I’m not going with the usual suspects of Backes, Berglund, Oshie, Pietrangelo, and Jackman. So here are the five and why, JMHO.

Stastny. He has been trending upwards this season and probably would have 20 goals if not for the injury. He was over a point-a-game for the Avs last year in the playoffs and has improved each year in the Avs were in playoffs. If he is on the SOS line, he is the perfect playmaker. If Hitch reverts to the 1C line with Bergy and Jaskin, that line may well determine how far the Blues go in the playoffs.

Schwartz. He’s young, he has great hockey sense, and he needs to take that one step up for the playoffs. He disappeared against the Hawks last year and with two playoffs under his belt, this is his year to put it together in the playoffs. Whether he is on the SOS line or the STL line, in either case, he has terrific line mates who can set each other up and score.

Jaskin. Yes, I know this is his first round-up, but that 1C line is critical to the playoffs success as the 1A and 1B lines will probably cancel out the two top lines of the opponents. If he plays with Backes and Bergy, they need to play puck possession and create enough havoc with the opposition to pot some goals. Jaskin was a point-a-game player for the Wolves last year in the playoffs, so he has done it a lower level.

Bouwmeester. A disappointing regular season can be made than made up for by an outstanding playoff run. He has been trending upwards recently and seems to have found the perfect partner in Michalek who can also zip the outlet pass.

Shattenkirk. We know that he has another offensive gear based on his play prior to injury. He needs to regain that form offensively and improve his defense. If he plays with Jax on the third pairing, that should open some opportunities for scoring playing against some of the opponents’ lesser lines.

I agree; and I truly hope we see the same lines they iced today at practice, with Bortz playing vs Gunner;

The SOS; STL; BBJ; & OGRe lines will wreck havoc IMO.

who is gonna take off? Who is gonna be that guy and play way over expectations?

I'm going with Jaskin. He's playing better and better lately.

Great OP--I agree with everything. I would also like to see Goc and Bergy step up big. Goc seemed to tail off but picked it back up against Chicago and Bergy was much better down the stretch.

I've said it before. I expect Schwartz to be a big factor in the playoffs. I originally made that comment based on my expectation that the opposing team would shadow and double up on Tarasenko. If they keep the Oshie, Stastny, Schwartz line together, that becomes less likely, but Steen would then be my pick to really shine.

1) Oshie. He's been invisible in most playoffs games. He'll have a chance to really shine with most of the opposing team's attention focused on whatever line Tarasenko is on. Also, he won't be in his old role as shut down and also score line like in last year's playoffs. Either way, he needs to produce.

2) Backes. I think playing a traditional third line center role will be a boon for him. Focus on playing a heavy game and stand in front of the net on the power play. Separating him from Oshie should be the best for both of them.

3) Schwartz. He's been a catalyst on any line he's played on this season but wasn't good in in the past two playoffs. You're best players have to be your best players in the playoffs.

4) Bouwmeester. I wasn't as excited as a lot of people when the Blues traded for him. He's a good player when healthy but I think he's soft and had a terrible season for one reason or another.

5) Goaltending. Whoever is in net, stop the puck. The Blues goalies have given up terrible goals at the wrong time or completely imploded over the course of a playoff series my entire life. They don't need to be Hasek every single game. I think the Blues can make a serious run this year if they're about as good as Turek was in 2001 (before he imploded vs the avalanche).

some great analysis in this thread. i agree that some players are playing for their future here and should be considered on notice. for me, i need to see some positive play from: oshie, backes, bouwmeester, berglund, goc.

39hurricane wrote:who is gonna take off? Who is gonna be that guy and play way over expectations?

I'm going with Jaskin. He's playing better and better lately.

I think Jaskin is going to go into beast mode. I expect him to make a huge impact (actually a whole bunch of them) across each series we play.

And Stastny and Lehtera seem to be peaking right on schedule.

Flip a coin, who ever is in goal just needs to be solid. If this team performs to the level of its talent, there will be no need for the goalie-in-net to need to steal a game.

