Noted - Episode 122: Blues v Isles

0:00This episode of the noted podcast is brought to you by Olympia Kabab House. Going over on the season when you're in the stadium, check out Olympia. A lot of TVs they'll even put the sound on for you. Enjoy the game from there. Alright, let's play some puck boys. This is noted at St. Louis Blues Podcast for fans by fans. Guys, another disappointing victory. Another disappointing loss last night for the Blues. A lot of really interesting storylines. A lot of mixed emotions about this loss for me. But let's get this out of the way Jake in the building. What do you have to say for yourself, man? Well, I do believe that I may be cursed first and foremost. You know, it really was looking good there. Looking like a classic blues victory where we get a heavily outshot by the opponent.

1:06But we're just gritty and, you know, hold before whether the storm and take our chances on the rush, which seems to be working that we're doing much better these days. We are getting those rush goals and it was really exciting. Particularly when my guy got that first goal. And I mean, my view of that was immaculate. And it looks like you had some good seats last night. That's awesome. Yeah, we, you know, I just waited. I waited for those prices to drop and it worked. You know, so I was really happy to be there. Obviously, it's a chance to see my guy score a goal because I knew that would happen. I knew that we were going to be doing something. And I wanted to feel that. And since she can't hear me right now, my girlfriend, although she is newer to this deep passion of blues hockey,

2:08since being with me, she kind of poked me after the brain shed and trivia. It was just like, uh, Jake, I kind of like feel something right now inside me. I'm like, I'm like, welcome. Well, come because this is what it's all about. And then obviously the opportunity to see Matthew Schaeffer was a special talent. And he is as good as advertised and looked good. The funny thing is is that like he didn't really do much that just like got me out of my seat. But what he did do was just make the game look really easy. Like he is just, you're not going to take the puck off him for real. Like he's going to break it out. He's going to help get it up eyes. He's so consistent already. He just looks like a veteran. You know, so it was really fun to be there last night. I'm not going to lie. The energy was good in the building. Better than it's been all season.

3:08And all my other losses. But ultimately, I, I really felt disappointed at the end. You know, and I know we only got David for a little bit. So I'm just going to throw some shade immediately because I want to, I want to start the pot a little bit. You know, like he, he looked good all night. You're guy. This is another goal that I had a very, very good view with. And I kept feeling throughout this, you know, even though it's a short play. I could feel it coming in the sense of like, uh, he's not stepping up on bars. All here. And I know it's not his biggest strength. But from my vantage point, which was very, very close. I knew instantly that this was a problem because he, he just was not aggressive enough in defending him. And I'm not going to lie. I felt really disappointed because he did have a good night and looked really silky on his skates overall.

4:13Until that moment. And it's not his fault that we lost that game. You know, but since you're here, I just want you to know, like it felt terrible watching that in real time. Back close because to me, it was just so obvious. Like, dude, you cannot wait that long to challenge him. You can't. And I don't know if he was challenged ever come. This is a challenge in the room with us. I don't think I don't know. The game was over by the time I, I didn't see any challenge and the game was over. And I just, it just felt like a big balloon just popping inside me. So I'm sorry, David. But like, I don't know if you saw the same thing. It just, man, it, it was kind of rough to see that the game end in that way with that player involved. Yeah, no, it was passive defending. He was too far away from the, from the puck carrier there and you just kind of got dog walked.

5:17You know what, that's, we know this is not like defending 1v1s. Probably not joined Kyru's strongest. That's really not the place where we want to see Joe and Kyru's defending 1v1 against the star forward like that. Yeah, he was, he was not in the correct scenario that we wind him in and he got dog walked. That's, that's all there really is to that play. But let's, again, I think you're right, though, where it's like this loss is an onjoin Kyru. It's, it's on Jake. It's on Jake. Yeah, squarely on Jake shoulders. He's trying, I can see him trying to deflect David. Yeah, he tried, he tried to pass on the plate to my guy. But we all know in this room, in this podcast, where the real blame lies. And that's just, that's, that's the highest blame. Obviously, Jake, the second highest is Colin Pareko for being on the ice. No. And then the third highest is us for talking good on the blues and knowing full well that they were going to capitulate the following game.

