Blues v. Kings: Game Four

The question of the day, as it pertains to the Blues/Kings playoff series at least, seems pretty clear: does anybody have anybody exactly where they want them?

Hell if I know.

On the one hand, there is no doubt that the first three games have followed a preferred script for the Blues. They have been hard hitting, tight checking, well goal-tended affairs with few scoring chances and no open ice. I also think they may be giving me an ulcer. Seven total goals in three games results in contests where there is precious little margin for error. If either team ever gets a two goal lead that will signal the first moment where a team gets to take a breath.

I realize the Blues will not want to change a whole lot going into Game Four. They've been good and the basic game plan they are working with is a proven winner. However, being shutout in Game Three underscores a basic fact about hockey: you need to score more goals than the other guy to win.

To that end I hope Hitch decides tonight is the night to skate Tarasenko. I think the idea to have him watch the first couple of games was a good one, but now is the time to let him loose. As for the question of who you sit to get Tarasenko into the game, I think there are three options.

A) Sit Oshie. Oshie has been okay in the series so far, but there has been a little rust as he was just coming back off an injury. Resting the ankle a little might be beneficial, particularly if the Blues run deep into the playoffs.

B) Sit McDonald. McDonald has not been bad to this point, but he hasn't stood out either. He is an older player as well so getting the odd game off can keep him fresh going forward.

C) Sit Cracknell. The fourth line of Reaves-Porter-Cracknell has been terrific and the impulse to keep them running as a unit will be strong. However, if you want to get Tarasenko in AND you don't want to sit Oshie or McDonald it makes sense to sit Cracknell and slip Sobotka down to the fourth line.

It will certainly be interesting to see which way Hitch decides to go, but I certainly hope he makes some sort of tweak to the lineup that results in that elusive two goal lead for the Blues. Maybe then I could back off on the Pepto-Bismol consumption.