But if one does, I expect it to be Allen.

39hurricane wrote:who is gonna take off? Who is gonna be that guy and play way over expectations?

I'm going with Jaskin. He's playing better and better lately.

Honestly, IMO that entire line could end up getting the top minutes if they continue to click, as they completely drive possession, and I could see them skating across Parise's line the whole series. They may not get to top points in the series, but I could easily see them shutting down their top line and contributing offensively.

Good post OP I agree with you. Here are my 5:

Goaltending: Stop the shots you are supposed to. That is it.

Oshie - It's time to show the world what we Blues fans already know.. you are more than a shootout specialist.

Goc - He was one of the best players on the ice the last week of the season. I'm surprised he didn't get more ice time. Perhaps that is when he is at his best. 10-12 min.

Jaskin - I don't think I need to regurgitate what many others have said. He is our wild card along with Berglund IMO. He has so much more to offer and show us.

Lehtera - I think his best is yet to come.

Jaskin - He's rolling right now playing alongside Backes. That is one huge line if Hitch keeps them together.

Oshie - Obvious reasons. He's a playoff no-show for the most part. I think that changes this year.

Bort - Most didn't think this was a huge trade, but you can't deny his impact on this team. They're better when he's in there. God help us if we have to rely on Gunnar over Bort.

Stastny - This is why we got him.

Jackman - Is there any doubt he's going to score a huge goal or two in these playoffs? I think he has like 4 career playoff goals and we can remember every one of them.

imo, the Blues are in trouble if they "need" 4th line players like Goc, rookies like Jaskin and Lehtera, or a third pairing d-man like Jackman to step up to help the team win.

I think all of those guys can have some big moments for the Blues but if we're relying on them to step up to help the team win, then our top six forwards and top defensemen aren't doing what they're supposed to do.

That's why it's so important for Steen, Backes, and Oshie to step up and play to their potential when it counts. I think they're all set up for success on their new lines if they play their games that got them this far.

Ladislav Bonita wrote:imo, the Blues are in trouble if they "need" 4th line players like Goc, rookies like Jaskin and Lehtera, or a third pairing d-man like Jackman to step up to help the team win.

I think all of those guys can have some big moments for the Blues but if we're relying on them to step up to help the team win, then our top six forwards and top defensemen aren't doing what they're supposed to do.

That's why it's so important for Steen, Backes, and Oshie to step up and play to their potential when it counts. I think they're all set up for success on their new lines if they play their games that got them this far.

While it's true the top players have to play their best for the Blues to do anything of significance, if they wanna win it all they have to get a few great performances out of some bottom six players. Every team that goes all the way got there from some huge moments out of a role player or two.

Perfect:

The Five Blues who can/need to step it up in the SCPS are,

THE POWER PLAY,

Do NOT GO 2 for 29 like last year....6.7%!!!


The year before we went like 0 for 12 against the Kings to start the series.

PLEASE.


Thank you.

the man has a point.

But, if I wear a hat...few people even notice...

T.C. wrote:the man has a point.

a powerful one a that

ratonmono wrote:

Ladislav Bonita wrote:imo, the Blues are in trouble if they "need" 4th line players like Goc, rookies like Jaskin and Lehtera, or a third pairing d-man like Jackman to step up to help the team win.

I think all of those guys can have some big moments for the Blues but if we're relying on them to step up to help the team win, then our top six forwards and top defensemen aren't doing what they're supposed to do.

That's why it's so important for Steen, Backes, and Oshie to step up and play to their potential when it counts. I think they're all set up for success on their new lines if they play their games that got them this far.

While it's true the top players have to play their best for the Blues to do anything of significance, if they wanna win it all they have to get a few great performances out of some bottom six players. Every team that goes all the way got there from some huge moments out of a role player or two.

