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Blues Get Early Start On Late Season Swoon

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Ugh. At least the Blues are consistent. If you watched the Blues last season you know it doesn't matter how good they can look at times, a prolonged stumble is only a heartbeat away. There was some optimism that an influx of youthful talent could mitigate this trend somewhat, but a rash of injuries has underscored the lack of NHL ready depth in the organization.

I'm not surprised, but Gordo is:

Remember how the Blues blew out of the gates this fall, looking very much like a playoff contender?

Forget about it. Now this hybrid team -– an interesting mix of kids and hardened veterans -– faces a season-defining challenge.

The Blues lost four of the last five games on a seven-game homestand, then opened a five-game trip by losing in Anaheim.

Some how, some way, they must pull themselves together during the next few weeks and earn some points.

...

The Blues will need to:

* Maintain better defensive position and become stronger on the puck in their own zone. Opponents are converting Blues mistakes into goals, pouncing on loose pucks and picking off errant passes.

Agreed. Running around in your own end has never been a sign of a successful team, but that goes for every team.

* Get better goaltending from Mason. Legace is pushing himself back into the picture, but he played hurt too often last season. He needs to be 100 percent recovered from his hip injury before playing again.

The Blues are paying Mason top dollar and the club is not getting a top return. That must change.

I'll cut Mason some slack as obviously the appendicitis thing threw him off. Plus, when he has played well, the offense hasn't.

* Overcome injuries and generate more scoring at even strength. That means you, Lee Stempniak, and you, David Perron.

This is dead wrong. Both of these players need to work with other skilled players, and as we have had injuries and benchings that hasn't been possible. It is here that the lack of offensive talent is killing the Blues. Injuries are not the exception in the NHL, they are the rule. You need to have a roster that takes their inevitability into account.

That, of course, doesn't mean you have a spare Paul Kariya hanging around, but you need to be able to call on someone other than journeymen role players. Now, the Blues have evidently been waiting on the revival of Rip Van Shanahan, and he certainly could help. However, I'm not sure how long the Blues can stand by and do nothing.
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