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St. Louis Blues News

Blues not convinced they need to make trades
February 9
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Stuck in a wait-and-see mode regarding the return of several players from injuries and awaiting increased production from a few of the club's core forwards, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong vows he will be patient and perhaps make no moves leading up to the NHL trading deadline Feb. 27. Part of that philosophy is predicated on the Blues' restrictive budget as the franchise navigates through a tumultuous ownership change. Another part of it is Armstrong's belief that replacing players who are having off years offensively might not necessarily lead to a finer finish. The Blues are living healthy in fourth place in the Western Conference going into tonight's game in New Jersey, and"
Langenbrunner returns to face Devils
February 9
New York Post
 
"The last Devils' captain returns to play in Newark tonight for the first time since he was traded away last season. Jamie Langenbrunner has been a vital veteran in the rise of the Blues under Ken Hitchcock this season. When last seen in Newark 13 months ago, he was on his way out under the cloud of strained relations with re-hired Jacques Lemaire. He's entitled to a grateful welcome from the fans who saw him lead the 2003 playoffs in goal-scoring en route to the Devils' last Stanley Cup, and hurry back only nine days after arthroscopic right knee surgery to rejoin the lineup in the 2009 playoffs."
Futility continues for punchless Senators
February 8
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The Ottawa Senators fell deeper into uncharted territory on Tuesday night with their seventh consecutive loss, 3-1 to the St. Louis Blues. Since this skid started, the Senators have got just one point from a 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Islanders and are clinging to the No. 8 playoff spot in the National Hockey League's Eastern Conference, two points ahead of the Florida Panthers. Daniel Alfredsson got the only goal for the Senators (27-22-7), during a power play early in the second period. David Perron scored twice for the Blues (31-14-7), with Chris Porter getting one. Craig Anderson, making his 18th consecutive start for Ottawa, was pulled after allowing two goals on four shots in"
Doing the goalie shuffle
February 8
Ottawa Citizen
 
"To coincide with Tuesday's birthday of Charles Dickens, this is A Tale of Two Cities, or at least, two goaltending situations. At one end, there was Ottawa Senators workhorse Craig Anderson, who has played in more games (51) and faced more shots (1,500-plus) than any other goalie in the NHL this season. At the other end was Brian Elliott, the former Senator swapped for Anderson last February, now part of a St. Louis Blues tandem that shares the crease almost equally. Elliott has appeared in 24 games, Jaroslav Halak in 29. Mr. Solo versus the tag-team wrestlers, except that Anderson's hockey marathon came to an abrupt halt early in the first period, when the Blues put a couple of pucks past"
D'Agostini leaves after taking blow to his head
February 8
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Blues forward Matt D'Agostini left Tuesday's game after receiving a blow to the head, and while he hasn't been diagnosed with a concussion, the team is preparing to call up a forward from Peoria. D'Agostini took a couple of hits in the first period from Ottawa's Jared Cowan, one behind the Senator's goal that appeared to catch D'Agostini high. He left the game and doctors didn't clear him to return. Already without Jason Arnott, who traveled to Toronto on Tuesday for therapy on his shoulder, the Blues are left with 11 healthy forwards as they headed to play in New Jersey on Thursday. The club is expected to call up either Evgeny Grachev or Adam Cracknell in time for that game."
Blues regain scoring touch
February 8
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The night before the Blues faced the Senators, David Perron visited a local hockey goods store in Ottawa. After spotting a shooting alley inside, he grabbed a stick and, remaining unidentifiable to the sales clerk, ripped shots for a half-hour. "He said, 'You've got a helluva shot,'" Perron said. "I just started laughing and said, 'Thanks.' He probably thought I was some junior (hockey player) that played a while back and stopped playing. It was pretty funny. I never told him who I was." One of several of the Blues' struggling offensive players, Perron made his presence known Tuesday, scoring twice in the team's 3-1 victory over the Senators at Scotiabank Place. "I guess I'll have to find"
Blues hunt for scoring help
February 7
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"As Ken Hitchcock likes to say, the Blues are teetering on the edge. They have scored two goals or fewer in regulation time in eight of their last nine games and have defied the odds by going 4-2-2 in those outings. The Blues' record is 22-0 this season when they score three goals or more. So based on season history, another goal per game would take some stress away. Finding that goal, however, hasn't been easy. The radio airwaves and the Internet message boards are lit up with pleas to acquire a player who can light the lamp. But how many of those are available before the Feb. 27 trading deadline is unknown, as is the Blues' financial flexibility during the ongoing sale process."