That's my point. At some point, someone unexpected is going to have to score a big goal or have a big game or two on the way to the Cup. But if they Blues raise the Cup, their best players will be the ones "stepping up" over the course of the playoffs to get it done.

imo, besides inconsistent goaltending, this has been one of, if not the biggest issue for Blues teams. Steen, Backes, and Oshie are great all year then do nothing in the playoffs. Once upon a time, Tkachcuk/Demitra/Mellanby was considered one of the very best lines in hockey but completely disappeared in the playoffs.

A good example was the forgettable 2003-2004 season. Tkachcuck led the Blues with over 70 points in the regular season then comes through with a whopping two assists in five games in the playoffs. Demitra and Mellanby had one point apiece over the same time. Mike Sillinger of all people led the Blues in scoring in the playoffs.

Sillinger was a good bottom six forward but you have serious issues if he's your leading scorer and the one rising to the occasion when your top forwards aren't...and never have. Until guys like SOB finally step up they will always be the ones we should look to to finally step up and play to their potential.

Sorry for the tangent. I think we agree in principle. The coffee really kicked in once I started typing.

Who needs to step up? ALL of the forwards.

The last few years, the biggest problem has been lack of scoring. You can't expect your goalie to give you a shutout every fucking night.

Ladislav Bonita wrote:

ratonmono wrote:

Ladislav Bonita wrote:imo, the Blues are in trouble if they "need" 4th line players like Goc, rookies like Jaskin and Lehtera, or a third pairing d-man like Jackman to step up to help the team win.

I think all of those guys can have some big moments for the Blues but if we're relying on them to step up to help the team win, then our top six forwards and top defensemen aren't doing what they're supposed to do.

That's why it's so important for Steen, Backes, and Oshie to step up and play to their potential when it counts. I think they're all set up for success on their new lines if they play their games that got them this far.

While it's true the top players have to play their best for the Blues to do anything of significance, if they wanna win it all they have to get a few great performances out of some bottom six players. Every team that goes all the way got there from some huge moments out of a role player or two.

That's my point. At some point, someone unexpected is going to have to score a big goal or have a big game or two on the way to the Cup. But if they Blues raise the Cup, their best players will be the ones "stepping up" over the course of the playoffs to get it done.

imo, besides inconsistent goaltending, this has been one of, if not the biggest issue for Blues teams. Steen, Backes, and Oshie are great all year then do nothing in the playoffs. Once upon a time, Tkachcuk/Demitra/Mellanby was considered one of the very best lines in hockey but completely disappeared in the playoffs.

A good example was the forgettable 2003-2004 season. Tkachcuck led the Blues with over 70 points in the regular season then comes through with a whopping two assists in five games in the playoffs. Demitra and Mellanby had one point apiece over the same time. Mike Sillinger of all people led the Blues in scoring in the playoffs.

Sillinger was a good bottom six forward but you have serious issues if he's your leading scorer and the one rising to the occasion when your top forwards aren't...and never have. Until guys like SOB finally step up they will always be the ones we should look to to finally step up and play to their potential.

Sorry for the tangent. I think we agree in principle. The coffee really kicked in once I started typing.

Lol Agreed. Though that year we were just awful and had no shot going into the playoffs after firing Q, that team was at the end of its window, but you are right those guys weren't great playoff performers the three years before that either.

Special teams and goal tending. The Blues power play in last years playoffs was horrendous. The Blues problem in the past is that they couldn't score. This years team looks to have the fire power for scoring not to be a problem. The Blues need:
Tank to score consistantly
Pie & Shattenkirk play their best hockey
Allen to show he is the man
Statsny score some key goals
Some unexpected goal scorers to chip in

Contributions from unexpected sources make for great feature stories, but team excel in the playoffs because their best players play like their best players.

Tarasenko, Schwartz, Steen, Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk. Expand the list beyond five and I would include Bouwmeester, Oshie and Backes.

These guys need to play their best hockey for the next two months. Period.

Is it possible the whole team can win the Conn Smythe? I vote all of our players step up and they all play so well it's impossible to decide a winner for playoff MVP.