6:18So I'll, I'll take the blame there. We all take a little bit of blame. So. And honestly, for like, capitulating, like, it's actually is like a relatively feel good capitulate because we actually play like pretty solid pop guy thought. Yeah, I tend to agree with you. And if we would have played this same game, maybe a month ago, two months ago, I would have said that's perfect. That's perfect. Give me that for another 20 games. But the situation changes, changes the tide shifts. And it just felt like we were building towards something that something I don't really know. There's no conclusion to what we were building towards. At the same time, I loved that game. I loved every part of it outside of the coaches challenge. It really felt like we were about to walk away from that game in another decisive victory. Where our top line is producing again.

7:21And our goalie looks like the best goalie in the league playing the best goalie in the league. And we almost chased him. We were a skate blade away from chasing him. And that would have been a really good feeling. But all credit is broken. What a game from him after after letting in the fourth goal and staying in the game. He shot the door. He made some 10 bell saves towards the end of that game. We got a little bit unlucky with with some of the crossbars and you know, some of the posts that we hit. But he played incredible in the way that he stood in there. It's like there's no mystery why he's one of the front runners for the Vesna this year. We saw it. We saw the whole spectrum of the performance from him. There were and the goals that were scored maybe one, maybe Dylan Hallways was the one that shouldn't have gone in. But you know, Dylan Hall always got a good shot. He put it in the right place.

8:21There were two guys screening him. It was a great release. Whatever. Even that fourth one. He had no chance. He really didn't have a chance to make those saves. But got to give him a lot of credit. And to your point, Jake about Matthew Schaefer. Every time he touched the puck, he made something happen. Whether it was a shot, whether it was a good pass, whether it was a breakout, whether it was entering the zone, he does it all. And you see why a guy like Braden Shen says he was one of the main reasons why he decided to move to the island and play with this upstart islanders team. Because you have a talent like Matthew Schaefer and all you need to do is put some pieces around him. And all of a sudden, you're quickly in a contention window. What I saw from Matthew Schaefer last night was, you know, was it anything special? Like you said, it depends how you define that. If every time you touch the puck, you do something with it is special.

9:22And yeah, he was really special last night. He had a lot of shots. He created chances. He did literally everything that you could from a back end. That's possible for an 18 year old. Like this is just nuts what we're seeing right now, Jake. Yeah, it's historic. I mean, he's likely going to go down as, you know, one of the best 18 year old defenseman to grace this league, you know, in its history. And yes, I agree with you. You think that that is special, the fact that he's just so good at everything and makes it look that easy. That is for sure special, you know, I think I was expecting at one point. Did you see him do something just absolutely crazy and just wow like to where you just the whole stadium is just tipping their cat because they realize how ridiculous that play was.

10:22And that's what we didn't really get, but it's like you don't need it. You don't need it. He's already one of the best defensemen in the league like it's it's insane. He's way better than anyone we have. That's for sure. And you see why because he just doesn't really make mistakes. And he's a play driver, as you said, and it was just. I think before going to the game, maybe I maybe I said too high of expectations, just like thinking he was just going to do all this crazy shit. But really it was just an appreciation for how solid he is and how easy the game is to him. And I didn't just I can only imagine what it's going to look like in five years. Because you don't see a rookie there. You see a top five defenseman in the league just like already there. And it was seamless. So really, really awesome to be able to witness that up close.

11:23Yeah, and I want to talk a little bit more about Brady and Shen, but David thoughts on Matthew shape for thoughts on the Shen tribute last night. Yeah, so you know, I don't really pay like I normally don't pay close attention to the opposing team. I'm hyper focused on my guys. That's just how I wash blues hockey. But with with shape for I did like I did want to like take a quick look here and there. He was noticeable like you guys are right where it's like he didn't have any plays where just like wow, we just completely destroyed us there. You're right where it's like whenever I saw him having the puck. He was just making great decisions and making great plays. So there's nothing more to say. That's nothing more than you want for a defenseman than that basically is just whenever he has a puck. He's making great plays, you know, defending well, all that. Yeah. Seems like a great fantastic player. Yeah, one note just one note on that like his ability to find a shooting lane.

