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Bubba said:
You must be kidding...80 forking games ?? How bout just running your head on every 5th or 6th one.

It's like a freaking bowling league.. there is no end!

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Bubba said:
It's like a freaking bowling league.. there is no end!

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BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!!

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Bubba said:
It's like a freaking bowling league.. there is no end!

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last_stand said:How bout that camera shot of Hull up in the booth after the win? Was he drunk again or just the same knucklehead he's always been?

Brett, we WON.

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That was priceless. I was with some buds and almost everyone of us said the same thing, "I wonder if he's drunk or really just doesn't give two chits..." I don't think anyone would have been too concerned if he didn't jump out of his seat but you had to wonder if he was even at the game mentally...

Tarasenko should be the "C" for this team. He is the best player and he is a natural leader. After hearing how he conducts himself and how he treats everyone from the janitor to the owner, I think it is clear to say he gets it. That would also free up more time for the Dog-whisperer to concentrate on his 37 pets and finding more in the back alleys of STL...

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sptsman said:

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last_stand said:How bout that camera shot of Hull up in the booth after the win? Was he drunk again or just the same knucklehead he's always been?

Brett, we WON.

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That was priceless. I was with some buds and almost everyone of us said the same thing, "I wonder if he's drunk or really just doesn't give two chits..." I don't think anyone would have been too concerned if he didn't jump out of his seat but you had to wonder if he was even at the game mentally...

Tarasenko should be the "C" for this team. He is the best player and he is a natural leader. After hearing how he conducts himself and how he treats everyone from the janitor to the owner, I think it is clear to say he gets it. That would also free up more time for the Dog-whisperer to concentrate on his 37 pets and finding more in the back alleys of STL...

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griffin said:
You know, what this team really needs is a decent goailie.

Of course, like I said last year, we've had him all along.

You guys are boneheads.

griffin

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Bubba said:
Oh , yippeeeee

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last_stand said:

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Bubba said:
Oh , yippeeeee

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What Bubba.......you got it up again?

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Whoa!

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foots said:

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last_stand said:

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Bubba said:
Oh , yippeeeee

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What Bubba.......you got it up again?

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Whoa!

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No chit my brother.....that's a flagrant foul.

I was gonna ban LS for a week until Bubba just threw in the towel.

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IIFID said:
Not all that of an auspicious beginning.. jes sayin'..

Of course that being said, the Blues defense (calling it that is a stretch) was awful last night!

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last_stand said:


And Senko's got a shot that's better than what's his head.

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Bubba said:
Yeah , but who deserves to wear the "C"?

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Bubba said:
You are not the boss of me!

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Bwaaaaahahahahaha!!! I was talking about the idea of even having a Captain, not your comment.

griffin

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griffin said:

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Bubba said:
You are not the boss of me!

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Bwaaaaahahahahaha!!! I was talking about the idea of even having a Captain, not your comment.

griffin

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last_stand said:


You think "Blues have a goalie problem" is some kind of news?

Halak was here for 4 years. Armstrongs own guy. He never did chit. He hated it here and finally no one wanted him here. He brewed, he stewed, he whined. A real headcase. He was never going to win anything here.

As for Allen, did you not wonder why he never played a game up here all of last year? With all the problems we had?

As for Elliott, he's always been under rated overall as a goalie imo. Ottowa and St. Louis. My ONLY complaint about him is his own playoff performance. Both series he's had, he folded with soft goals after playing brilliantly early on to open the series up. And THAT'S why Armstrong did what he did last year. Right or wrong, that's why he did it. THAT'S why he brought Miller in net for post season. You wanna make a point over and over how wrong it was fine. Pretty clear it didn't work out, and you can think whatever the fork you want but not for one second do I think Halak was ever going to bring us anything.

I don't call Elliott a mistake. Not by a long shot. And he's been unfairly maligned by a lot of fans here. But Halak, Miller and very possibly Allen ARE mistakes. And that just covers the last 4 years of the Blues long running woes in goal.

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last_stand said:
Blah blah blah. Two months ago you said this team was the best in hockey. Now it's all ruined because Halak isn't here? Good grief man.

When did I rave on Allen? I wondered why he wasn't brought up last year, now I know why.

The main thing I've said negative on Elliott is about his post season play the past 2 years.

Best tandem in hockey? bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...............right, Armstrong got rid of Halak, who he traded for, who he waited for, who never did chit here in 4 years, for the fun of it. And just when he was ready to come thru.

You can't make this kind of good chit up.

