FanNation - The Republic of Sport

In assessing the Blues' first month, I'd have to say that the 5-7-1 record is a bit of a disappointment.   This is especially true in light of the fact that they've had 8 of 13 games at home, and the current record was reached after a quick 4-1 start.   Winning only 1 of the last 8 is definitely discouraging.   All news is not bad, however, as I'll highlight the Good and the Bad.

The Good:

• The power play, which was the league's worst last season, is 2^nd in the NHL at 27 percent.  The PP carried them to the 4-1 start, and has been a major factor in most of their wins.
• The Kids are coming along.   After a slow start, Patrik Berglund is playing well and showing signs of becoming an offensive force, scoring 8 points in 12 games, and leading the Blues at +5.    TJ Oshie has also shown potential skill, and Alex Pietrangelo has shown a lot of poise on the Blueline.   David Perron, though he hasn't scored, has totaled eight assists, and been very active offensively.  I think the goals will come for him.
• The veterans are leading the way, with Paul Kariya, Andy McDonald and Brad Boyes all scoring better than a point per game.  Keith Tkachuk has been rejuvenated, scoring 9 goals already, tied for 4^th in the league.

The Bad:

• Sarah Palin.  The Blues were 4-2 and coming off a well-played, spirited loss to Detroit when Palin arrived at Scottstrade Center to drop the opening puck against Los Angeles.  Manny Legace  injured himself on the carpet that was put down to accommodate Palin, and the Blues are 1-5-1 since.
• Injuries to Legace, Kariya, Oshie and Berglund have hurt, but in particular the Blues have not responded well to losing Legace.   Once he went out, the Blues have seemed to play with less confidence in front of Chris Mason and Ben Bishop.
• Eric Brewer has not stepped up.   With Erik Johnson's injury, the Blues really needed Brewer to step forward and lead the defense.   He's responded with one point and is already a -10 for the year.

The Blues have a pretty tough schedule for the rest of November, so it won't be easy to turn around the recent skid.   With Legace's return in the last game, however, the Blues could be starting the way back to the right track.   If they can get him back in a groove and play with the confidence they showed early, they can hopefully get back over the .500 mark over the next few weeks.    Better play from the defense is needed, however.  They also need to avoid the lengthy scoreless droughts that have hurt them in a number of they have played well.