GDT: WCQF Game #2 | St. Louis Blues @ Winnipeg Jets | "Do we look nervous?"

[The Note]

Months ago I won tickets to sit on top of the Green Monster in Fenway and of course the game is tonight. So I’m actually thankful for the 9:30 EST start time. I’ll be sporting Blues hat up there until I leave, figured wearing a Blues jersey to a Sox/Orioles game was bad form.

 

[hullderko]

Let's score more than 2 in this one and back Sanford up with some team grit when he gets pummeled before touching the puck.

 

[Brian39]

I think Sanford will get another chance tonight, but I don't think the criticism is just 'fans needing something to complain about.' He played pretty poorly and looked absolutely overwhelmed by the physicality. He was easily the worst player on the ice for the Blues (although Thomas gave him a run for his money in the first 30 minutes) and that was reflected by Berube essentially stapling him to the bench in the 2nd half of the game and double shifting guys into his spot while he kept rolling Barby/Steen out there.

Again, I think he will get a shot to redeem himself tonight because his overall body of work this season is better than his competition. But if he looks like that again, he's probably done for the series and someone else will get plugged in.

 

[LGB51]

It's just how sports fans operate. There has to be one thing to complain about. Today, it's the 4th liner that played 6 minutes in Game 1 lol

Sanford isn't coming out of the lineup. He's a strong defensive forward and Berube said he likes what he brings on the PK. He's not going to take that kind of player out of the game. Not when he's being asked to play 4th line minutes. That is what 4th liners do.

I'll admit, his offensive game has gone way downhill. He showed plenty of glimpses of 35-45 point potential earlier in the year. Now? He's a little lost with the puck on his stick. Defensively, though, he is always in a good position and his long reach causes headaches for opponents.

It is POSSIBLE that Sammy Blais takes his spot tonight but only if Berube wants a guy who will throw his weight around. I think that would be a TERRIBLE idea. The last thing we need is a young kid getting out of position to throw pointless video game hits rather than staying in passing and shooting lanes. We can't outhit Winnipeg so there is no need to try to keep up. Play smarter.

If it ain't broke.

 

[Honeycutt]

I think Sanford will get another chance tonight, but I don't think the criticism is just 'fans needing something to complain about.' He played pretty poorly and looked absolutely overwhelmed by the physicality. He was easily the worst player on the ice for the Blues (although Thomas gave him a run for his money in the first 30 minutes) and that was reflected by Berube essentially stapling him to the bench in the 2nd half of the game and double shifting guys into his spot while he kept rolling Barby/Steen out there.

Again, I think he will get a shot to redeem himself tonight because his overall body of work this season is better than his competition. But if he looks like that again, he's probably done for the series and someone else will get plugged in.

Agreed 100%. I got faith Sanford will respond. I don't believe he had much if any previous playoff experience, he will be more prepared. If not at least the jets are taking their frustration out on him and not our skill players. So it really is a win/win for the Blues

 

[Xerloris]

It's just how sports fans operate. There has to be one thing to complain about. Today, it's the 4th liner that played 6 minutes in Game 1 lol

Sanford isn't coming out of the lineup. He's a strong defensive forward and Berube said he likes what he brings on the PK. He's not going to take that kind of player out of the game. Not when he's being asked to play 4th line minutes. That is what 4th liners do.

I'll admit, his offensive game has gone way downhill. He showed plenty of glimpses of 35-45 point potential earlier in the year. Now? He's a little lost with the puck on his stick. Defensively, though, he is always in a good position and his long reach causes headaches for opponents.

It is POSSIBLE that Sammy Blais takes his spot tonight but only if Berube wants a guy who will throw his weight around. I think that would be a TERRIBLE idea. The last thing we need is a young kid getting out of position to throw pointless video game hits rather than staying in passing and shooting lanes. We can't outhit Winnipeg so there is no need to try to keep up. Play smarter.

He played 6 minutes because he's shit. He's been shit for months. This isn't new and our hate of him is not new so don't act like it is. He's weak and you can tell he has no intensity or determination. He gets knocked off the puck by a slight bump because he's like one of those kids in 6th grade that hit a growth spurt to 6'2 over the summer but has no muscle mass to back it up.

