GDT: Defending Stanley Cup Champions St. Louis Blues vs. Washington Capitals -- Flags Fly Forever

[67Blues]

Manufactured drama on your part.

Ya think? Sarcasm isn't your strong point.

 

[Stlblue50]

One thing to consider: the Capitals are a VERY good hockey team that won their division last year after winning the Stanley Cup two years ago.

Getting one point out of this distraction-filled game after a short offseason was actually quite an accomplishment.

I wouldn’t say I was expecting worse but I felt like we were the “underdogs” going into last night for reasons that you stated.

I usually don’t put much stock into how teams play in the preseason but the Caps were steamrolling teams. Their only loss was against the Blues in a game that was pretty close.

 

[WeWentBlues]

Speaking of the patches, I think it is bizarre that they used those bad-looking patches instead of the Champions patch that was sold on jerseys all summer.

I agree. Those looked very amateur with all the excess white around the cup. I noticed them right away.

 

[DoubleK81]

You guys do realize the patch is literally a copy of the banner, right?

 

[HighNote]

You guys do realize the patch is literally a copy of the banner, right?

Oh okay.

Yeah they still looked bad. Would have looked better without the white background.

 

[67Blues]

There is an excellent write up on The Athletic about how they created the banner and even the practice run they had all in secrecy. If you have a sub, it is definitely worth the time to read it.

A top-secret assignment: Making the Blues' Stanley Cup...

 

[Brian39]

You guys do realize the patch is literally a copy of the banner, right?

Yes.

And a banner just pasted onto a jersey looks bad. It's the first time a team has worn a Cup Champs patch during the game on their banner raising night and they looked terrible. Meanwhile, this patch already exists, is officially licensed, was sold on a ton of jerseys this summer and doesn't look terrible:

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/GbkAAOSwAAJdGPIy/s-l640.jpg

 

[Ranksu]

I thought Binnington looked a little shaky at the beginning but he settled in nicely and made a lot of really good saves.

It might be the time for Allen vs. Binny for #1 thread?

 

[Ranksu]

Am I only one who would like to separate Pietro - Faulk d-pair?

Dunn - Pietro
Jbo - Parayko
Gunnar - Faulk

 

[AjaxManifesto]

Ya think? Sarcasm isn't your strong point.

Comments on posters rather than the team is your strong point?

 

[fishsandwichpatrol]

If you think YOU'RE feeling down about last night, you should go read the Shark's GDT about their opening game

 

[Xerloris]

Am I only one who would like to separate Pietro - Faulk d-pair?

Yes.

 

[AjaxManifesto]

If you think YOU'RE feeling down about last night, you should go read the Shark's GDT about their opening game

That team gets a ton of free kudos from the national hockey media. But I'm never impressed with them. Actually, in fair disclosure, I have an unhealthy and illogical hatred for that team, it's fans, and that town. This probably stems from my first point about media bias towards the Sharks.

Love that it was VGK that beat em last night. I always enjoy watching VGK games, especially at home.

 

[AjaxManifesto]

Am I only one who would like to separate Pietro - Faulk d-pair?

Dunn - Pietro
Jbo - Parayko
Gunnar - Faulk

I think we need to give it another few games. I don't think it's Faulk, but rather Petros obvious discomfort with playing on a different side.

If the two can get it going, they might give us more backend scoring without losing our D-first focus. That would help us greatly this season.

Then sort out the PP and the home record issues and we have a good shot at making the playoffs and going deep.

 

[fishsandwichpatrol]

That team gets a ton of free kudos from the national hockey media. But I'm never impressed with them. Actually, in fair disclosure, I have an unhealthy and illogical hatred for that team, it's fans, and that town. This probably stems from my first point about media bias towards the Sharks.

Love that it was VGK that beat em last night. I always enjoy watching VGK games, especially at home.

I do too, and last year solidified it. I'm more gleeful about their misfortunes than even Chicago and having a cup now makes it so much better.

