5 Things St. Louis Blues Must Do To Succeed In Second Half Of 2015-16 NHL Season

5. A Return To Form By Vladimir Tarasenko

It's hard to ask more of a kid who has 25 goals halfway through the year in only his third full season. However, Tarasenko cooled off considerably in January, only scoring three goals. He needs to get a more cutthroat mentality as he has looked to pass when he should shoot instead. The Blues need Tarasenko to keep up a high rate of production if they are to be successful in the second half.

5. A Return To Form By Vladimir Tarasenko

It's hard to ask more of a kid who has 25 goals halfway through the year in only his third full season. However, Tarasenko cooled off considerably in January, only scoring three goals. He needs to get a more cutthroat mentality as he has looked to pass when he should shoot instead. The Blues need Tarasenko to keep up a high rate of production if they are to be successful in the second half.

4. Better Defending

St. Louis can limit an opponent's shots to the teens one game and then give up 40 or more the next. They have relied on their goaltenders way too much and that falls on the entire team, but the defenders in particular. While the Blues have defenders who are more offensive than your classic defenders, they have to do a better job overall. Even in games they limit shots, they still allow too many quality chances. Health will help, but the D-line must become more of a force.

4. Better Defending

St. Louis can limit an opponent's shots to the teens one game and then give up 40 or more the next. They have relied on their goaltenders way too much and that falls on the entire team, but the defenders in particular. While the Blues have defenders who are more offensive than your classic defenders, they have to do a better job overall. Even in games they limit shots, they still allow too many quality chances. Health will help, but the D-line must become more of a force.

3. Power Forwards Must Step Up

This really applies to everyone since the Blues are way behind the pace of scoring they had last year. However, much of the load has to be picked up by players like David Backes, Troy Brouwer, Dmitrij Jaskin and Patrik Berglund. Jaskin, in particular, has been a bit of a bust this season. The Blues need more net-front presence and deflected goals and those are the men to do it. No single player needs to take this on by themselves, but each one needs to do more.

3. Power Forwards Must Step Up

This really applies to everyone since the Blues are way behind the pace of scoring they had last year. However, much of the load has to be picked up by players like David Backes, Troy Brouwer, Dmitrij Jaskin and Patrik Berglund. Jaskin, in particular, has been a bit of a bust this season. The Blues need more net-front presence and deflected goals and those are the men to do it. No single player needs to take this on by themselves, but each one needs to do more.

2. Goaltending To Step Back Up

This sounds harsh for a tandem that has some of the best stats in the league. However, both Jake Allen and Brian Elliott began to show some cracks and let in a few soft goals, especially in late-December and January. Regardless of who is in net, they must return to the top-notch goaltending the team saw in the early months of the year. The goaltending must be hot going into the postseason.

2. Goaltending To Step Back Up

This sounds harsh for a tandem that has some of the best stats in the league. However, both Jake Allen and Brian Elliott began to show some cracks and let in a few soft goals, especially in late-December and January. Regardless of who is in net, they must return to the top-notch goaltending the team saw in the early months of the year. The goaltending must be hot going into the postseason.

1. Health

The Blues have been hit hard by the injury bug. Only five players have played every game in the 2015-16 season. Getting players like Jake Allen and Jaden Schwartz back will be a huge boost for the second half. Schwartz returning, in particular, will be almost as effective as making a trade. Even Steve Ott's possible return would provide a big emotional boost. Regardless of who comes back or when, keeping players healthy is an absolute must for the Blues to be successful in the second half of 2015-16.

1. Health

The Blues have been hit hard by the injury bug. Only five players have played every game in the 2015-16 season. Getting players like Jake Allen and Jaden Schwartz back will be a huge boost for the second half. Schwartz returning, in particular, will be almost as effective as making a trade. Even Steve Ott's possible return would provide a big emotional boost. Regardless of who comes back or when, keeping players healthy is an absolute must for the Blues to be successful in the second half of 2015-16.