Golden Points: St. Louis Blues

Bruins 4 - Blues 2

While Detroit has been making all the headlines with their home win streak, St. Louis had quietly been compiling their own very impressive home record streak.  They hadn't lost in regulation at home since December 3rd.  That's pretty damn impressive.  They have one SO loss and one OT loss in that time frame.  Still impressive.  All impressive streaks must come to an end, I'm very happy with how the struggling B's played last night to end that streak.  This was one of the more entertaining games of the season and had a nice playoff feel to the game.  The refs swallowed their whistles for the most part and let the big boys play.

I don't agree with some other sites analysis that it wasn't a full 60 minute effort.  I think you have to give the Blues some credit.  They are a very good team (4th in the West), play extremely well at home, and took it to the B's at times in the game.  For the most part the B's held their ground defensively especially in the 2nd and 3rd period where they shut the Blues down.

The B's came out flying!  The speed in which they played was noticeably more uptempo then usual, which seemed to have been the point of emphasis during the past few practices.  Unlike the past few games, they got rewarded for their good efforts with two quick goals...which was quickly erased by two Blues goals...shit.

It was nice to see the top two lines be the focus of the offensive production.  Lucic is continuing to have a great stretch of games, playing solid north-south hockey.  He's streaky, but I'm hoping this streak doesn't end until the offseason.  He picked up a tip goal (near the front of the net which is where I like to see him) and then had a nice asset on Kelly's late first period goal.

Hands down the most impressive player last night was David Krejci.  Where the hell did he come from?  I was curious to see how he would respond to playing on the wing.  I don't know if I've ever seen him play an entire game with that much energy.  Whatever he ate for breakfast, I want it and I want it now!  Although he didn't show up in the box score summary, he was a crucial player last night.  He even laid a huge hit on one of the Blues defenseman down low.  Yes you read that correctly... Krejci INITIATED contact and WON.

The second line got back into rhythm too.  Marchand showed why I call him the Gnat on his first goal, never giving up and pestering the other team.  Great forechecking led to a steal and then he just ripped a shot past Elliot.  On his second goal he showed why he'll never be a career fourth liner like everyone thought when he broke into the league (including me...and you know my track record with predictions).  Collecting a long pass from Seguin, Marchy gave Paille a tutorial on how to score on the breakaway, faking the shot and tucking the puck five hole, sealing the game for the B's.

For one of the rare times this season I thought the fourth line was a HUGE liability this game (combined -5...yikes).  A lot of their shifts on the ice resulted in the Blues gaining momentum and two of their shifts led to the Blues goals...not good.  Thornton was fighting flu-like symptoms, so I'll give them this one. 

For the Blues, a team we only get to watch once a year, I was really impressed with defenseman Kris Russell and forward Chris Stewart.  Russell is that stereotypical "puck-moving defenseman" with GREAT skating ability.  More than once he collected the puck, moved into their offensive zone and created some opportunities.  Stewart also has impressive skating ability and stick skills.  Those guys are two names I hadn't heard of before that impressed me.  Obviously Arnott and Backes are some of the elite players in the league.  Man would I love to have Backes on the B's!!!  He just screams black and gold!  The guy is tougher than nails, never stops working and is one of the more skilled players in the league. 

And we have to end of a positive note.  The Dude!  He has to quickly becoming one of the tougher fighters in the league.  He'll fight anyone and when he does there isn't much defense.  He just throws hay makers like woah.  It was a very entertaining bout with Crombeen with McQuaid getting some shots in early and Crombeen getting shots in later.  As always the tie goes to the Dude.  Anyone who rocks a mullet gets extra points.

Next up: Buffalo Sabres Friday night.  I'm looking forward to that game as the hatred between the two teams seems to grow greater with every game they play.