2018 - 2019 Blues (Hockey) Season

[Jocephus]

[Tim]

Congrats to all the diehards.

[Popeye_Card]

Now that I've relaxed a bit, here are my thoughts on the game:

I was pretty calm going in, expecting at least a good game. The Blues have really only played poorly in this series when they've been out-hustled/out-worked, and I didn't expect them to lose that edge in game 7. And they didn't.

First period, the Blues generally controlled the play, but Dallas still had some great chances. Binnington played possibly his best period in the playoffs to only allow the 1 goal.

Second period--wow. Along with the third, Blues completely controlled the game. Best they have played since game 6 against the Jets. Just as importantly, Binnington was able to stay sharp despite going for several minutes between action. It felt like the Stars only spent about 20 seconds of the entire 2nd period with control of the puck in the Blues' zone.

OT, I think I had approximately 7 minor heart attacks.

It feels a bit strange to be this excited about the Blues getting to the WCF. I'm not sure if outsiders really understand how rare this is. In the 40 seasons (including this one) since the merger with the WHL, the Blues have...

Reached the playoffs 34 times (85%).
Reached the 2nd round 19 times (47.5%).
Reached the conference finals 4 times (10%).
Reached the Stanley Cup finals 0 times. (As if you needed a reminder.)

That's a .210 winning percentage in the second round. That's...bad.

[Jocephus]

Congrats to all the diehards.

ditto

[Jack0fDiamonds]

Congrats to all the bandwagon hoppers!

[Freed Roger]

Congrats to all the bandwagon hoppers!

Thanks

[cardsfantx]

Now that I've relaxed a bit, here are my thoughts on the game:

I was pretty calm going in, expecting at least a good game. The Blues have really only played poorly in this series when they've been out-hustled/out-worked, and I didn't expect them to lose that edge in game 7. And they didn't.

First period, the Blues generally controlled the play, but Dallas still had some great chances. Binnington played possibly his best period in the playoffs to only allow the 1 goal.

Second period--wow. Along with the third, Blues completely controlled the game. Best they have played since game 6 against the Jets. Just as importantly, Binnington was able to stay sharp despite going for several minutes between action. It felt like the Stars only spent about 20 seconds of the entire 2nd period with control of the puck in the Blues' zone.

OT, I think I had approximately 7 minor heart attacks.

It feels a bit strange to be this excited about the Blues getting to the WCF. I'm not sure if outsiders really understand how rare this is. In the 40 seasons (including this one) since the merger with the WHL, the Blues have...

Reached the playoffs 34 times (85%).
Reached the 2nd round 19 times (47.5%).
Reached the conference finals 4 times (10%).
Reached the Stanley Cup finals 0 times. (As if you needed a reminder.)

That's a .210 winning percentage in the second round. That's...bad.

we reached the Stanley Cup finals our first 3 years in existence, didn't we?

edit - had to look it up; yeah we reach the Stanley Cup finals our first 3 years; 68, 69, 70. granted there were different rules, but we still reached the finals

[Popeye_Card]

We did. I made the cut at ‘79-‘80, which was the first post-merger season.

We did make those first 3 years, but mostly due to how the league was structured, putting all the expansion teams in one conference. So they count, but they don’t really count.

[cardsfantx]

We did. I made the cut at ‘79-‘80, which was the first post-merger season.

We did make those first 3 years, but mostly due to how the league was structured, putting all the expansion teams in one conference. So they count, but they don’t really count.

ahh, ok did you mean the WHA merger then? you had said WHL, which was way back in 1926, so thought it'd include the blues 3x appearances

[Popeye_Card]

Yep, sorry—WHA.