The First Real Test

It seems pretty absurd to suggest that a game in mid October can be very monumental, but when the Blues hit the ice against the hated Red Wings tonight, they will be playing their most important game since the lockout.

After five games, the Blues have planted themselves into the upper echelon of the NHL by posting special teams numbers that are just downright nasty.

Skeletor errr Andy Murray’s decision to go sans defensemen (or sometimes one) on the power play has turned around a unit that last year trailed… everyone. This year so far? The PP is clicking to a tune of 40.9%, which means they are trailing… no one. In fact the next best power play unit is Edmonton who checks in having converted 29.4% of their chances.

Not to be overlooked is the team’s penalty kill unit which is currently sixth in the league, killing 90% of all chances. This unit also had possibly the best moment of this young season, when they killed off a double minor which quickly turned into a five on three against Toronto, the key sequence of a 5-4 Blues shootout win.

None of this matters, though, if you can’t beat teams in your own division. The power play nearly sent the Predators back to extinction on opening night, and two clutch goals in the third sent the Blackhawks crashing.

But those teams aren’t the Red Wings.

Those teams aren’t the best collection of skaters and passers since the Soviet Red Army squad.



For the Blues, this should be the last year of a playoff-less rebuilding squad, but early on it looks as though this team is a playoff team. This game is huge to see how the Blues, especially on the power play, respond to a good team, and also for the Blues to show that they will not be bullied around by this Red Wing squad again.

There isn’t much of a question as to how good the Wings are. As much as I hate to say it, last year’s team was the best hockey team I have ever seen. Detroit should run away with this division again, especially with the addition of Marion Hossa, and the continued development of Johan Franzen.

However, the Blues need to make a move in the standings this year; this team needs to at the very least be in serious contention for a playoff spot entering the last week of the season, both for development’s sake and to keep the fans in the Scott.

A winning record against Detroit would help this team accomplish both of those. A win tonight would legitimize the early season excitement surrounding the Blues, and establish them as a serious contender in the Central.