12:25I think is really incredible. I mean, he had six shots last night should have had like two goals, frankly. But Hofer was incredible last night. But it's it's that ability from the back end to find really high danger spots on the ice. Whether he's carrying it into them or finding the quiet ice for the shot, he's an option. And that's what I thought was really fantastic about his game last night, David, a little bit more on Brayden Chen. Yeah, I mean, I was watching the TNT feed. So I didn't really get the full tribute. I just saw the applause. Obviously everyone there at the Enterprise Center was going pretty well there. And then I wouldn't expect anything less, you know, it looked like exactly what I would expect out of a Brayden Chen tribute everyone really into it really showing their respect for the captain. So yeah, nothing more. I can really say I didn't get to see the full tribute.

13:27I wish I could. Maybe I need to go on Twitter or something and actually find the video. Yeah, I wish they would have done a little bit better job of broadcasting that from start to finish because that that's that's why people are tuning in for the game. That's the headline story. Shen returns to Enterprise Jake being in the building, even though I hate it. How how how was it like what was the vibe like during that salute? It was great. I mean, the first off it was a retro night. So they actually had the jumbo tron designed like it was in the 90s, which was. Yeah, it's it's neat. It's a little gimmicky, but you know, hey, it was fun. I think that. The video was solid like it. You know these tribute videos that they do there, you know, they're all pretty much the same thing just highlights.

14:31It's a highlight video and I guess that that's, you know, what it's supposed to be and that's probably whatever you team does, you know, I wouldn't say that the highlight video stood out as like being, you know, extra special or whatever. Maybe they made it a little longer, you know, compared to other blues players that receive that, but ultimately it was pretty similar. But it doesn't really matter because when you're in the moment, you're in that building, you know, when you're looking over at the Islander's bench and you see all of them just like staring at the jumbo tron just step, you know, tap in their sticks the whole time like supporting their guy and, you know, honestly, I just obviously first class by them, you know, because they were into it too. And then you just, you see everybody else looking up and they're constantly clapping and I don't know, man, it's just a good place to be, you know, in those moments and I really, really do appreciate being in those moments because it always kind of just reminds me of, you know, like why this team is such a big deal in my own life, you know.

15:50And then you get to share that with with your fellow St. Louisons, you know, most of which you've never seen or met before, but it doesn't matter. You know, so and like I said, like even the girlfriend was just, she's never seen one of those before, you know, and we've had other people that have been a bigger deal in blues history, you know, they get those. But yet it really impacted her and she might almost started crying. So I thought that was great. You feel the feels exactly and that's and that's what we want. You know, that's that's what I wanted to go for because it does always give me that reminder and kind of like re centering my focus and love and passion for this team, even in a season that's been wildly frustrating, you know, you get those moments in it. You get to take a break from from that frustration for a little bit and just appreciate the organization as a whole and the people that contribute to it.

16:53Totally and my one criticism is don't get the game started back so quickly. I don't think there was any appetite in the stadium from what it looked like to resume hockey play. I think we wanted to continue to shower Brad Chen with praise and support and appreciation for everything that he's done for this organization. I felt similarly about the John Kelly tribute. We're just felt a little bit too short lived and give us an opportunity, give us more of an opportunity to continue to shower him because that's what that's what the fans were there for. I mean, you know, the outside of, you know, getting a chance to watch Matthew Schaefer, they were there to see Braden Chen and to give him our appreciation and support. You could tell Penger was like, Shen could have done a couple more laps and they'd still be on their feet.

17:53So allow us that opportunity to give him more of what he's earned over the course of his career here in St. Louis. But really cool moment. I'm glad that you got to share that collective experience with the people in the building and you could feel it. That definitely came through on screen and glad he got the moment switching gears a little bit. I want to ask you guys, is last night's loss good or bad for the team? And what is better for this organization for now and for the future? Is it making a playoff push right now? Or is it really tanking? Because I've got some thoughts on this, but this is the question that I've been constantly turning over in my head and wrestling with over the last 24 hours since the game ended.

