BlueAero

22 hours ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

The 2nd line center i give the edge to O'Reilly over Krejci even though it's close.

1

O'Reilly is probably the best (or second best next to Bergeron) defensive forward in the league (a Selke finalist in fact).  Two different types of players from my view so tough to compare them head-to-head.

21 hours ago, OccamsRazor said:

But Bergeron is a huge boost over Schenn i think. No matter it will play out regardless of what we think.

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Likewise, you cannot compare Bergeron to a player like Schenn.  Bergeron is unquestionably the better player overall and by a wide margin.  However, Schenn plays a much different role on his team than Bergeron does.  When the Chief took over, he wanted Schenn to be more of a banger, a board-hugger and puck-digger who can play down low and crash the net much as Pat Maroon does.  Luckily for us, Schenn is versatile and big enough to play that role and he has done a great job complementing his higher-scoring linemates.  But to compare him to Bergeron just because they match up as far as line-depth position goes is really a non-sequitur.  They play vastly different roles. 

I do have a dark-horse x-factor for the Blues who seems to be emerging into his own at just the right time however and that is 22-year-old left-winger Sammy Blais.  This kid is really coming on as both a serious physical force and a guy with a monster shot.  Could be a difference maker.

I have to stick with Blues in six no matter what.  This fairy-tale season is not complete without us winning the Cup (at home) and sometimes intangibles you don't see on the stat sheet can become major factors.  I won't be shocked if Boston wins and solid arguments can be made when you break things down about how they are the better team.  I just feel like we've captured lightning in a bottle and this is our year.  At least, I damn sure hope so.       

On 5/22/2019 at 6:26 AM, ruxpin said:

....and most importantly sat Jake Allen, the fraud, down in favor of a rookie playing out of his mind.

 

Extremely important facet of their turnaround.  Team had no confidence in front of Jake.  Totally changed when Binnington stepped in.  Biggest factor in their run without question.

Man....a lot of testosterone around here.

We don't need offensive production from the 3rd D line (although Bortuzzo scored what was perhaps the most pivotal goal in the series against the Sharks).  I'm not terribly worried about the Blues' D ability to jump into the O-zone when they need to.  They've done it all year.   

I'm basically concerned about two things:  the Bruins PP which has been lethal and Tukka Rask.  I think these teams compare very favorably without splitting hairs and the series will likely be decided by special teams and goaltending.  How's that for a hot take?  LOL....

On 5/22/2019 at 9:19 AM, OccamsRazor said:

Chara is still roaming back there and he and Mcavoy have formed and great top D pair.

 

I like them over Edmondson and Pietrangelo. The Blues have the edge with their 2nd pair though.

 

 

 

For the record, Parayko-Bouwmeester has become our #1 lockdown tandem as the playoffs progressed and they've been pure money for us.  Taking nothing at all away from the Bruins D (which has been excellent) but the Blues have the edge in depth on the blueline in my book.  Assuming Dunn doesn't play (and I wouldn't bet that he will since he's got a broken jaw), the way things are set up now according to MoneyPuck, I'd still take our third pairing of Bortuzzo-Gunnarsson over Clifton-Moore.       

More than anything, I want to see the Cup hoisted in front of all of us long-suffering fans who blew off a little steam last night when we won the West but now want to watch this team bring it home.  So, bring it home, boys. Blues in six.

Rampage had a tough year being basically a startup franchise but they finished strong and things look bright for the future with all the talent St. Louis has coming up the ranks.  I'm hopeful Kyrou is ready to make the jump to the NHL next season....we could use his speed element.