 

[Klank Loves You]

I'd take Blais, McMac, and Fabs over Sanford, in that order.

 

[Halak Ness Monster]

Hard pass on playing Fabbri. Kid is done for the year unless injuries hit. He had his chances. He was lost offensively. He was even more lost defensively.

2016 Fabbri isn't walking through that door this season. Hopefully he improves a lot over the summer. He wasn't an NHL player this year.

I would try Blais if we must switch it up but I could easily see him leaving his position to go make a pointless hit. Adam Cracknell style. Also, he looked ATROCIOUS offensively for 95% of the year. You'd only be switching to light a fire under Sanford if Zach doesn't play better than he did in Game 1. Hopefully Game 1 was a wakeup call for him. He was solid in the regular season. It's time to step it up a notch.

 

[Bobby Orrtuzzo]

As usual, I’ll be stuck at work listening (feel like I’m there more than my own home lol lol), but anyways...

LETS ****ING GOOOOO

 

[LGB51]

Hard pass on playing Fabbri. Kid is done for the year unless injuries hit. He had his chances. He was lost offensively. He was even more lost defensively.

2016 Fabbri isn't walking through that door this season. Hopefully he improves a lot over the summer. He wasn't an NHL player this year.

I would try Blais if we must switch it up but I could easily see him leaving his position to go make a pointless hit. Adam Cracknell style. Also, he looked ATROCIOUS offensively for 95% of the year. You'd only be switching to light a fire under Sanford if Zach doesn't play better than he did in Game 1. Hopefully Game 1 was a wakeup call for him. He was solid in the regular season. It's time to step it up a notch.

I am a firm believer in the if it ain't broke don't fix it approach as long as he isn't hurting the team or increasing our chances to lose, but I don't think Sanford has another gear.

 

[Xerloris]

I am a firm believer in the if it ain't broke don't fix it approach as long as he isn't hurting the team or increasing our chances to lose, but I don't think Sanford has another gear.

Constant turn-overs and forcing other players to be double shifted because he's weak and feeble sure sounds bad to me.

 

[GoldenSeal]

May the Binny Dong Energy be with us. Praise the ROR and BOZAK Gods, Hail to the Chief, and may the Maroon continue to defend us in battle. May the Hockey Gods bless us and Long Live The Note!

 

[BlueDream]

Jets are going with an even more physical lineup tonight. Roslovic is out and Tanev is in. He’s a good energy player.

Blues would be dumb to not put Blais in there. He can give us some energy, which we really need, and cause some havoc on the forecheck.

I agree with “if it ain’t broke” but surely he could play a better 7 minutes than Sanford. Sanford doesn’t “deserve” another chance. He was bad. Give someone else an opportunity instead of stapling them to the press box for a month.

EDIT: And Sanford is in per JR and Korac. Lovely!

 

[DuckTech]

 

[Halak Ness Monster]

Jets are going with an even more physical lineup tonight. Roslovic is out and Tanev is in. He’s a good energy player.

Blues would be dumb to not put Blais in there. He can give us some energy, which we really need, and cause some havoc on the forecheck.

I agree with “if it ain’t broke” but surely he could play a better 7 minutes than Sanford. Sanford doesn’t “deserve” another chance. He was bad. Give someone else an opportunity instead of stapling them to the press box for a month.

EDIT: And Sanford is in per JR and Korac. Lovely!

He's in because we can't match them physically. We can't come close. Why try to be mediocre at something when we can be great at something else?

 

[Halak Ness Monster]

Constant turn-overs and forcing other players to be double shifted because he's weak and feeble sure sounds bad to me.

He had zero giveaways in Game 1.

He also blocked a shot but I probably shouldn't mention that. I mean only 4 forwards had a blocked shot so it's normal.

 

[BlueDream]

He's in because we can't match them physically. We can't come close. Why try to be mediocre at something when we can be great at something else?

What is Sanford great at?

Let’s stop acting like he’s some defensive/PK specialist. He didn’t spend any time killing our penalty last game.

He averaged a whopping 30 seconds a game killing penalties in the regular season. That was 8th on the team among forwards. He barely does it.

As for not being about to match Winnipeg’s physicality, sure we can. They were 16th in the league in hits this season. They’re physical but not overpowering. We can absolutely match that with the right lineup. Unless they have the mindset of people like you and just don’t even try.