18:54Is that good for us? Is it bad? Is tanking and getting the high pick better for us for the long term? Or is making a playoff push better for now and in the future? I don't, I still, I'm still wrestling with it, but David, I'm curious to hear your thoughts. And I know there's a lot to unpack in that question. Here's my, you know, I've come to sort of an equilibrium here of how I think like I'm approaching this season or at least the rest the last 20 or so games of the season. So like ideally like yes, at this point, if we could do anything, I mean, well, first idea will be we win every single game obviously make the playoffs like that would be the ideal, but that's just unrealistic. Realistically thinking if we could become, you know, a bottom 14, like right now, I just checked the most recent Cory Promin, he had his update of 2026 NHL draft rankings.

19:58And the guy that we're targeting Ivar is now fourth overall, like he's falling down to fourth overall and the NHL draft ranking. So if I thought we had a realistic chance of a getting the fourth overall, you know, a top four pick in the NHL draft, you know, I would say then that I would probably be like, that would be great. But if we can lose games still play like competitive hockey lose games, get a top four pick, that would be ideal. I just think this team now that everyone is healthy and now that we're all playing a good system of hockey, we're playing good puck. Like I just don't think it's realistic at this point that we're going to finish with a top four pick unless we win the Lotto. And since we're kind of going all in on the Lotto to in order to get a top four pick and get Ivar to me, that means that you should honestly just probably go out and like honestly winning games is probably good for us. Because I don't think there's that much difference between like a top four pick and like the 12 pick, like I think you're not getting, they're all sort of going to be a top half of the lineup players, but they're not going to be stars.

21:11If you're not, if you're going to be like fifth difference between us, the difference between fifth and like 16th is probably like very low. I would say overall like you're going to get a very good player that's going to be a top half of the lineup player, I don't know if there's a huge difference. So you might as well see some good puck see our own players progress and get better feel good about the way we're playing hockey going into next season. You don't want to feel like shit, you don't want to feel like oh man, we have a shitty team. No Doug Armstrong is going to need to trade away Robert Thomas because you realize after watching the last 20 games that our team sucks. Like that's what I don't think you want that at this point, at this point, you just want to play good puck, win some games, maybe make a playoff push. And then see where the lot of why see if we can win a lot of pick and you know, get up into that top four area and get a franchise player. And if not, I don't think it's the end of the world. I love that I love that take Jake.

22:11Yeah, I'm starting I'm really starting to feel the same way and I think there's a lot to what he said, you know, about the gap between like the fifth and 16 pick now anyone's hoping that you come away with a superstar in that range, but you're not necessarily expecting it. You know, you're not expecting that bonafide like, oh, this could be a franchise level player, unless you're picking in the top two or three, you know, and it's easy to just salivate over that fact because it's something that's so rare for us. But I think what I realize is that part of what makes this organization attractive, even in being in a city like St. Louis, it's not just the culture and the alumni and all that stuff. It's the fact that like we make the playoffs more times than we don't and we've done that consistently throughout our history. And we've got an owner that spends to the cap also, so I do think about that as well, I want Ivar to and I hope he keeps slipping slip further, you know, but at the same time like come this off season.

23:28I think this the notion that we could start rebuilding is way overblown and I really don't think that's going to happen. I don't think Alex Dean is just going to take the reins and rip this thing to the studs and trade all of our best players like I just don't see that happening. You know, but I'm glad and I want to push because playoff puck. I mean, there are a few things that get me harder than that, like just as a person. I think one of them was sitting next to you last night, but yeah, well, yeah. That's my bad, but you're so you're so right though. You know, and what you mean by that is the fact that I got to see Philip Broberg score a goal like, you know, where I could even like make out his facial features while it happened. So that's legit. But ultimately this off season is is really important and we do have cap space. I want to be attractive to some of these other players that, you know, may need to change teams.

24:32Like I've been beating the drum for a long time now. Brady Kachuk is does not have a long term contract in Ottawa and they have been playing they've been hot lately. But if they miss the playoffs, like I want. I think that we're at a point where we have enough ammunition to go out and get a player of that caliber to really support this new core that we have and bring some tenacity and leadership and just grit. You know, the type of player that the Ryan O'Reilly like, but maybe even better. We need better this time than Ryan O'Reilly. I think because we are a little younger this time around and I just I want to stay relevant. I won't play off hockey. I want a chance at the cup. You know, this roster did almost win around last year and maybe it was a mirage, but maybe not.