Blues having tough time against division rivals
February 6
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"If the results of the Central Division race have as large an imprint on the playoff seeds as many are suggesting, the Blues must reverse a recent trend against the division. After Saturday's 3-1 loss at Nashville, the Blues are 1-4-2 in their last six games against the Central, with their only victory a 6-4 win over last-place Columbus. They are 5-6-2 overall in the division, one of two losing records along with the Blue Jackets. And while scoring goals and playing on the road are concerns of the Blues regardless of their opponent, those two problems have been accentuated within the division. The Blues have netted a total of six goals on 203 shots in their last six losses in the Central,"
With Halak and Elliott, Blues are always confident they will win
February 5
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"If you have been following along, you know that protecting their goal has definitely been a Tale of Two Goalies for the Blues this season. Jaroslav Halak was in a rut when the season started, which is when alternate Brian Elliott emerged from obscurity. Elliott went from nearly starting the season in Peoria to making the NHL All-Star team. He finished the first half with 15 wins and five shutouts and is among the league leaders in goals-against average (1.69) and save percentage (.938). No doubt about it, for a while it seemed as if Elliott supplanted Halak as the team's most reliable netminder. He has had stretches of five consecutive starts and seven starts in 10 games. But along with a"
Blues have a relapse against Predators
February 5
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"As they chase playoff certification and flirt with credibility as a top NHL team, the Blues have vowed to earn their keep on the road in the concluding weeks of the 2011-12 season. That resolution notwithstanding, they experienced a relapse on Saturday, losing their first road test of the second half 3-1 to the Predators at Bridgestone Arena. "Smashville" is an inviting place for St. Louis fans, and a large contingent was on hand to encourage the Note and indulge in the postgame nightlife. But Music City is a far less hospitable for the Blues. Since Dec. 28, the Predators have been the best team in the NHL with a 14-3-0 record. From a historical standpoint, the Preds are 22-11-7 all-time"
Blues' sale on track despite missed deadline
February 4
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The group attempting to buy the Blues missed a deadline Friday, a date scheduled to provide a commitment letter from its bank, but a league source said the development would not hinder the sale process. Tom Stillman's group, which signed a purchase agreement in January, remains on track to complete the sale, according to the source. That corroborates what NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said at the All-Star festivities last weekend in Ottawa when asked about the progress of the sale. "Based on the pulse that we're taking of the transaction and the things that need to be done, we're optimistic that (the sale will be completed) hopefully in the not-too-distant future," Bettman said. "In order"
No fuss, no rust for Blues
February 4
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Blues admitted in recent days that after a nine-day layoff, they might be rusty in the opening period of Friday's game against Los Angeles. The word to describe their play began with an "r," but restless was a more accurate description. The club rang up 12 shots and 15 hits in the first period and showed no signs of taking the longest break of any team in the NHL. "We started out pretty good actually, but I don't know how that was because I felt terrible," the Blues' Matt D'Agostini said. "I couldn't skate." Evidently D'Agostini found his legs, which he used to create the only scoring play of the game. D'Agostini set up Jamie Langenbrunner for his fourth goal of the season, and"
Blues expect a wild ride rest of the way
February 3
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Following the final horn at the NHL All-Star Game on Sunday, 29 teams have returned to the ice. Twenty-three teams will have played twice before the Blues play once. After a nine-day layoff, the longest in the league, the club will be back in action tonight against Los Angeles. "They have let us back in the league," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock joked Thursday. "We're able to play." Now it's time to fasten your seat belt. The Blues' race for a Western Conference playoff seed will include 33 games in the final 65 days of the regular season. They will have back-to-back days off only twice this month, and their longest break over the next 2½ months will be three days. "It goes fast," Hitchcock"
Shanahan believes NHL is adapting to stricter rules
February 2