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IIFID said:
And all of them have forked up foot work damnit!

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griffin said:

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IIFID said:
And all of them have forked up foot work damnit!

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That may be true for Last Stand and sptsman, but Bubba can dance.....I've seen it.

griffin

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I'm sure that there are some folks here that have a video they can post up as proof that Bubba can hang with anything you will see on Dancing With The Stars

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IIFID said:
Umm.. we do need to see that...

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Uhhh..........no we don't. Bubba aint getting any younger ya know.

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dabs said:
You can see him on the new hit ABC series -

Dancing with the Scars!! :lol:

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fastman said:

Odd that no 1 said a word bout that lowly Capitan.

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Then let me reiterate what I have always said. Backes is a very good player. He could even be great. He has the skills and the heart. But he is dumb as a bag of hammers and his being the Captain is an obstacle this team has to overcome. I think they can, as long as one of the strays he picks up on the way to the games doesn't bite Tarasenko and give him rabies...

Think Pete Rose. Great talent, grinder, big heart but dumber than dirt. Too stupid to get out of his own way. Pete Rose is David Backes, without all the stray animals.

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IIFID said:
Offense showed up again...

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Bubba said:
Hey , you sweater wearers , it has been 4 days without some riveting indepth analysis of your beloved Blues! Don't let me down.

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You may have to swear off hockey altogether once you hear what else they wear, like breezers and garter belts to hold up their stockings...

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griffin said:
Top team in scoring....when was the last time that happened?

Elliot is looking sharp...not out of position once tonight.

Man, I miss Miller....if we just had him every piece would be in place.

Go Blue!

griffin

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griffin said:
Jaden Schwartz is the oil that makes the wheels spin fast.....he is the ONLY player on that team that hasn't taken a single shift off. He works harder and creates more chances than anyone on that team. When he was injured the wheels slowed down considerably.

Schwartz is the MVP of the Blues at this point of the season......easily.

griffin

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Are you smokin' crack again? Schwartz is a very good player and certainly an important cog in this team. But if you think he is the team MVP over Tarasenko or Shattenkirk, you are either wacky on the junk or just trying to get a rise out of Bubba and me. Even Bubba can see that your assessment is flawed. No doubt they missed him while he was out but they also had Elliot out for a portion of that time and were playing the best teams in the NHL.

If you had to start a team with only one player, using the first 45 games of this season as your guide, you would pick Schwartz over Tarasenko and Shattenkirk? Please tell me you haven't lost your mind...

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last_stand said:
As to MVP, I would say the jury is still out between the two.

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The jury has to make a call now. It was based on the first 45 games of the season. So, make a pick.

griffin, +/- may be the single most telling stat but it certainly has its flaws as well. There are plenty of great players that are asked to be on "checking lines" that play against the opposition's top lines game after game. It is not as prevalent as it used to be but there are still plenty of players tasked with shutting down top lines (Patey, Zuke, Dunlop, Crombeen, etc...). Those guys will never have great +/- stats because they rarely are on the ice when their team scores and it is considered a successful night when you hold an all-star opponent to just one or two points. Backes has actually been doing some of this work recently and he only +5. Not bad but you'd think he would be +10 or better, as much as he scores. But his +5 is understandable...

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sptsman said:

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last_stand said:
As to MVP, I would say the jury is still out between the two.

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The jury has to make a call now. It was based on the first 45 games of the season. So, make a pick.

griffin, +/- may be the single most telling stat but it certainly has its flaws as well. There are plenty of great players that are asked to be on "checking lines" that play against the opposition's top lines game after game. It is not as prevalent as it used to be but there are still plenty of players tasked with shutting down top lines (Patey, Zuke, Dunlop, Crombeen, etc...). Those guys will never have great +/- stats because they rarely are on the ice when their team scores and it is considered a successful night when you hold an all-star opponent to just one or two points. Backes has actually been doing some of this work recently and he only +5. Not bad but you'd think he would be +10 or better, as much as he scores. But his +5 is understandable...

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sptsman said:
Now I'm just worried about griffin's mental health...

On the other hand, he may have a future in the NHL as an assistant to GM's. While they search high and low for the top talent to fill their rosters, apparently, he can find top goal scorers and defensemen all day long. It's guys that skate hard you just can't find...

On to the next thing...

