. I think Thomas should be playing, as should Blais. Sanford's play has earned him the opportunity to stay in the lineup, IMO. If it was based off performance, I'd say Schwartz, but that won't happen. Nor will Perron be scratched. So the likely suspects are Thomas or Sanford.
Edited a second time: ROR is playing out of his mind currently. If they win Wednesday, he should win Conn Smythe.