 

[Ranksu]

I think we need to give it another few games. I don't think it's Faulk, but rather Petros obvious discomfort with playing on a different side.

If the two can get it going, they might give us more backend scoring without losing our D-first focus. That would help us greatly this season.

Then sort out the PP and the home record issues and we have a good shot at making the playoffs and going deep.

Well clearly Pietro's game was akward at offiside. He looked like he got lingering injury. He looked so bad when he played at blueline with backhand. I think there was couple cases where Faulk was left side and make couple really good plays (pass) for example that ROR breakaway just end of 3rd period.

 

[Em etah Eh]

That team gets a ton of free kudos from the national hockey media. But I'm never impressed with them. Actually, in fair disclosure, I have an unhealthy and illogical hatred for that team, it's fans, and that town. This probably stems from my first point about media bias towards the Sharks.

Love that it was VGK that beat em last night. I always enjoy watching VGK games, especially at home.

It probably stems from them knocking your former favorite team (Nashville) out of the WCF years ago...

I kid

 

[simon IC]

Am I only one who would like to separate Pietro - Faulk d-pair?

Dunn - Pietro
Jbo - Parayko
Gunnar - Faulk

Yes.

I think we need to give it another few games. I don't think it's Faulk, but rather Petros obvious discomfort with playing on a different side.

If the two can get it going, they might give us more backend scoring without losing our D-first focus. That would help us greatly this season.

Then sort out the PP and the home record issues and we have a good shot at making the playoffs and going deep.

I agree with Ranksu. Vehemently. After reviewing last night's game, the first thing that stood out to me was how shaky Pietrangelo was, especially defensively. This experiment of Alex on the left side needs to end now. It is absolutely, without question, a defensive liability. As I thought it would be.

 

[EastonBlues22]

I do it pretty much exclusively.

Yeah, but you're also a goalie so the sanity of all your on-ice life choices is immediately called into question.

 

[Brian39]

Am I only one who would like to separate Pietro - Faulk d-pair?

Dunn - Pietro
Jbo - Parayko
Gunnar - Faulk

I'm not there. With that said, I want to see Faulk as the guy on the left side and my hope is that we're using Petro there for just a couple games while Faulk learns our system.

Ideally, I want to see Faulk moved to the left side and then get a 10-15 game sample of 72-27 before I make a judgment. There are absolutely going to be bumps along the way, but the decision between using Faulk as a top 4 D or the 3rd pairing D is too important long-term to abandon the experiment after 2 games (one of which was a preseason game).

I'm not sold that it will work, but we owe it to ourselves to figure it out and make a decision with a month+ of data in October instead just assuming it won't. I may change my tune on that if we are 2-5-1 in a couple weeks, but I don't think the hiccups we'll see while we figure it out are going to cause that.

 

[67Blues]

St. Louis Blues Champs Banner Raising Panoramas

 

[AjaxManifesto]

St. Louis Blues Champs Banner Raising Panoramas

Those are nice. Get the print and frame it yourself. Save a ton.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Am I only one who would like to separate Pietro - Faulk d-pair?

Dunn - Pietro
Jbo - Parayko
Gunnar - Faulk

I’d prefer if we can see whether one is more effective on the left side and be able to keep both in the top 4. But there needs to be a couple weeks or so of games before we can see anything.

 

[67Blues]

I’d prefer if we can see whether one is more effective on the left side and be able to keep both in the top 4. But there needs to be a couple weeks or so of games before we can see anything.

This makes sense. I'd give them through this month and see how it pans out. Many times the two of them would switch sides during the plays. I did see one time where Petro absent mindedly skated to the right side and suddenly realized he was on the left. Give them time to practice together. I am betting we see a much smoother pair on Saturday after a couple of practices under their belts.

 

[Quaz]

Am I only one who would like to separate Pietro - Faulk d-pair?

Dunn - Pietro
Jbo - Parayko
Gunnar - Faulk

I am in agreement with these pairings for the Sat game against Dallas.