25:33Like those players are still here and some of those young players are starting to blossom into much better players right before our eyes. And I just think this is the offseason where we could really strike. Be it through the draft because we come up short or be it through free agency or swing in a trade that could change the course of the franchise. That's what I want to see this offseason and I think that if we somehow squeaking a playoffs or even if we just miss. I think that that we will be an attractive destination for somebody. I want to be the contrarian here and and say I think it's a better that we just tank. Get the highest pick possible and do the best we can next year. But to be honest with you guys, if we continue to lose at a at a pretty alarming clip like we were before the Olympics started.

26:36I have no idea the domino effect that that's going to have on the team and on the organization to your guys' point. We want to be an attractive destination for players to come play. And if you are in the bottom of the league and there's almost no other redeeming qualities for your organization other other than you know obviously a lot of former players and current players speak really highly of you. I'm not sure that that gets it done. You know, I'm not sure that that's attractive enough for some players to say you know what I want to complete. Johnny Goodrose do not grow on trees where he chooses Columbus, you know that that just doesn't happen that often. And I think Columbus is a very similar market to what we to what we have here in St. Louis. I think we're a little bit more established from a hockey perspective. But the one thing that I want to say here is if we make a push here and if we if we get it to where it's close in that that playoff position is within striking distance.

27:48I think that signals to everyone in this team. Hey guys, we're actually not that far off from where we wanted to be and from where we thought we were at the start of the season. We just need to have a better start to the season. And I think that motivates guys going into the off season. I got to work a little bit harder. I got to work on some elements of my game so that I make sure that I start on time on game one of next season to help this team. And again, you know, we we do have that kind of attractive pitch to a guy who that we might want to trade for where it's like, Hey, we think you're the missing piece. And it's not such a pipe dream. If we're last in the NHL, it's like, Oh, really you guys think you're that close, but you finished in the bottom three of the league. And you know, like again, the domino effect. Does Robert Thomas go do we trade Paraco Kairu name him, you know, Bennington, whatever.

28:49I have a lot of anxiety about that because I truly do think we see how this team plays when they're healthy. I don't think that last year was a complete mirage. I think it was special and I think it was unique and singular. Do I think it could happen again? I think it would be really tough. But this team is a good team and we never thought we were going to be in the last position. We never thought we were going to be in a lottery position every single player. Every single guy who knows hockey, including Doug Armstrong, the people in the front office and media personnel across the hockey landscape. We're thinking to themselves, yeah, the blues are a playoff team this year. They're good. So I think we got a push. I just think we got a push and I want to see wins. So that's where my head is, David, any, I know you got to leave in a few, any closing remarks before you, before you take off. No, I honestly, I think you guys said it perfectly.

29:50I think the value of winning right now outweighs the value of losing. I think getting, you know, the player confidence, getting the entire conference in the NHL, you know, trying to make sure that we're not trading important guys like Robert Thomas, like Robert Thomas is showing so much like you want to see. Honestly, I feel bad that it sounds like he probably broke his hand last night was going to try and play through it. But he's just been so good. I don't really watch. Have you seen the news? I thought he broke his hand immediately. I thought it's true, but there's a tweet that basically said that he's going to try and basically play through whatever happened to his hands. He's just what a warrior, man. Sorry. Maybe he's just as offhand. I don't know, but apparently he's able to play through it. So you need both hands. And you get at least hold onto the stick. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Well, thanks for, thanks for jumping on for a couple minutes here, David. You know, good luck on, on your draft later tonight and appreciate the time.

30:55Have a pleasure. Jay, quickly segueing. I think it's the perfect segue to talk about Robert Thomas and Jimmy Snuggaroo. We have foundational pieces here. Like, if anything has become more clear to me, it is that Jimmy Snuggaroo. This is the player that I thought he was going to be game one this season. And frankly, we could never get out of first gear to start the season. I think that's, that's widely accepted. It's popularly known. But this is, this is the guy that I think is more like Jimmy Snuggaroo than the one that we saw earlier in the season. And I think this is more the team. And that is more the line that we expected to see from our first line coming into the season. They are extremely entertaining to watch. Like watching Dylan Holloway go to work in the corners, that close. Like it just was a different speed seeing him go in there and battle.

