Internet Hotstove is a series where Last Word On Sports asks the opinions of respected bloggers from around the internet about their team’s chances in the 2013-14 NHL Playoffs. The goal is to get a broad view of opinion from around the league as an alternative to other playoff previews.
For many, the St. Louis Blues are the team with the best chance to win the Stanley Cup this year. They present a deep roster, with skill and talent that is frightening. Adding Ryan Miller at the deadline only improved a team who, on paper, seem almost unbeatable. But the Blues will have to earn their way to the Cup, as they play the defending champions Chicago Blackhawks in a first round that certainly will not be easy. However, if they can get by Chicago they can get by anybody. Everyone will be gunning for them, but it may not be enough to stop them from winning their first ever cup.
Meet the Blogger:
David Rogers- Founder of FrozenNotes.Com @FrozenNotes
1. Who is the Blues playoff X-factor?
Jaden Schwartz. He’s been arguably the most consistent and most underrated forward the Blues have had all season long. He ended the year third on the team in scoring with 25 goals and he’ll be looked to round out the team’s offensive attack in the postseason. While other St. Louis forwards are grinders and score on second or third chances, Schwartz has the skill to create chances where none seemingly exist. If the Blues hope to advance in the playoffs they’ll need their X-factor, Schwartz, to have a big performance.
2. This is a team who many consider to be Stanley Cup favourites, will that pressure affect their play at all?
Yes and No. That may seem like I’m avoiding the question, but simply it means that there are other more pressing concerns. The Blues have succumbed to pressure in the past and crumble when they’re thrown off their game, but injuries and players being less than 100% is a much larger concern. Given their injuries, the Blues enter the postseason with much lower expectations from their own fans than many might expect.
I’d add that the Blues have also played their worst hockey when there hasn’t been any pressure. They had a huge lead in the Central and let it slip away as they let their foot off the gas. This troubling trait is much more worrisome than any pressure placed on the team as being Cup favorites.
3. The Blues have been eliminated by the Kings the past two seasons, what qualities do they have this year that can help them win those kind of crucial games?
Depth. Now, this may be really pulled apart if certain players aren’t able to suit up (the team was without 7 of their forwards due to injuries as the season concluded), but the Blues finally have a bit more depth to throw out during big games. The growth and development of Vladimir Tarasenko and the previously mentioned Schwartz are also big factor. These two have helped turn a sluggish offense into one which is capable of scoring more consistently. We’ll have to wait and see who is all healthy, but the depth brought in should be a boost.
4. How important was the Ryan Miller trade to this team’s cup chances?
his opinion wasn’t the norm when the trade was announced, but I believed it wouldn’t be a huge factor. That opinion has only grown strong after watching Miller’s time with the Blues to close out the season. I believe Halak could have led the Blues to a Cup, but injuries prevented him from ever having a shot in the playoffs. He was definitely shaky at times during his almost four years with the team, but his 2013-14 was a strong one. Miller may be an upgrade, but only slightly. To date, he has yet to show me anything indicating he’ll be able to lead the Blues to a Cup any better than Halak or Brian Elliott.
5. How far do you see the St. Louis Blues going in the playoffs?
I’ll make two predictions. Considering the current uncertainty over the health of almost half the roster, I think it’s only fair.
Healthy Blues make it to the Western Finals and fall to their opponent, narrowly missing out on a chance to play for the Cup. Unhealthy Blues are booted in convincing and embarrassing fashion in the first round.
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