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Brendan Shananan knew it wouldn't be easy when he took the position as the NHL's dean of discipline this season. It's actually called the 'Department of Player Safety,' but despite a stated priority of taking illegal hits out of the game, the fans, media and even teams themselves tend to focus on the consistency of the discipline. Prior to the All-Star break, Shanahan issued 34 suspensions for a total of 113 games, two including Blues' players. Forward Chris Stewart and defenseman Ian Cole were each suspended three games for hits that were deemed excessive by Shanahan, aka Sheriff Shanny, and his crew. "I don't feel we're in the business of punishing ... I'm hoping that we're in the"
Captain Backes leads the way for Blues
February 2
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"David Backes has experienced a lot during his time in St. Louis. He has never experienced a more successful stretch of hockey. The Blues have to win 13 of their final 33 games to become the winningest team Backes has played with since he donned the Note in 2006-07. Isn't it funny how that works? Last summer there was angst over who should replace Eric Brewer as the Blues' captain. Many favored emerging young quarterback Alex Pietrangelo for the role. Others thought two-way standout Alex Steen might wear the "C" well. Some pointed to Barret Jackman, while still others wondered if incoming veterans Jamie Langenbrunner or Jason Arnott might be the best choice. All are deserving of"
Bishop named MVP of AHL all-star game
February 1
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Blues goaltending prospect and St. Louis native Ben Bishop continued building a better future for himself over the weekend. Representing the Peoria Rivermen, the Blues' top minor-league affiliate, Bishop was selected as the MVP of the American Hockey League All-Star game Sunday and named the top goaltender of the weekend event, which included a skills competition. The honors came after Bishop stopped 10 of 11 shots during regulation of the all-star game, helping the Western Conference to an 8-7 shootout victory. He also turned aside all four shots he faced in the shootout."
Blues try to fix power play ... again
February 1
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"During the All-Star break, Ken Hitchcock contacted seven friends in the coaching profession, sent them tapes of the Blues in action and asked them to make assessments on how they could improve. That said, one of the flaws doesn't require a trained eye. After all, new Cardinals manager Mike Matheny doesn't need John McGraw to explain that his club will have to find ways to replace Albert Pujols in the middle of the lineup. Jeff Fisher doesn't need Knute Rockne to suggest his Rams will need to score more points. The obvious needs no witness. If the Blues are going to continue down a path to the postseason and beyond, they must improve on the power play. There's no ifs, ands or wasted"
NHL's second half: Now it really gets serious Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/nhl-s-second-half-now-it-really-gets-serious/article_fbe938ef-2701-566a-be87-db61f9785a08.html#ixzz1l35p4Xrc
January 31
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Today the Stanley Cup playoff race resumes, with the elite NHL teams continuing their bids for the top playoff seeds on each side of the league. The competition is especially fierce in the Central Division; the Red Wings hold first place, but the Blues lurk just two points back and the Predators and Blackhawks are only three points behind. "We know that no matter what we do, they're going to keep winning," Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall told Detroit reporters. "We just have to find a way to get two points each night. It's just as simple as that." Division winners will get the top three seeds in each conference, stacked by overall point total. The next five slots in each conference"
Blues' McDonald on comeback trail
January 31
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"After five days away from the ice for the NHL All-Star break, the Blues came back to work Monday. But something was missing, something red. More specifically, mercurial center Andy McDonald was wearing yellow, a conforming color with several of his teammates. His red "no contact" jersey was gone and while the change of hue doesn't mean you can pencil McDonald into the lineup when the Blues play host to Los Angeles on Friday in their next game, it means he is closer to returning. "No timetable," McDonald said. "This is just kind of the next step to be able to get out there and take some contact in practice and see where I fit from that regard and see how the body reacts from getting bumped"
Blues' Andy McDonald sheds red "no-contact" jersey
January 31
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"As the Blues returned from the All-Star break, the No. 1 question on the minds of most fans was the status of Andy McDonald and Alex Steen, who are both recovering from concussions. McDonald and Steen were on the ice, and in fact McDonald shed his red "no-contact" jersey, but neither player sounded to be on the verge of rejoining the lineup. McDonald seemed optimistic about his improvement, but for anyone thinking he might play Friday against L.A., that was not the message. He skated on the Blues' fifth line, along with Steen and Chris Porter."