31:58But also Jimmy too. Like, you know, I'm not going to lie. I texted you guys. I was really, really terrified because Jimmy got crunched up against the boards right in front of us. I could see his cheek fully pressed into the, into the glass. And then, you know, he, he skates a little bit and starts shaking his hand. I look over to my girlfriend. I'm like, okay, so we might win this game. But I, I really am cursed and I, I'm scared, you know, for what this means. But then the rest is history, right? He ends up with a three point night and is the best player on our team. Minus for Albert Todd Thomas and Dylan Holloway, but that. These guys are figure. I don't want to talk about Jordan Kair because we're talking about the first line. But I will talk about it though. I'll tell you. Just a little something that I heard earlier today about how. Jordan Kair is really skilled.

32:58Obviously, but he doesn't necessarily think the game in the same way that Robert Thomas does. You know, I think they, and that could be why they don't play together. But Jimmy Snuggaroo. Say that again. Um, that Jordan Kair doesn't like. Think and evaluate the game in the same way that Robert Thomas does. For sure. Like they're on different, they're on different frequencies when it comes to the game of hockey. But what Jimmy Snuggaroo and Dylan Holloway are doing is they are matching that frequency right now. And the result is that this line is going up against the other team's top lines night in, night out. And they're better. They're doing better. Yeah. They are scoring at will. They are creating high danger chances at will. Um. Yeah. If that doesn't get you yoked, I don't know what does because we've been, we've just been so desperate for it all season.

34:00It's like, man, where's our top six? What's going on? Now, obviously the injuries played a major role. But now that these three guys are pseudo healthy. Right. I guess that's all they need. Um, the chemistry is electric, frankly. And I mean, I don't even know what I'll say. Like the Robert Thomas is, you know, tied for the, the scoring leads since the Olympic break. Like this is. Here we go again. Like it's. Where have I seen this movie before? And snuggie when you look at his numbers on the season, it's like, damn, I really thought it was going to be more than this. But now it's like multi point games are, are starting to become a little bit normal for him playing on this line. Yeah. Where he looks like an absolute stud speaking of a, you know, 20-something draft pick. Right. Right. This is a guy that that really does look like a top line player.

35:03And he's only just now opening up what he could become. And, you know, we know about the certain skills that he has. But it's really the game sense that he's starting to figure out and where to be because he knows where Rob wants, wants to get the puck. And he's finding those soft spots in this lot. And, you know, it's just, it's, it's working. It's working right now. And I fully anticipate this to continue to grow. It's not going to be two, three goals by that line every night. But in terms of just dominating one out there and creating danger. Every shift like. That looks like it could be realistic for this team moving forward. Like that consistency from them from this line specifically. Yeah, man, like that, that kind of chemistry just.

36:04You have to keep that together. And, and I think that goes to the off season. Like that extends to the off season as well. You have guys who look like a first line. And again, exactly like you said, they're going up against the other teams first line. They're going up against the other teams that are dominating them in terms of production. You, I was looking at it last night. I'm thinking to myself every time they're on the ice, we're getting a solid opportunity to score a goal. And some of the time we did. That says it all. And if you have a first line, you have a team that can do damage. You know, and right now we have a first line. And I think we need to start figuring out some second lines and third lines. I was really excited about the lineup last night. It looked really attractive to me with Devorski and Kyru on the same line. You had, um, Pavel Puchnevitch and Stenberg together. Like I was really excited to see what they could do.

37:06It didn't really pan out. I think that needs a little bit more time. But I will say I like the line makeup that we charged out there last night. And I felt like largely it was successful. If you look at the game, it was really a special teams game. Especially for the Islanders. They, yes, they got a lot of shots, but they didn't score any. They had one five on five goal. I'll give them that. But they did their damage on the power play in three on three. That's, that's where they heard us last night. Without a four minute power play, I don't know. Like maybe, maybe Joe Hofer does shut the door and doesn't allow that goal. And frankly, if we get that fourth one, I think the game's over. Right. So to have a first line going down the stretch of the season that we finally figured out these guys can play together. And not only can they play together, they can dominate together. And you have Jimmy Snuggard, who is now stepping into his own and really taking taking the spotlight.