Did anyone else hear the Jeff Brown (former Blues defenseman) interview on 550 AM last night? He's coaching in the minors but seems to be connected to everyone and have his finger on the pulse of all things hockey, from the juniors to the AHL to the NHL. Andy Strickland was the host. Jeff's son Logan is a top prospect but he's only 16 and won't be eligible for the entry draft until 2016. The kid is 6'-6" and apparently has top speed and mad skills. Logan Brown info

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griffin said: ...if you subtracted from both Tarasenko and Schwartz's total points the goals that each assisted each other...

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If my grandmother had balls... Being injury prone is not a great attribute for being an MVP either. Not only is Tarasenko better, he can stay on the ice...

But I will surrender. I thought I had a good argument going then you just blew me out of the water with one number, 38. Had I known Schwartz was #38 on the points total, I would have never said a word. Wow, #38 is great. What is Tarasenko on that list, #9 or something? What a joke. Starting to wonder why they even keep him...


Again, you won this one, hands down...

Boy, do I feel stupid. I never saw that #38 stat coming. It just hit me like a Mack truck...

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last_stand said:


Alls I know is griffin says it's not Elliott.

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griffin said:
...and surely you also realize that both Schwartz and Tarasenko are averaging a point a game, right? (Tarasenko 1.02 and Schgwartz .95 ppg)

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Again, I concede. You just keep blowing me out of the water with these stats. First I have to concede that any sane person would want he guy that is 38th in points over the guy that is 9th. As if that wasn't enough humiliation, I now have to admit that a guy scoring 1.02 points per game is clearly inferior to the guy scoring .95 ppg. Oh the humiliation!!

Maybe you should just stop posting stats. I can't take it any more...

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griffin said:Again, Tarasenko needs Schwartz, not the other way around. Schwartz elevates everyone's game, no matter who he plays with. Not so for Tarasenko....no matter how good his hands are.

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OK, just so I am clear in my concession speech... As long as Schwartz is on the ice and skating really hard, most players in Tarasenko's position would have the same or similar success. And without Schwartz on the ice, skating really hard all the time, Tarasenko is just another average player? Or as you put it, Tarasenko needs Schwartz but Schwartz does not need Tarasenko. I think I got it now...

Please tell me you're just trolling...

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IIFID said:
And it could be too many years of me thinking "This is the year!" only to watch them go down in flames..

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It's called being a Blues fan. Get used to it...

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sptsman said:

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griffin said:
...and surely you also realize that both Schwartz and Tarasenko are averaging a point a game, right? (Tarasenko 1.02 and Schgwartz .95 ppg)

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Again, I concede. You just keep blowing me out of the water with these stats. First I have to concede that any sane person would want he guy that is 38th in points over the guy that is 9th. As if that wasn't enough humiliation, I now have to admit that a guy scoring 1.02 points per game is clearly inferior to the guy scoring .95 ppg. Oh the humiliation!!

Maybe you should just stop posting stats. I can't take it any more...

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griffin said:Again, Tarasenko needs Schwartz, not the other way around. Schwartz elevates everyone's game, no matter who he plays with. Not so for Tarasenko....no matter how good his hands are.

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OK, just so I am clear in my concession speech... As long as Schwartz is on the ice and skating really hard, most players in Tarasenko's position would have the same or similar success. And without Schwartz on the ice, skating really hard all the time, Tarasenko is just another average player? Or as you put it, Tarasenko needs Schwartz but Schwartz does not need Tarasenko. I think I got it now...

Please tell me you're just trolling...

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IIFID said:
Here's a little sumptin sumptin for bofus of you crackers:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/schw...ists/ar-AA8uhM2

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I don't need to see that.......but make sure the south half of dumb and dumber gets a look.

griffin

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IIFID said:
Do you think the style of hockey this team is playing can translate into success in the playoff?? I'm not sure. Playoff hockey games seldom resemble regular season open style hockey. The Blues are skilled but not like the Oilers of the 80's. Playoff hockey is a lot more physical and is more of a grind it out kind of game. Referees swallow whistles as well. I don't know if this team is ohysical enough.
Thoughts?

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last_stand said:

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IIFID said:
Do you think the style of hockey this team is playing can translate into success in the playoff?? I'm not sure. Playoff hockey games seldom resemble regular season open style hockey. The Blues are skilled but not like the Oilers of the 80's. Playoff hockey is a lot more physical and is more of a grind it out kind of game. Referees swallow whistles as well. I don't know if this team is ohysical enough.
Thoughts?

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While ya'll are all busy giving out awards at mid season, not even mid season since the REAL SEASON is 2 plus months away, let's take a look at the last 10 games played.

We are 7-3. Great. Woohoo.

