Pivotal month ahead

As the NHL season reaches its half way point, I can sit and look at the standings with a rather satisfied grin on my face. I have posted previously on how 'The Hitch' has turned things around, so I won't bore you again with that.

Instead, I will look forward to the month of January - and what a pivotal month in the Blues season this will be. We have a total of 11 games, 9 of these at home and 8 of the 11 against conference rivals. The month has already opened with a 4-1 home win over Phoenix. Next up are the Oilers and Avs, both at home, before we go to Montreal. Then, its back home for a five games. The first three will be tough, as its the Nucks, Wild and then the Stars. This will be followed by the Oilers and Sabres. The month ends away at the Wings, followed by the Pens at home on the very next evening.

A good haul of points i.e 16+ could see the Blues well on their way towards the play-offs. This haul is very achievable. We have 2pts on the board already and have nothing to fear from the 2 games against the Oilers or the games against the Avs and Sabres. This gives us 10pts. Follow this up with a 3-2-1 record in the remaining games and thats another 7pts and 17pts in total. This would see us move clear of the chasing pack. Then its .500 hockey for the rest of the season and job done.

A haul of 12-14 pts will however, not be a bad result. It should keep the Blues in the current position that they hold and our play-off aspirations will still be in our hands.

Anything less than 12pts (which knowing the Blues, is what we will end up with) will see the Blues fall back into the chasing pack. Our play-off destiny will be as much in the hands of others as our own.

LETS GO BLUES

With Mr Hitch behind the bench I think you will be fine for a playoff spot. He has got the Blues playing some very strong defensive hockey that look capable of beating any team.

Also for the sake of my fantasy league, let's hope Elliott keeps up his performance

Fantasy league! I've not touched mine in weeks!

Actually, sod it. I lost interest early, and it's better for everyone to get an easy week. I won't be partaking next year...

The Blues have been phenomenal under Jitchcock. Long may it continue (sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep...)

Azzy Luongo wrote:I won't be partaking next year...

You promised us that last season...

ronnie pander wrote:

Azzy Luongo wrote:I won't be partaking next year...

You promised us that last season...

Not sure I did actually...but at least it means you get a go next season

Phase 2 of 'operation January' completed. A storming 3rd period sees the Blues passed the Oilers 4-3 - Guess who went to bed when we went 3-1 down

The Blues now 18-0-0 on the season when they have scored 3 or more goals. Only the Bruins 23-0-0 are better.

Looking a sure-fire playoff team this year!

And you have the most home wins too. I'm glad that a young talented team is getting it's shit together - Abaheim did it, Pittxburgh did it, Chicago did it, but most teams fail miserably. I think you're in a great position for a sustained period of competing - a couple of UFAs / trades and you could look pretty imposing!

DRIZ wrote:
The Blues now 18-0-0 on the season when they have scored 3 or more goals. Only the Bruins 23-0-0 are better.

Let's go Bruins!!

But yeah, the Blues are looking good right now.

Thank you for those kind words, gentlemen.

I think we did a stellar job, close season, on the UFA front. I don't think any team did better than Elliott, Langenbrunner and Arnott. Elliott has performed miracles and has taken the pressure off Halak - who himself is 6-0-3 in his last 9 games. Langers and Arnie has provided an experienced backbone and between them are totalling a point a game. We also have seen the return of Perron, who has 14pts from his 15 games. Having him back is like a new signing.

As for trades, I really don't know who I would trade out. We, at the moment, have a roster. We don't have any 'star' names. We have very good players, who play for each other, rather than one 'superstar'. Not sure if going down that road, would be a good thing. If pushed though - Maybe McDonald (when fit), but he's 34, so we really wouldn't get much for him. Maybe Jackman - but his contract would put people off. Polak - too old. Not much there really.

We disposed of all the 'bertie big bollocks' last season - Boyes, Brewer and Johnson and hence we now have a 'team'.

If, we make the play-offs, I know one thing for sure, No one will want to play us - there will be no sweeping this time round!

LETS GO BLUES

Similar thoughts to us trading to improve the Nucks. The only two I'd deal are Ballard (awful contract) and Alberts (pylon). But I doubt there would be any takers...

What about Ballard + 3rd for Jackman?

So, The Blues move to 4-0-0, for the month - and how!