38:13I mean, Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway is good as they're playing. Jimmy Snuggard is as vital to that line as those other two. And that is so exciting from a blues perspective, because we have a guy now that we can rely on for points, for goals, for puck battles, for hockey sense. He really has a lot of tools in his toolkit and he's showcasing them all right now. What did you think about some of the other lines last night? What'd you see it from ground level? Um, not a whole lot to be honest. Yeah. I mean, especially when you watch. I didn't even. That's why I'm asking. When those lines back good in game perspective, yeah. It was already an uphill battle for the second third line, you know, trying to get anywhere close to his entertaining is that first line.

39:15But, uh, yeah, no, I didn't see much and it was tough because, although I still think we played a solid game. Yeah, the shots were misleading, obviously. Um, but you're right. It was maybe one five on five goal, but a lot of those shots were to the outside. We were doing doing what we've been doing. Um, and Joe Hofer was making the saves when, you know, when we didn't. Um, but frankly, I thought the fourth line was better than the second and third lines. That's how it looked to me. Um, the money puck stats back that up as well in terms of on ice, uh, expected goals for like our fourth line finish with a 0.406. They were really allowed. I liked to be a shooter shockingly on that fourth line. He looked good. I don't want to see him there. And I don't think that's where he wants to be. But we needed that balance.

40:16We, we definitely need a balance. And maybe that changes again just because of the middle lines not really doing anything. Um, but, you know, that, that, that on ice, expected goals for is, it was almost as high as the first line. You know, um, definitely ahead of, of the middle two. Um, I thought it was for, for our dry. Jonathan, dry. Uh, less noticeable in the game last night. Um, at least in the, in the right ways. Um, not the, not the best, uh, second game from him. I thought, um, I thought Stemberg looked solid once again. Um, and that's the thing with him is he, he, maybe every now and again will wow you with the play, but it's really just his steadiness out there. Um, you know, defensively and just all around game. Like I thought he's like a middle six player seems like a middle six player. And that's, you know, again, like when you're picking where he picked, where he got picked.

41:21Like that's what I don't want to say it's, it's the best case scenario because the best case scenario is you under the gem. Um, but he got picked around the same slot as Jimmy Snuggaroo and, and a Robert Thomas. And, um, those guys were those gems. Um, but they can't all be, you know, so getting a middle six guy there is still a very, very good return. Um, there's no doubt. Um, so I really like that. Um, but overall, I, I don't have, I can't be too happy about those middle two lines, you know, and it's not. Bucci wasn't killing penalties during, you know, his four minute minor. Um, is that, is that hurts? That hurts. It hurt. It hurt deeply. And obviously they cashed in on both, on both penalties, um, quite cleanly. And it, it very, very much turned the tide of the game. Um, you know, we can go to the off sides call, but at the same time, not getting that goal, you're still up three.

42:27You're still in the drive business. You're still in the driver's seat and, um, and the special teams just couldn't get it done. Um, unfortunately, and that's been, um, you know, part of our Achilles all, all season, you know, we've seen flashes here and there, but it. It was not last night. Um, so on a night like that, that you do kind of need. You're saying in third line to contribute something meaningful and I just, I didn't see it. That's where I'm going. That's, that's where I'm going with this. Um, as good as Kyru played last night and he looked engaged, he looked silky. He looked hungry for goals. He ended up not getting anything. He actually went, ended up going minus one. And frankly, I think it was on the three on three play. Can you get a dash on a three on three? I'm not sure because it's technically even strength. Yeah, I, I think, yeah, I suppose so that must have been it. But it's unfair for me to say it's unfair because that whole line, you know, wasn't that noticeable he was.