Only problem is the 3 losses came against the Ducks, the Preds and the Wings.

Uhhhhhhh.....the good teams. The type of teams you have to beat from the git go in this playoff format.

I do think Schwartz, Lehtera and Teresenko have added a huge missing ingredient for playoff success that this team has sorely needed. If Hitchcock doesn't fork this thing up I think the offense is good enough to win post season. And I think these 3 guys have forced Hitch to change up his puck control system a little bit too.

That leaves goal tending and defense as to how deep we can go, imo.

griffin says Elliotts gold. We'll see. If he is, one huge hurdle jumped.

As for this D being ready in play offs? I don't see it good enough or tough enough to go deep. If the team makes a big move before the deadline, I think it's going to be on the blue line. And it better not be for another quick stick. We need some beef.

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Bubba said:
No
Maybe
Perhaps
Indeed
Elliot
Why not

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See, Schwartz even makes Bubba better...

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sptsman said:

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Bubba said:
No
Maybe
Perhaps
Indeed
Elliot
Why not

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See, Schwartz even makes Bubba better...

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IIFID said:
The Blues gave away a point last night in my opinion. I really think they were out-played in the third third pretty thoroughly. Way too many giveaways in their own zone. A game like that will cost them dearly in the playoffs.

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That was not their best game but... 1) They hadn't played in 10 days. Being disorganized at times and some sloppy play was to be expected. 2) They came back from a 2 goal deficit to get a win. 3) They were playing the 2nd best team in the NHL (by point standings).

I'll look at it as picking up a point on Nashville, rather than giving away anything...

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IIFID said:
And for those keeping score at home - a goal for Schwartz (How did he miss that chance in OT??) and an assist for Tarasenko..

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But both were -2... That is a little something to watch for against the better teams. Both of those guys are young and still developing their two-way play. Schwartz is actually a little better than Tarasenko in that area right now. If you were watching the last 6-8 games closely, Tarasenko has a few cough-ups and poor back-checking efforts in some of those games. I have little doubt Hitchcock and the coaching staff are working with him on that.

How about Ryan "Bret Hull" Reaves last night? Letting one go from the top of the circle and going 5-hole? Who would have guessed Reaves and Ott would account for half of the scoring against Nashville?

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sptsman said:
Who would have guessed Reaves and Ott would account for half of the scoring against Nashville?

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Bubba said:
I swear they looked like a junior college cross country team. Pretty boys with great hair....

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griffin said:
BIG road win for the Blues today in Washington. Those are the games they have to win. Stastny still needs to get going....he has been a disappointment. This team can be complete if he ups his game to his talent level.

Hopefully Shattenkirk is not injured badly.

This is a really good hockey club.

griffin

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griffin said:
BIG road win for the Blues today in Washington. Those are the games they have to win. Stastny still needs to get going....he has been a disappointment. This team can be complete if he ups his game to his talent level.

Hopefully Shattenkirk is not injured badly.

This is a really good hockey club.

griffin

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griffin said:
Wow!!!!

If we just had Ryan Miller.

griffin

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I believe the "Beating a dead horse smilie" was created with Griffin specifically in mind.. jes sayin'..

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IIFID said:

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griffin said:
Wow!!!!

If we just had Ryan Miller.

griffin

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I believe the "Beating a dead horse smilie" was created with Griffin specifically in mind.. jes sayin'..

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IIFID said:
13 game point streak! And don't look now but the Note sits atop the Central..

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While finishing first will be beneficial for the playoffs, I am not losing sleep over it. A Cup is the only goal this year. I could care less about the Presidents Trophy or anything else. It is Stanley Cup or bust!!!

That being said, this team is fun to watch...

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griffin said:

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IIFID said:

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griffin said:
Wow!!!!

If we just had Ryan Miller.

griffin

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I believe the "Beating a dead horse smilie" was created with Griffin specifically in mind.. jes sayin'..

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'Tis true.......I'm never going to get over breaking up what was one of the best goalie tandems in hockey at the time for a washed up head case....and the fawning by these idiots over it.

No, I don't think Halak was a #1.....but even then Elliot sure as hell was. That trade was an abortion....and we got dick for Halak.

The Blues and their fans are retards when it comes to goalies. Uh......just a reminder.....we had Bishop too.

griffin

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Bubba said:
Yeah , but , Elliot stunk up the place last night..

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Beano might help

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Bubba said:
Yeah , but , Elliot stunk up the place last night..

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sptsman said:
Yesterday's Hawks game was a statement game.

