After a slow start last season, opening the first month of play with a losing record, the St. Louis Blues fired then head coach Davis Payne and replaced him with Ken Hitchcock. This would be the best move the Blues made last season. Hitchcock came in strong and turned the team around immediately, earning points in ten of his first eleven games as head coach. The teams success continued under Hitchcock, finishing on top of the Central Divison, and seeded second in the Western Conference heading into the playoffs.
Jumping into 2012-13, Blues fans have one thing on their mind – can they do it all over again and repeat last seasons success?
Despite finishing with the second fewest goals for in the Central Division, the Blues were a great team. They pulled this off with sound goaltending, not only from their starter, but their backup as well. With a .940 save percentage, Brian Elliot lead the league last season. Not far behind, at number six overall with a .926 save percentage was Jaroslav Halak. The dominant numbers were similar for goals against average, with Elliot leading the league at 1.56 and Halak at number four with 1.97. It goes to show that when you have a couple of lights out netminders, you don’t always need the offense to be running on all cylinders.
Was what happened last season unusual for the Blues though? With a career average of 2.43 goals against per game, Halak may have been in rare form last season. We all know he’s a solid goalie, but those numbers may have been too good. Additionally, Brian Elliot’s career numbers are even worse with a career goals against average at 2.6. While both goalies may still play well next season, I expect Halak to regain the starting position over Elliot.
But given the defensive minded system the Blues are playing in, perhaps the domination between the pipes can continue for St. Louis. After all, it was Ken Hitchcock that got the team playing this way. With him behind the bench, and the whole team buying into his system, everything should theoretically be just as good as last season.
Offensively, it looks like we can expect more out of David Perron this season. He has had plenty of time to heal and recover from his concussion which caused him to miss much of the 2010-11 season, and some of last season as well. Jumping right back into things this season will be key, and Perron should be in top form offensive form for the Blues.
Expect a resurgence out of Chris Stewart as well. Stewart has put up great numbers in the past, but his effectiveness was limited last season. He is due for a turnaround, and should see some increased time on the ice this season in St. Louis.
Another offensive key will be the health of Andy McDonald. He will post near point per game numbers when healthy, but for much of his career, health has been a major concern. Without an injury, McDonald will ensure this offense stays on track and puts up a few more goals for this season.
Defensively, the St. Louis Blues are now without Carlo Colaiacovo, whom they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in free agency. Colaiacovo was a good offensive defenseman, putting up solid numbers on the power play during his time in St. Louis.
Returning on the blue line you will find Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk. Pietrangelo is much more skilled offensively, but plays solid defensively as well. His 51 points last season actually placed him third on the team at the end of the season. Right behind him, and equally as important, was Shattenkirk. Both of these guys will be counted on to play minutes during all situations, and to play against the oppositions best players. Barret Jackman will also be key for the Blues defensively, and he will have to have another strong season for them to be back in the hunt next spring.
Fans should be excited for the Blues upcoming campaign. Having Ken Hitchcock behind the bench, and having a cast of players that fully supports his program, definitely works in their favor. With a shut ’em down defensive style of play, the Blues should be just as competitive as last season. The one-two goalie punch is the biggest key though, and if either begins to falter, things could get a little shaky in St. Louis. At the end of the day though, this is a playoff calibur team and should make a return trip to the postseason.
