FERRARIO FIVE –ARE THE BLUES STARTING THE COMEBACK ENGINE?
Welp, I’ve officially hit the mark where I don’t think I understand this Blues team. One week we see a team on the ice and wonder if this is the end of that “Stanley Cup window”. The next week they put three game together that look like a team that has figured it out.
BINNINGTON HAS BEEN THE FOUNDATION FOR THIS TEAM
Let’s begin with the obvious for our Ferrario Five, the goaltending. Specifically, Jordan Binnington. Jeremy Rutherford had the conversation with Binnington in the Athletic discussing his frustrations regarding the team, he being sat for a game & his “antics”. I truly believe his comments were not from an angry space, I believe this was him trying to ignite a fire and lead his team back into the fight. Since his comments the Blues have picked up 5 of a possible 6 points while he stopped 77 of 83 shots in that span, including playing in a back-to-back. He’s making the timely saves to allow this team to figure out their weaknesses. He’s playing as good as any #1 goalie in the NHL.
IS THE PK IMPROVING
I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen as roller coaster of a PK as we’ve seen this season by Blues. They started the year off 100% on the PK and NOT ALLOWING A SHOT ON GOAL! But from 10/27-12-6, the PK sat dead last at 56.5%, 10% below the 2nd worst team in the NHL. Since then the Blues have designated PK duties to Mike Van Ryan and have switched the personnel by using more of Barbashev/Saad and less of Thomas. They seem to be playing tighter and more aggressive in the slot while also supporting pucks along the boards with quick and clean clears. If this area improves significantly for the remainder of the season, the Blues might look much different than where they currently project.
CAN DEFENSE BE A BRIGHTSPOT
Anytime I bring this up I receive the reaction equivalent to splitting your pants in grade school, but hear me out. They have found the ability to clear the crease with a bit more ease than what they had for the longest stretch of the season. There still are many areas that need to be tightened up, including the amount of turnovers that this team induces during play. But why I think they can begin to improve is when they return to the “5-man unit” mentality. This is what Craig Berube has been preaching and Noel Acciari stated it before the Edmonton game, “When we support each other we’re a tough team to play against”. It’s just a matter of doing it for a full 60 minutes.
FACEOFFS HAVE BEEN KING
This is an area, I think, we take for granted on this team. Through 30 games the Blues sit in the middle of the league with a 50% win margin but its individual numbers that stand impressive. You’ve got three guys with a 55% or better faceoff (O’Reilly, Thomas, Acciari). This is an aspect that is necessary for Blues to pile up victories. Winning face-offs in the o-zone on the PP, d-zone on PK and situations at even-strength create puck possession and that’s the name of the game for St. Louis. They’ve got massive speed on their team but it comes down to not chasing the game and forcing the opponent to chase you.
VETERANS LEAD THE WAY
Chris Kerber made a comment after the Blues OT loss vs COL, “this team will go as far as their leaders will carry them”. In their last 5 games, their “leaders” scored 22 points and helped earn 7 of a possible 10 points. Their captain has 1G-2A in that span, their defense has posted 1G-7A and they’ve had the depth to back up the play. There has to be a moment in this season where the veterans like Tarasenko, Schenn, Barbashev, etc take this team to the next level. Kyrou and Thomas are clearly the players that will lead the Blues into this new transition, whatever it might be. But this season is a perfect chance for them to see how leadership is done by the guys who have been there, done that.
