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One day left and one section left to examine.
We've seen the blueline and the netminders (and you're insane if you think I'm going to bother comparing the coaches) so let's hit up the offensive ranks:
St. Louis Offensive Pairings (based on EV stats from the last three games)
Brad Boyes - David Backes - Andy McDonald
David Perron - T.J. Oshie - Patrik Berglund
Brad Winchester - Jay McClement - Keith Tkachuk
B.J. Crombeen - Dan Hinote - Alex Steen
I've been using Frozenpool.com to help compile a bunch of these stats and they have different lines for the Blues then I have found elsewhere on the interwebs, especially having Steen and Winchester change slots with each other. Also I know Backes has moved to center even though he's listed everywhere else as a winger.
So I did my best but these may be slightly off. If so just sound off in the comments and I'll adjust.
Let's take a closer look:
The #1 line of the Blues has old RFA friend Backes alongside Boyes and the glandular McDonald. You've got two 30 goal scorers in Boyes (33) and Backes (31) and McDonald's 44 points is admirable considering he missed damn near half the season. Boyes lead the Blues with 16 PPGs and was tied for the team lead in PPAs (19). Boyes and Backes are also having career years in terms of points and Backes leads the team in PIMs. All three are 2-1-3 against Vancouver this year, making this a pretty damn potent line at both even strength and on special teams. Curiously, note the +/- of these three as well.
Here's their "Kid Line" (sorry, I'm not calling them OPP because that's just sad). Alongside their outstanding rookie Berglund is Oshie, who had his fan-nominated goal of the year against Luongo last month, and Perron who is the third highest point getter on the team (50). Naturally rookies Berglund and Oshie are having career years and Perron is as well in his sophmore campaign. Against Vancouver this season, Oshie is 2-3-5, Perron is 1-2-3 and Berglund leads all Blues players at 1-5-6. In our last meeting this line tore Vancouver apart. They were quicker, hungrier and just flat out better (two of them made the three stars for that game alone). They won't have their way like that again starting tomorrow, but they're huge threats anytime they jump over the boards.
As stated earlier, I may have Winchester on the wrong line here but whatever. Hinote is no stranger since you should hate him already from his Colorado days; good forechecker and agitator. Tkachuk has a decent season, but a far cry from his pre-lockout domination days with STL and Phoenix. Still a big body that'll be tough to move around. Winchester was part of the 2006 Edmonton run at the Cup but was mostly scratched that post season. I do remember watching Winchester in an game this year and he's got a cannon of a shot (though not an accurate one). Winchester is having a career year as well. Against Vancouver this year Tkachuk is 1-3-4 whereas Hinote and Winchester are both scoreless. Again, note the +/- for each.
Like a lot of fourth lines, you have some big guys here (I can see where Winchester's 6'5'' frame belongs down on this line) but unlike a lot of fourth lines, they can score too (compare McClement's 12 goals with Ryan Johnson's two). Crombeen is your typical fourth line energy guy, McClement is a good two way forward (though not a terribly physical one) and Steen, cast away from Toronto in that November deal, can produce some timely offense to compliment McClement. I suppose we should also mention Cam Janssen and his 131 PIMs could end up down here at some point if Murray thinks he needs more brawn and anger in his lineup. And, yes, again note the +/-.
By The Numbers
2008-09 Shots
STL Forwards - 1788
VAN Forwards - 1644
2008-09 Assists
STL Forwards - 286
VAN Forwards - 292
2008-09 Goals
STL Forwards - 212
VAN Forwards - 206
2008-09 Points*
STL Forwards - 498
VAN Forwards - 498
(* no kidding, double check me if you'd like)
2008-09 Fights
STL Forwards - 51
VAN Forwards - 39
2008-09 PIMs
STL Forwards - 868
VAN Forwards - 723
2008-09 Blocked Shots
STL Forwards - 367
VAN Forwards - 427
2008-09 Giveaways
STL Forwards - 266
VAN Forwards - 318
2008-09 Takeaways
STL Forwards - 355
VAN Forwards - 384
2008-09 Hits*
STL Forwards - 1,102
VAN Forwards - 735
(* for the record, Backes leads the Blues and the Holy Bernier leads Vancouver)
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