Rumors…What rumors? Halak vs. Elliot
Perron was named the 3rd star of the week collecting 6 goals in 4 games as the Blues continue to roll in the month of February. The Blues will be making a stop into Columbus on tuesday with a 4 game win streak and with a record of 5-1 so far this month. McDonald made his come back on sunday tallying an assist in his return and the Blues continued their winning ways blanking the Sharks 3-0. The Blues are only 3 points behind the division leading Red Wings with 2 less games. The Blues this season are 34-14-7 and under Hitchcock they are 28-7-7. Jack Adams award for Hitchcock? The team was 6-7 before the Hitchcock era and with the same team (plus injuries), Hitchcock was able to take a struggling team to stanley cup contenders. There have been quite a few coaching changes over the years, but IMO no coach has been able to create such a dramatic change as he did.
What does the success mean for Hitchcock and the Blues now? The trade deadline is just 2 weeks away and many rumors in the past month has linked the Blues to obtaining a top 6 scoring forward as well as a top D-man. Steen, Arnott, and D’agostini remain on IR, but the teams chemistry continues to show in spite of those injuries. Hitchcock and Armstrong have already dismissed any rumors and stated that the team is just how they want it. Health is the main concern in the upcoming months, but there is still 2 weeks for the team to discuss and decide what they can do to become stronger. The defense has been strong, but when the defense looks shaky, Elliot and Halak are there to back them up. The offense has picked up the scoring and do not show any signs of slowing down.
Halak vs. Elliot. Some fun facts from Allan Walsh via twitter on Halak: Jaroslav Halak has allowed 12 goals in his last 10 starts for a 1.20 GAA and .948 SV%, AND 22% of Jaroslav Halak’s regular season career wins have been shutouts (22 shutouts in 99 wins). Hmm, do these stats indicate who should be the true starter from here on out? Simply, no… Even though both goalies have shown their upsides, they have also shown some downside as well. I do not expect the Blues to choose a goalie for the playoffs until it comes. Will the team stick to one goalie come playoffs? Honestly, why should they? Their system of swapping goalies on a game to game basis is working right now, so why should they stop? Using 2 goalies instead of just one will minimize the weaknesses each goalie has. This is all on the basis that each goalie continues their success and that no one goalie takes a dive. Can you imagine how frustrating it would be for a team to have to face 2 different goalies with different aspects to their game? One goalie will most likely start to pull ahead as a favorite, but this 2 goalie system could possibly work.
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