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fastman said:


& can prolly outgoff 99.99% of u yeah oozs still.

]
I AM that .01% !!

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griffin said:

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sptsman said:
Yesterday's Hawks game was a statement game.

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I love the way "hockey people" throw this term around. What a crock of horseshit. The Blues need to make some adjustments now that Shattenkirk is down.....that's pretty much the only thing that has changed from the team that took 25 of 26 points before losing the last two. This game says NOTHING about this team that has played 7 games in 11 days without some big guns....traveling back and forth non-stop.

Geezus....."statement game".....forking stop already. There are 28 games left.

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sptsman said:

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griffin said:

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sptsman said:
Yesterday's Hawks game was a statement game.

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I love the way "hockey people" throw this term around. What a crock of horseshit. The Blues need to make some adjustments now that Shattenkirk is down.....that's pretty much the only thing that has changed from the team that took 25 of 26 points before losing the last two. This game says NOTHING about this team that has played 7 games in 11 days without some big guns....traveling back and forth non-stop.

Geezus....."statement game".....forking stop already. There are 28 games left.

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People throw that around because it has some merit. You really don't think the Hawks left STL Sunday afternoon feeling just a little more confident about who they are and how they just handled the Blues? You really don't think some, if not most of the Blues felt they were just reminded of the last two years of playoff exits (one of which was by the Hawks!!)? You really don't think Elliott left that building wondering "what if" he would have made just one or two more saves? No doubt he has the talent and skills. The doubt is whether or not he has the mental toughness to succeed in the big games. Yesterday was a big game...

I am placing all of my hope in the fact the Hitchcock can coach them through this and have them ready for the playoffs. And I'm praying like hell Elliott can finally rise to the occasion, instead of folding like a cheap tent when he's needed the most...

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HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! No, I think Elliot probably left that building thinking....I'm hungry, let's go grab a burger.

I believe Hitchcock's answer when asked if this was a "character game" (another made up phrase by hockey dimwits) was, "uh....not with a third of the schedule still to play".

Seriously......we can save the catchy hockey phrases for a while and just enjoy some really good hockey.

Two losses and you revert to meaningless hockey clichés.....you sound like Backes.

I'm thinking we should take your moderator status away and make you Captain.

griffin

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griffin said:
I can't figure out what the fork Tarasenko was doing last night. I have seen him try to be way too cute with passes, etc. in the last few months......last night he wouldn't even pass the puck. It was almost like someone had talked to him about shooting more and he took it to another level.

The Blues absolutely sucked last night. There is not one good takeaway from that game.

My daughter looked a bit horrified when I caught myself yelling "whatever you do, Bergland, don't hit anyone.....just skate around".

griffin

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Well.. I don't think anyone got hurt last night.. so there is that..
And you could probably yell that at every game..

BTW it is entertaining to trade texts with Wags during a game at least.. until he shuts it off in disgust..

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last_stand said:
ahhhhh March is approaching, spring may soon be in the air.

l'es see......spring agenda...........check Blues stats.....hmmm.....

Ell's is 2-4 his last 6 starts.

Allen is 6-0 his last 6 starts.

What is the meaning of this?

What is the meaning of life?

I need a Blues expert to sort all of this out.....I'll come back and let ya'll know the answers when I find one.

bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

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There ya go.......create a goalie controversy when there isn't one.....just in time for the playoffs. So typical of Blue's "fans".

griffin

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last_stand said:Ell's is 2-4 his last 6 starts.

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Schwartz will make him better. Schwartz make everyone better...

Did I mention Backes is a great player and the worst possible "C" you could have for this team?

Going to the game Tuesday night. Predicting a 3-1 or 4-1 win for the boyz.

Any word on when Shattenkirk is coming back?

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sptsman said:

Did I mention Backes is a great player and the worst possible "C" you could have for this team?

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sptsman said:
They make absolutely idiotic passed through the center of the ice, in their own end and try one cute pass after another. Way too many of those passes end up in odd-man rushes and breakaways against them.

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griffin said:
There is no FORKING reason.....NONE....for Jake Allen to be starting in goal. This platooning of goaltenders NEVER works. I don't know when the Blues management will pull their collective heads out of their collective arses when it comes to goalies......but this organization is THE WORST at managing them.

Brian Elliot is the starting goaltender......PERIOD. Do you see Nashville or Montreal or any other top team playing their backup against us? NO!!! Because that's forking stupid!!!

GODDAMIT!!!!!!!!!!

griffin

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