Changing Of The Guard, the 2015/2016 St Louis Blues

[onlybygrace]

After several years of disappointment, the St. Louis Blues are looking to go in a new direction. The old core has run its course in St Louis and a new emergence of young talent is rising in the Gateway City.

This chise is being played in Season Mode on NHL 15 on Xbox 360. I will play every game and provide short game by game summaries and relevant updates as the season moves along. Starting with the off season...

[onlybygrace]

ARMSTRONG MAKES HUGE DEALS AT NHL ENTRY DRAFT

The St Louis Blues in just one day have completely changed the face of their organization as Doug Armstrong made two blockbuster deals.

Easily the most significant trade was sending David Backes, TJ Oshie, and a first round pick to Pittsburgh for Evgeni Malkin.

In a second big trade the Blues acquired Milan Lucic and Dennis Seidenberg for Jay Bouwmeester, Carl Gunnarsson, and prospect Ty Rattie.

'I feel a lot of good was accomplished today', said GM Doug Armstrong. 'We needed change and this takes us in a new and fresh direction. We couldn't go into this season with the same song and dance. Sometimes it's time to turn the page...now was the time'.

[onlybygrace]

New Faces and Youth Lead Blues Into New Era

Forward Lines

Steen-Malkin-Tarasenko
Lucic-Stastny-Schwartz
Fabbri-Lehtera-Berglund
Jaskin-Ott-Reaves

Ivan Barbashev is first reserve forward

Pietrangelo-Seidenberg
Shattenkirk-Butler
Bortuzzo-Hanakpaa/Lindbohm/Edmundson

Allen
Elliott

Many analysts note the Blues holes on the blueline and questions between the pipes while praising the forwards, calling the squad a darkhorse entering the season.

[onlybygrace]

BLUES ROUTE RAGS IN HOME OPENER

NYR 0
STL 5

The Blues were led by the dominant play of Jaden Schwartz (2 goals), Paul Stastny (1G, 3 A), and Milan Lucic (1 G, 3 A) as the line combined for four goals on five shots. Jake Allen had 28 saves in the shutout.

CGY 2
STL 1
FLAMES CLUTCH GOAL LEADS THE WAY

The Flames would etch their way past the Blues on a clutch goal by Curtis Glencross with 37 seconds remaining in regulation.

BLUES STORM IN LOS ANGELES
STL 4
LAK 3

After going down 2-0 in the first period, the Blues rallied for four second period goals including Evgeni Malkin and Robbi Fabbri's first goals in a Blues uniform. The struggling Kings are just 1-4-0 in their first five games.

[DrGravyBoat]

OBG is back!!!!!!!

Hope its not too early to post, but its back.

Following.

[onlybygrace]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrGravyBoat

OBG is back!!!!!!! Hope its not too early to post, but its back. Following.

Just gonna do something simple and easy to maintain. :-)

[onlybygrace]

ARIZONA STOMPS BLUES

Two late Blues goals gave the appearance of a close game tonight as the Coyotes downed St Louis 5-3. Arizona was led by Martin Erat who scored twice and added an assist. The Blues allowed Arizona three second period goals and fell behind 5-1 before Steen and Reaves would score as St Louis played much better in the third period; too little, too
late. Jaden Schwartz scored his 3rd goal of the season. Tarasenko has yet to tally this season. Jake Allen was pulled after allowing 4 goals on 18 shots. Brian Elliott stopped 8 of 9 in relief.

[onlybygrace]

BLUE NOTES

Evgeni Malkin has just a goal through four games with just six shots.

Vladimir Tarasenko has yet to score, leads the team with 14 shots.

Top defensive pair D Seidenberg and A Pietrangelo each have four assists in four games.

LEAGUE NOTES

Jusi Jokinen leads the league with 7 goals in just 5 games.

Conner McDavid is tied for 5th in league scoring with 8 points, 5 assists.

David Backes is 2nd in the NHL with 7 assists enjoying his new scenery in Pittsburgh.

Dallas is 5-0-0 to start the season.

Other notables:
TOR 5-1-0
EDM 4-0-1
LAK NYR 1-4-0