The Blues get in an offseason with a considerable concern: the fate of captain Alex Pietrangelo, who is an unlimited complimentary representative on a team with simply over $2 million in wage cap area open for next season.
” Its not a fun circumstance to be in,” the veteran defenseman said. “Especially when youve been one location your entire career. I think my only idea is to get home, see my kids and see where the future takes us.”
If it is Pietrangelos last video game with the Blues, he was witness to an uncharacteristic effort, not just in their last loss to Vancouver however throughout their time in the Edmonton bubble. As Berube said, absolutely nothing came easy for them, and they made it too easy for their opponents.
” Im not taking anything away from Vancouver. Theyre a great young hockey group,” he said.
Last postseason, the Blues rolled to the franchises first championship with an overall synergy, getting buy-in from every player in their lineup. While the team was missing out on some hurt players this series– most notably star winger Vladimir Tarasenko, who left the NHL bubble to get his surgically fixed shoulder examined after 2 ineffective games against Vancouver– it was a lack of effort from the entire roster that left St. Louis bewildered after the series.
” It didnt seem that our energy was coming from everybody,” winger David Perron stated.
Blues coach Craig Berube concurred.
” There were a few games where the energy wasnt there. We required more from more people,” he said. Our group was effective last year since we had everybody on board, every night.”
The Blues were also effective last season due to the fact that of Jordan Binnington, the novice goaltender who backstopped them to the Cup with strong play and unwavering confidence. After an excellent 2019-20 season, he was average in the postseason, losing his very first four video games and after that losing the crease to backup Jake Allen after two straight losses to open the Vancouver series. Allen won Games 3 and 4 however lost Game 5.
Berube had a choice to make for Game 6. He opted for the goalie he won with last season. It didnt work.
Binnington was pulled 8 minutes, 6 seconds into the second period, having offered up four goals on 18 shots. Last season, Binnington went 16-10 with a. 914 conserve percentage, including a Game 7 win on the roadway in the Stanley Cup last for the champion. In this postseason, he was 0-5 with a. 851 save portion.
” Jake played 3 games in a row, certainly lost the third one,” Berube said. He had some practice, worked on his video game. Binners a lot like our entire group.
OReilly put the blame on the group in front of Binnington.
” Its disappointing, the way we played in front of him,” he said. We have to have jump in front of him. It wasnt good enough.
It was 3-0 on Troy Stechers goal at 6:49 of the second duration, as Vancouver did what it does best: cashing in on a four-pass sequence started by star Elias Pettersson, leaving the Blues mystified. A slashing penalty on Oskar Sundqvist led to a Brock Boeser power-play goal at 8:06 of the second period to make it 4-0 to chase Binnington.
In the third period, Jaden Schwartz and Tyler Motte traded objectives twice for the 6-2 final.
” They came into the series anticipating to win,” Vancouver coach Travis Green stated of his team. “They believed and played like they might win, [and were] positive. Its essential to the city. Theres a lot enjoyment every year. I hope theyre celebrating safely. Im happy for the individuals of Vancouver.”
” We didnt play like we typically did,” OReilly said after the Blues were removed after a 6-2 loss in Game 6 of the Western Conference quarterfinals in Edmonton, Alberta. After an excellent 2019-20 season, he was average in the postseason, losing his first four video games and then losing the crease to backup Jake Allen after 2 straight losses to open the Vancouver series.” Jake played three games in a row, certainly lost the 3rd one,” Berube said. It was 3-0 on Troy Stechers objective at 6:49 of the second period, as Vancouver did what it does best: cashing in on a four-pass series started by star Elias Pettersson, leaving the Blues baffled.” They came into the series expecting to win,” Vancouver coach Travis Green said of his group.
Ryan OReilly looked down at the table in front him, minutes after the Vancouver Canucks completed their six-game upset of his St. Louis Blues.
After last seasons final video game, he and his teammates circulated the Stanley Cup in triumph. However OReilly didnt recognize the group around him Friday night, as far as their effort and execution were worried.
” We didnt play like we typically did,” OReilly said after the Blues were removed after a 6-2 loss in Game 6 of the Western Conference quarterfinals in Edmonton, Alberta. “There were times when we were tough to bet, but we werent constant with it. At times we appeared like a junior team out there, turning the puck over and not playing properly.”