 

[STL BLUES]

Let them bring their physical game. The ref’s will call more this game. They have to in order to keep the game under control. Although our PP is weak we just may get one in and it keeps them off their 5v5 game.

The main deal with this game is to weather the first period and stomp on them in the 3rd. Peg has had a dismal end of season third period record. Reported problems with their locker room chemistry. It will be a close game. But, our D will wear them down if we can survive the first period white out and goons.

Blues win three to one with a goal by Dunn.

“Head on a swivel boy!”

 

[Xerloris]

He had zero giveaways in Game 1.

He also blocked a shot but I probably shouldn't mention that. I mean only 4 forwards had a blocked shot so it's normal.

Watch the game. The amount of pucks he gives up because of his inept physical ability is the problem. I don't give a shit if they're technically not a turn-over or not. Don't piddle dick around with technicalities when you know damn well the dude should not be in the game.

 

[Halak Ness Monster]

What is Sanford great at?

Let’s stop acting like he’s some defensive/PK specialist. He didn’t spend any time killing our penalty last game.

He averaged a whopping 30 seconds a game killing penalties in the regular season. That was 8th on the team among forwards. He barely does it.

As for not being about to match Winnipeg’s physicality, sure we can. They were 16th in the league in hits this season. They’re physical but not overpowering. We can absolutely match that with the right lineup. Unless they have the mindset of people like you and just don’t even try.

What was Sanford's PK time in the 2nd half of the season? Seems useless to use stats that include Yeo's game plan when Berube took over after 30ish games and got the team rolling. Besides, I was just quoting Berube who said he liked what Sanford brought as a penalty killer. Talk to Craig about this one.

Also, we were 24th in the league in hits. Those include Yeo stats but that's just not who we are. Why would we not want to stick to the smothering defensive game plan we had in Game 1?

Seems pointless to me to switch up a game plan that limited a high powered offense to 25 shots at home.

 

[STL BLUES]

Watch the game. The amount of pucks he gives up because of his inept physical ability is the problem. I don't give a **** if they're technically not a turn-over or not. Don't piddle dick around with technicalities when you know damn well the dude should not be in the game.

Calm down Xerloris!

We’ve got another eight hours till the puck drops.

Save your adrenaline for the game.

 

[carter333167]

LGB!!!!!

 

[Halak Ness Monster]

Alright guys I'm done talking about a 4th line player. This is ridiculous. Sanford won't win or lose us the series.

I trust Berube's decision making.

 

[Honeycutt]

There is a reason our coaching keeps playing Sanford over "so many much better hockey players". Maybe it's because he is a better option than sammy "I'm suppose to stay healthy? "Blais and Robby " I had a good three month stretch three years ago and I look like a try real hard to people who watch me on tv and therefore think I am better than i really am" fabbri.

But hey it's a game day so let's all act like we are hockey experts and dissect every little thing a 4th liner does wrong. (Brian39 is excluded from my comment, dude provides actual insight)

Blues win and Sanford scores!

 

[tkenney65]

I don’t get the Sanford hate. He didn’t have a great game, but he head a great bang bang play where his redirect just missed. If that went in, I suspect there would be less critics. Let’s see how he responds tonight. If he wilts again, I think Berube May go elsewhere, but I think he gives Sanford another game.

Couldn't agree more. He had a brutal 1st period....taking several big hits and a bad turnover to avoid a big hit. Clearly not good, but the way he is hammered on this board is comical. I thought ALL the young guys (Dunn, Thomas and Sanford) were tentative in the first period. The Jets were pounding anything that moved and they were all gripping the sticks a little too tight. He is the 12th forward! He had maybe 2 shifts the rest of the game. The first was a good one where the 4th line kept the Jets pinned in their own end. The other one was the one where he almost scored on a redirect. If he looks horrible tonight then he should sit. But I have never seen a board so enamored with hammering a 4th line player. Other players make the same mistakes he makes and it goes without mention. He almost scores on a redirect and instead of "damn that almost went in", we hear "I can't believe he didn't finish that, he needs to sit". It just cracks me up. I guess everyone here knows more than Chief....lol.