BLUES HOME GAME. Podcast. The power play. Ryan Miller extension wise? Slagging Hitch. Hockey Wilderness. Tire fire in Toronto. Good on John Davidson. And Portlandia.
Oh, hello. What are these "HOME GAMES" you speak of?
BLUES NEWS:
The Blues host the Wild (s) tonight. And the Captain, David Backes, appears to be back on track . . . I wonder if the reunited top line has something to do with it, eh? [StL Today / Morning Skate]
Beyond Checkerdome Episode 36 went to air yesterday. We drink, we talk Blues hockey and we do (and say) other shit. [SLGT]
Robb has a roundup of the Blues power play in two graphics. The conclusion? It's not as bad as you maybe think it is. [SLGT]
Should Ryan Miller make his relationship with the Blues long-term? Matt Larkin says . . . yes. [The Hockey News]
Normally Ryan Lambert's pieces don't end up with a major point about the Blues, but this one does. He slags Ken Hitchcock a touch (among other things) in his weekly Power Rankings. [Puck Daddy]
KNOW YOUR ENEMY--THE MINNESOTA WILD(S):
For everything you ever wanted to know about the Minnesota Wild(s) . . . Hockey Wilderness is where you need to go. [Hockey Wilderness]
Also of note, though I don't have a link . . . tonight is a match for the Conference III Crown Of Shit. Loser gets it. So win, Blues!
The Wild(s) will be coming in pissed . . . having lost to the Canucks AT HOME 5-2 last night. Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch. But . . . hey, we know how you feel, guys. The Blues lost to them . . . three times this season. But they're not battling for a wild card spot, whereas you are. [Hockey Wilderness]
HOCKEY NEWS:
Three games last night, and all three had winners because they don't have ties anymore, Goddamnit. [NHL.com 03/26/14]
Ten games tonight. If you care only about the one in St. Louis, I won't feel less of you. [NHL.com 03/27/14]
Old friend John Davidson will be the new chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee. Congratulations, J.D.! A huge honor, and well-deserved. Choose wisely. [Hockey Hall of Fame]
The Maple Leafs, as we saw Tuesday night, are a complete fucking mess. Former SBN Hockey overlord James Mirtle writes that the latest collapse like the one on Tuesday should bring some tough questions to Bay Street. [Globe & Mail]
Sad news, as long-time Blackhawks beat writer Tim Sassone passed away. They had a moment of silence in his honor at United Center Tuesday, and those involved with the team gave their thoughts. May you rest in peace, Tim. [Daily Herald]
There are two types of players-only meetings. Justin Bourne explains what they are and their effectiveness. [The Score / Backhand Shelf]
The decision as to whether or not Penguins defenseman Kris Letang joins the club sooner or later . . . or, really, at all . . . after being cleared to play (following treatment for a stroke) rests solely on . . . Kris Letang. [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]
OTHER SHIT:
One of Major League Soccer's fiercest rivalries is basically in my backyard - Sounders FC of Seattle vs. Timbers FC of Portland (my favorite MLS team, actually, at least until St. Louis gets a team, finally). Cascadia's battle is also known as the "Pig War". It is . . . quite interesting, and SO Cascadia. [SB Nation / Longform]
The 2014 Name Of The Year Bracket is ready, and voting started yesterday. Holy shit, these names are great. (My money's on "Curvaceous Bass".) [Deadspin Concourse]
VIDEO:
In honor of the Timbers/Sounders story, I present the beginning of the first-ever episode of Portlandia because that show is awesome:
"The dream of the 90's is alive in Portland . . . . "
And . . . that'll do it for the week. J-Mill, my links partner-in-crime, has your weekend. Treat him well, would you please?:
jasonmcadams1120 AT gmail DOT com
@JMill1120
And hopefully you remember how to get to the arena if you've got a ticket tonight. #RockTheScott, and get yourself a St. Louis Game Time paper . . . and yes, you still should tip your vendor, you cheap shithead.
LET'S GO BLUES.