Just as the team was creating waves of excitement throughout the city following a wildly successful and surprising regular-season and impressive first-round playoff performance, the St. Louis Blues seem to be headed out in a whimper.
After literally beating up the San Jose Sharks in Round 1 of the playoffs, the Blues have looked punch drunk in Round 2. NHL Coach of the Year candidate Ken Hitchcock will have to pull off the coaching job of his life to resuscitate his team from a 0-3 deficit versus the LA Kings.Â
Despite Hitchcock’s brilliant coaching job this season, the team appears to have run out of gas. During Round 1, the Blues overpowered the Sharks. The series was highlight by the massive brawl after Game 2 that seemed to sink the Sharks hopes ever though the series the tied 1-1 at that time. St. Louis never looked back.
Against the Kings, the Blues have been outhustled, overpowered and overmatched. With goalie Jaroslav Halak out for the series, Brian Elliott has been shallacked by his opponents. But he can’t take the blame on his own. The team defense has been atrocious, leaving the Kings with countless chances in front of the net.Â
Whether injuries (Halak and Alex Pietrangelo), lack of playoff experience or fatigue has been the cause, the Blues now have their back to the wall. They only have until Sunday to get it together in attempt to remake the Miracle on Ice – four games in a row.
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