McDonald sheds red "no-contact" jersey
January 30
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"As the Blues returned from the All-Star break, the No. 1 question on the minds of most fans was the status of Andy McDonald and Alex Steen, who are both recovering from concussions. McDonald and Steen were on the ice, and in fact McDonald shed his red "no-contact" jersey, but neither player sounded to be on the verge of rejoining the lineup. McDonald seemed optimistic about his improvement, but for anyone thinking he might play Friday against L.A., that was not the message. He skated on the Blues' fifth line, along with Steen and Chris Porter. "No timetable," McDonald said. "This is just kind of the next step to be able to get out there and take some contact in practice and see where I fit"
Back to the real NHL games
January 30
Ottawa Sun
 columnist Chris Stevenson
"The days at the beach, as tweeted by Capitals defenceman Mike Green from the Cayman Islands, are over. The neon tans from Las Vegas will now start to fade. The NHL's feel-good weekend here — a resounding success which revolved around the emotional outpouring between Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson and Senators fans — now becomes a fond memory. Ahead is a 30-game sausage grinder that is the rest of the NHL season. "You need the break whether you're here or somewhere else doing something different. This is a part of the season the guys really look forward to, just to recharge the battery," said Maple Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul. "When you get back from this break, you're re-energized and you"
Chara's stars beat hometown hero Alfredsson
January 30
Ottawa Sun
 
"On his big day, Daniel Alfredsson surrounded himself with Swedes. But it was a bunch of Slovak buddies, led by New York Rangers winger Marian Gaborik, who drove Team Chara to a 12-9 victory over Team Alfredsson in front of 20,510 in the 57th NHL all-star game Sunday at Scotiabank Place. While former Senators defenceman Zdeno Chara scored the third-period winner, it was Gaborik, voted the game MVP, who led his club to victory with a hat trick and four-point effort as Team Chara walked away with the bragging rights. "You could see the guys wanted to win," said Chara when asked if he gave his team any instructions with the score tied 6-6 going into the third period. "I didn't have to say a"
Blues' sale to Stillman group 'on track'
January 29
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says he's optimistic that a group led by Blues minority owner Tom Stillman can soon finalize a deal to buy the club. Bettman's comments came after the NHL's Board of Governors was updated on the Blues' sale at a meeting Saturday morning at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, site of the All-Star festivities. "We've been in regular touch with Tom (Stillman) and his people," Bettman said. "I spoke to Tom last (week) and he believes that things are on track, and based on the pulse that we're taking of the transaction and the things that need to be done, we're optimistic that (the sale will be completed) hopefully in the not-too-distant future. "In order to"
Blues getting praise at All-Star Game
January 29
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Chicago's Marian Hossa referred to the Blues as a "five-guy unit." Anaheim's Corey Perry said they're "playing together as one." Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk pointed out the team's "good structure." The top names at this weekend's NHL All-Star Game each used different words when explaining why the Blues are perhaps the surprise team at the break with 65 points, the third-highest total in the league. But the players were all making the point that the Blues' success is a joint effort, which may explain why they have only representative — goaltender Brian Elliott — at the all-star game. Former coach Davis Payne stressed the importance of the Blues playing as five-man unit, but that philosophy has"
Blues' rebuilding plan is paying off
January 29
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Bernie Miklasz
"As the Blues and their fans take a break on this NHL All-Star weekend, it's a good time to pause and reflect on how far the franchise has come. Remember the depressing season that followed the NHL lockout? It was 2005-2006, and the Blues fell through the ice, finishing at the cold bottom of the NHL with 57 points. Attendance plummeted. The new regime of chairman Dave Checketts and team President John Davidson must have wondered what they'd gotten into but never complained. Management set a plan and stayed the course. Checketts and Davidson didn't mislead anyone. They were straight with the customers: the franchise was in disrepair and required a massive rebuild. They would draft and"
Elliott soaks in All-Star berth
January 28
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Blues goaltender Brian Elliott solicited pointers from teammates David Backes and Jason Arnott on what to expect on NHL All-Star weekend, but even that didn't prepare him for when he landed in Ottawa. "Even having that, I got off the plane and got mobbed by autographs and pictures and cameras ... it's a little overwhelming," Elliott said Friday. "This is pretty cool, the top players in the league and the world are sitting around you." Elliott returned to Ottawa, where he played three full seasons, with the No. 1 goals-against average (1.69) and top save percentage (.938) in the NHL. But even with that on his résumé, Elliott figured he might be the last goalie selected at Thursday's fantasy"