The Avs arrive at the Scotstrade on the back of a shut out win in Detroit. An hour of hockey later, they leave St Louis, pointless and goalless, as the Blues systematically dismantle them with clincal precision.

Then the coup-de-grace as Halak returns to the Bell Centre, shuts out his former employers and finishes the evening by doing a lap of honour, to a standing ovation from the home fans. The Monster is back!!

Those back to back shut outs, take the Blues to 7 for the season, leaving us tied for 1st with the Bruins - a little daja vue, methinks.

Its also take the Blues to 2nd in the Western, a whole world away from the predicted finishing spot expected by the hockey doyens, on this board

Can the Blues make it a hat trick of shut outs? Who knows. The only team standing in their way, are current Conference leaders, Vancouver.

A hat trick of shut outs to maybe take the Blues to the top of the standings, i'm salivating at the thought.

Lord Stanley better start preparing for a possible trip to a new venue....I'm getting a feeling!!!

LETS GO BLUES!!!!!

DRIZ wrote:
Then the coup-de-grace as Halak returns to the Bell Centre, shuts out his former employers and finishes the evening by doing a lap of honour, to a standing ovation from the home fans. The Monster is back!!

Indeed he is - Buffalo 0, Monster happy. Who needs Optimus Reim?

I could type for at least an hour, waxing lyrical. Instead...

I will sit, look at the current Western Conference standings, sometimes allowing myself a little smile and nod of appreciation

LETS GO BLUES!!!!

another victim of 'OMG we are top syndrome'...... welcome friend

not that the blues do not deserve it, just that hockey can be a fickle sport at times

rugby-leafhockeyrocker wrote:another victim of 'OMG we are top syndrome'...... welcome friend

not that the blues do not deserve it, just that hockey can be a fickle sport at times

Its just a friendly little 'pop' on my part , at the naysayers and hockey 'experts' we have on this forum...

To all of you that had the Blues finishing 12th, 13th, 14th or last....ya boo sucks

cough*seasonendsinApril*cough...

ronnie pander wrote:cough*seasonendsinApril*cough...

For the Ducks, Probably...for the Blues...June

DRIZ wrote:

ronnie pander wrote:cough*seasonendsinApril*cough...

For the Ducks, Probably...for the Blues...June

Ok...back in the real world...April - the end of....1st round of the play-offs

I didn't, the Blues are my second favourite Weatern team. I think they're awesome. And now they're proving it!

Still, can't help but laugh...sweeeeeeeeeeeeeep

DRIZ wrote:Its just a friendly little 'pop' on my part , at the naysayers and hockey 'experts' we have on this forum...

To all of you that had the Blues finishing 12th, 13th, 14th or last....ya boo sucks

I predicted the Blues to make the play-offs before the season began (it is in writing if you can be bothered to find it) so I'm quite happy for them to continue like this

BuffonIdol wrote:

DRIZ wrote:Its just a friendly little 'pop' on my part , at the naysayers and hockey 'experts' we have on this forum...

To all of you that had the Blues finishing 12th, 13th, 14th or last....ya boo sucks

I predicted the Blues to make the play-offs before the season began (it is in writing if you can be bothered to find it) so I'm quite happy for them to continue like this

Indeed. I thought they'd end up in a better position last season especially with their great start and feel it's been some time coming for the Blue's youngsters. I too predicted they'd be in the shake up for the play-offs. As Buff and I were saying in the chatbox the other day, the west has actually been fairly predictable. Swap the Wild with the Ducks and it's by the book so far...

So Driz, now that the month of January has ended and with the blues yet to play a game after the ASG. I am interested to hear your conclusions after you described it as a 'pivotal month' for your beloved hockey franchise?

To be honest, I don't think it could have gone much better. 8-1-2 in the 11 games, 18pts out of 22. I would have snapped your hand off on the 1st of Jan for that result. We had to have a big month, with 8 of the 11 being at home.

A little disappointed at the manner of the Detroit defeat, but the only real down side would be, all the other teams in the Central Divison had great months too.

I had hoped that we might be a few point clear at the top of the division. The run in is tough, 9 out of 15 games in Feb are away. 10 out of 15 in March are the same, including an 8 game road trip. So things are going to be tough.

The All Star break came at the wrong time, and with us not playing till Friday, the boys have had 10 days off. I follow a few of them on Twitter and they appear to have needed/enjoyed the break...

Lets hope they haven't enjoyed it too much and taken their eye off the puck!!!