The Blues played their true "A" about 5-10 times this year. I really think they changed their philosophy by not burning themselves out each and every night and saving themselves for the playoffs. In Hitch's first few years, they literally played playoff hockey every night, then once the playoffs started, other teams turned it up and the Blues fizzled out (plus injures heading into the playoffs). This year, I think they really took in easy this regular season. When the puck drops in rd 1, I think you will see a completely different Blues team than you have seen most nights this year. They will be banging and smotherthing like there's no tomorrow.