Comeback Kid: Blues' goalie Brian Elliott
January 27
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Big egos have small ears. No one will ever accuse Brian Elliott of having small ears. "One of the things that you learn about 'Ells' is he's a really good listener," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "He's resurrected a career based on being able to look in the mirror and make adjustments." The alterations aren't about character or drive. Elliott has spent his hockey-playing life as an afterthought, the odd man out. It was that way in college, where he came out of a backup shadow to lead the University of Wisconsin-Madison to a national championship. It was like that in the NHL draft, when he was taken 291st by Ottawa, the second to last player chosen in 2003. He couldn't even finish first"
Who will win? Breaking down All-Star teams
January 27
NHL.com
 
"The draft is over, the rosters set for the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game. We now know who will be wearing the white jerseys for Team Alfredsson and the blue jerseys to represent Team Chara. Now it's time to take a look at the rosters and break them down by position. Look for our prediction at the end. FORWARDS Datsyuk and Malkin on the same team is a scary proposition for the opposition. They may be the two most skilled players in the NHL right now. As Chara said, you can put them on the same line and they can be unstoppable, or you can put them on separate lines and they'll still be dominant and "make the line." Team Alfredsson has a lot of talent, but it doesn't have two"
McDonald criticizes Ovechkin for All-Star absence
January 26
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Blues veteran Andy McDonald tweeted critical comments about Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin on Wednesday regarding Ovechkin's decision not to attend the NHL All-Star game this weekend in Ottawa. McDonald, who is @10_AMac on Twitter, tweeted "classless move by @Ovi8 'opting' out of NHL All-Star game." The NHL named Ovechkin to the All-Star roster earlier this month. Then on Monday, the Capitals forward was suspended by the league for three regular-season games after an illegal hit on Pittsburgh's Zybnek Michalek. Ovechkin later announced he would not attend the All-Star game, telling Washington reporters, "My heart is not there. I (got) suspended, so why I have to go there? I love"
Blues bank points before the break
January 26
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Blues began the month of January intent on "banking." Our economy should be so diligent. After losing to Pittsburgh in a shootout Tuesday, the Blues start an extensive All-Star break with nine days off before they play host to Los Angeles on Feb. 3. Like the hard-working ant in Aesop's fables, the Blues have stored away points for the cold part of the season ahead. The stockpile features 16 of 18 possible points in nine home games (7-0-2) during January, and 18 of a possible 22 points overall (8-1-2). The segment didn't end lucratively, as the Blues deposited only one of four possible points in back-to-back games with Detroit and Pittsburgh. Still, all in all, even the fabled"
Bernie Bytes: Blues need scoring
January 25
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"1. The Blues are a really good team, but can they take down the proven elite? I guess we'll know in the playoffs, when the true answers come in. But the three consecutive losses in Detroit were alarming for the way they went down. It's almost as if the Red Wings could do whatever the hell they wanted to do after flipping a switch, and the Blues had no answer once the Red Wings decided to assert themselves. (Message: Not so fast, little brother.) And that was the case in Monday's 3-1 loss in Motown. After taking a 2-0 lead at Joe Louis Arena on Dec. 27, the Blues were outscored 9-1 by the Red Wings in the three losses. Feel free to try and put some shine on that to make it look good, but it"
Homecoming for Penguins' Vitale
January 25
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Over the years, a countless number of kids have taken to the ice between periods at Blues games, entertaining a Scottrade Center crowd, fantasizing about taking the same ice as an NHL player some day. One of those kids realized that dream Tuesday night. Pittsburgh forward Joe Vitale made his first NHL appearance on Scottrade ice Tuesday, as the Blues played host to the Penguins. For the Sunset Hills native and CBC grad, it was almost surreal. "I have some good memories here as a kid, playing between periods of Blues games and then in high school playoffs and championships, so to come back and play the Blues is pretty crazy," Vitale said. "It'll probably sink in sometime later this week"
Blues come up short in shootout
January 25
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Beginning today, the Blues will have nine days off for the NHL All-Star break, time to ponder what has been accomplished in 49 games, time to prep for 33 more. In the big picture, they have come far, shaking off an indifferent start and responding to a coaching change to compile a 29-13-7 record. The immediate picture appears less inspiring. Coming off a 3-1 loss at Detroit 24 hours earlier, the Blues lost 3-2 in an overtime-shootout to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday at Scottrade Center. But the outcome calls for perspective. Not only were the Blues playing for the second night in succession, they were playing for the fourth time in six nights. And you think Demi Moore is exhausted."
Kunitz shootout goal lifts Penguins to victory over Blues
January 25
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"James Neal isn't interested in All-Star Games. He's interested in scoring goals and winning games. Just ask him. Neal, who still hasn't been named to the NHL All-Star Game, scored his 27th goal of the season, and Chris Kunitz scored the game-winner in a shootout to ignite the Penguins' 3-2 victory in St. Louis on Tuesday. Philadelphia's Scott Hartnell was named to the NHL All-Star Game on yesterday morning. "I don't care," Neal said. "That's old news. I'm not worried about the All-Star Game. We've got a good little roll going right now. We're just worried about winning games right now.""
Kunitz, Malkin lead Penguins to shootout victory against the Blues
January 25
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"There would be no rollover game to launch them into the All-Star break. The Penguins knew that. Their 3-2 shootout win Tuesday night against the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center was as tough a game as they have played, primarily because the Blues have evolved into one of the NHL's best teams in the span of a less than three months. "They're a physical team and they just keep coming," said winger Chris Kunitz, who celebrated his 500th NHL game by scoring the deciding goal in the shootout."
Road transition is tough on Blues
January 24
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"After stretching their record to 13-0-2 in their last 15 games at Scottrade Center last week, the Blues were curious about how that would translate on the road. Detroit's Joe Louis Arena might be the best rink in the NHL to look for that answer, but once again, the venue was not kind to the Blues in a 3-1 loss Monday. The Red Wings won their franchise-best 17th consecutive home game, pulling to within three of the league record held by Boston and Philadelphia. Three of the Blues' last four road games have been at "The Joe," and they are 0-3 in those trips, falling to 8-10-3 away from Scottrade Center this season."
Another trip to Detroit, another loss for Blues
January 24
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"With a chance to leap over Detroit for the top spot in the NHL standings, the Blues once again failed to respond to a Red Wings charge and fell 3-1 at Joe Louis Arena on Monday night. The Blues have knocked off many of the league's top teams this season and deserve their view from above. But after winning the first two games of the season series against Detroit, the club has melted at times in three straight road losses to the Wings. On Monday, Detroit scored two second-period goals to take a 2-1 lead, and after allowing the Blues to hang around, the Red Wings added a third unanswered goal with three minutes remaining to skate off with the team's 17th consecutive victory at home. The Blues"
Brad Stuart's hit proves critical in Red Wings win over Blues
January 24
Detroit Free Press
 
"Red Wings defenseman Brad Stuart laughed last, as did forward Darren Helm. Each earned a power play Monday night, which yielded two goals that propelled the Wings past the St. Louis Blues, 3-1, at Joe Louis Arena. Stuart got accolades around his locker room after the team's 17th straight victory at the Joe for a huge hit on defenseman Alex Pietrangelo in the last minute of the first period. Shortly after Stuart sent Pietrangelo into the boards, Chris Stewart jumped Stuart, landing several punches before Stuart was able to defend himself."
Red Wings show tough side in victory over Blues
January 24
Detroit News
 
"A ripening rivalry between the Red Wings and Blues provided for a physical game Monday, with plenty of hitting, some ill will and even a bit of fighting. With first place in the Western Conference at stake and with eyes, perhaps, glancing well ahead to the playoffs, both teams sought to establish themselves. "It was a physical game for us," Mike Babcock said. "It was fun for our guys. It was fun coaching.""
Wings' defensemen bringing it on offense
January 24
Detroit News
 
"Goals keep coming for the Red Wings — from their defensemen. After Niklas Kronwall's power-play goal during Monday's 3-1 victory over the Blues, the Wings defensemen have 33 goals — Kronwall has 11, followed by Nicklas Lidstrom with 10, Ian White with six, Brad Stuart four and Jakub Kindl and Jonathan Ericsson one each. The franchise record is 59 (Reed Larson was tops with 27) during the 1980-81 season. "We like to get offense from everyone," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "We think our back end has that skill set.""
Red Wings get tough with Blues, run home winning steak to 17
January 24
Detroit News
 
"Again an opponent found out it can't push around the Red Wings. The St. Louis Blues attempted to do so Monday and paid the price on the scoreboard. In a physical, grinding, and definitely chippy game the Wings came out on top, 3-1. This one had the feel of a playoff game all evening. The Wings can only hope they took away from it for later in the season. "That's the type of game you'll see down the stretch," said defenseman Brad Stuart, whose hit on Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo late in the first period got the Wings going. "We're going to have more of these down the stretch, a playoff-type game, and you have to win those types of games.""
Blues' Pietrangelo has his share of admirers
January 23
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The first of the gushing compliments about Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo was dropped in December 2010 before a Blues-Detroit game. "It looks like he's been touched by a wand by God," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock told the Post-Dispatch. Five months later, Pietrangelo suited up for Team Canada at the 2011 world championships, where Ken Hitchcock was his coach. "He has the same puck patience characteristics as Nick Lidstrom," the future Blues coach told reporters that May. "He's calm when he should panic … he has that quality about him that's very, very unique where he does not panic when he's under challenging situations.""
Mike Babcock, Wings take notice of resurgent Blues
January 23
Detroit News
 
"The Blues were underachieving again, and when they hired the veteran, Stanley Cup-winning coach Ken Hitchcock in November it was easy to conclude two results were likely. The accomplished strategist and fiery disciplinarian would improve St. Louis, or the players would chafe and eventually tune out the demanding 60-year-old coach, as the Blue Jackets had done with "Hitch" two years ago. Most around the NHL, including Hitchcock's friend and colleague Mike Babcock, were betting on success. They were right. The Blues were 6-7 when Hitchcock began. They have been 23-5-6 since."
Backes has 2 goals, 2 assists as Blues win
January 22
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"A few games ago, the Blues traded in their "Hard hat of the game" for the "Weenie hat." Several players had won it recently, but none dared to wear it in their postgame television interview. Until Saturday. After a four-point night that lifted the Blues to a 4-2 victory over Buffalo, David Backes was wearing a hot dog in a bun on top of his head in the locker room. "I'm the weenie of the game," Backes proclaimed. "Other guys are supposed to be doing their interviews in it when they win it. The heart and soul guys, instead of wearing hard hats, they wanted weenie of the game, so this is what we go with. "We've been doing it for maybe six, seven, eight games here ... apparently the weenie of"
Hitchcock still calling for intensity
January 21
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Blues have been traveling the fine line between chaos and creation. Consecutive 1-0 victories at Scottrade Center have helped create 62 points, which is among the top totals in the NHL. But at times, the wins bordered on chaos. Both games went deep into the third period before a lamp was lit. Both games were shutouts for resurgent goaltender Jaroslav Halak, yet both games were dangerously close to going into overtime and beyond. Coach Ken Hitchcock will never complain about wins. In the parity-condensed environment of the NHL, in which teams go from upper division to lower division in a matter of a game or two, you take points however you get them. But Hitchcock recognizes the line is"
Stillman signs deal to buy Blues
January 21
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"A group led by Blues minority owner Tom Stillman has signed a purchase agreement to buy the club, a source has told the Post-Dispatch. The Blues and Stillman now must complete the sale and have it approved by the NHL, a process that could take several weeks. The league's Board of Governors will meet Jan. 28, the day before the NHL All-Star game in Ottawa, but only an update on the Blues' situation is expected to be discusssed, not a vote. The step of Stillman's group signing a purchase agreement comes 2 1/2 weeks after the NHL terminated a purchase agreement between the Blues and Chicago businessman Matthew Hulsizer. The league then granted Stillman an exclusive negotiating window. The"
Oilers shut out in St. Louis
January 20
Edmonton Sun
 
"It went much the way everyone expected when the team with the NHL's best home record (19-3-3) took on a 29th place club missing six of its best guys. Which is to say, badly. It was close, but it was bad. Bad game, bad result for the decimated and slumping Oilers, who limited the damage to 1-0 in a loss to the red hot Blues Thursday in St. Louis."
Pre-game safety is an issue
January 20
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Blues have no plans to require their players to wear helmets during the pregame skate, an issue that has come to light after a serious injury involving Edmonton's Taylor Hall. Hall was not in the lineup Thursday night at Scottrade Center, but did speak with reporters, two days after needing 30 stitches to close up a gap that stretched to his hairline from just above his left eye. Hall tripped over a puck and after colliding with teammate Ladislav Smid, another teammate, Corey Potter, inadvertently stepped on Hall's forehead. "It doesn't look good, that's for sure," Hall said. "What can you do? You can say that I'm lucky that I didn't get my eye taken out or my throat sliced or I'm just"