43:35We need that goal from him. It can't, it can't be all on the first line. If you get that goal from a second, third or fourth line, it's back breaking for the other team because they're like. They stopped this first line, which we're having a lot of trouble doing. If they get contributions from further down the line up. We're in trouble. And I think Kyru was one of those players that they had trouble with last night. And still, as, as I know that Feldman thinks like, hey, he got the monkey off his back in the last game. He still has one goal, one point since the Olympic break. I'm sorry. That isn't good enough. You can look good, then you can look silky, and you can have shot attempts, but that does not mean a lot if you cannot produce. And that's what I needed to see because we needed him last night to be another difference maker out there on the ice.

44:35And as much as he looked good, he wasn't a difference maker. He didn't make a difference in that game. And in fact, I would argue that last play was really pathetic. I mean, it was really pathetic defending. I know, as soon as I saw that matchup, I was like, Matthew Barzel, that's the matchup he wants. He wants to go downhill on Jordan Kyru. And he was, he ate him up for dinner. But the effort there, where you know, on a right-handed forward, he's going to try and go to the middle. You're one-handed off the stick trying to prevent him from going there is not going to stop shit. It was way too easy. It was way too easy. And I think back to like the Jack Hughes play in the Olympics, where, where Conor McDavid is coming downhill. And all, all Jack Hughes is thinking like, oh, I got to gap up, can't gap up.

45:36He's got too much speed. I just need to knock him off his, knock him off his trajectory. I have to do something to prevent him from getting to the front of the net. And Jack Hughes did it. Kyru has to know in that situation clearly. He does know because he had his stick in the lane. Again, it's not stopping. That's not deterring anyone from trying to get to the middle of the ice. You need to do a lot better. And when the game is on the line, you need to play with a little bit more desperation. And that is my issue. That's also my issue. It would be one thing if Jordan Kyru was a slow skater. I know Matthew Barsall is fast. I'm very sorry. He's fast and he's extremely skilled. But like, so are you, dude, like you're supposed to be on that level, one of the fastest guys in the NHL.

46:36And it just was two laps. It was two laps. Like, I understand not wanting to gap up like too close. But he wasn't, he wasn't close at all. And frankly, once Barsall enters the zone, I mean, you got like a second more. And you know what he's going to do. Like, you know the next action. And there was just really no attempt to kind of like you said, get him off course, for some to the outside so that Joel can, you know, close the angle a little bit. He just let him walk in and beat us. And maybe that's an exaggeration. But you're right. Like, if there was desperation in his defending there, I sure shit didn't see him. And I had a very fucking good view of it. I didn't see desperation. I saw like casual not wanting to make a mistake. And that's, that goes back to not necessarily the Robert Thomas discussion.

47:36But just the idea about the concept of how one thinks about the game. Okay. How he processes the game. And the unfortunate thing is he makes the same money as Robert Thomas. And they are on completely different planets when it comes to processing the game. And reading the situation. Iru has his flashes, right, where he just can completely change the course of a game with his skill. And that's fantastic. Love when it happens. But we're talking like maybe 25% of games. He does that if even. Right. And it's. It's just hard to wrap my head around. And. But it's not at the same time when I think about a St. Louis Blues hockey player. And one that's that's supposed to lead this team. I just don't think at this point it's the right fit. It's not an anger. It's not a hatred. I respect. Is like what he has done.

48:38To get to this point is really. It's really sick. Yeah. It's it's better than most people could hope for being a second round pick. Absolutely. He deserves credit for that. He deserves all the credit in the world. But at this point it's about what do the blues. Need to look like what type of characters do they need in this core. To to take that next step back into contention. And go for that cup. And you and I it feels like we're constantly having that conversation. Is this a guy that you think. We can win a cup with like being one of our best players. And I think the answer is a resounding no. At this point. Yeah. Yes. And that play just like completely summed it up for me. There was no hope. There was no compete. There was there was no. Yeah. No sense of urgency or desperation to try and make a play.

49:38It was entirely too casual for one of the better players in the NHL. Like, yeah, I understand he doesn't want to make a mistake. You know what? I'd rather see you sell out and try and make a play and look dumb compared to what happened. Because you look dumb either way. And and no. He didn't lose us that game. But he didn't do enough to help us win it. At the end of the day. And that I think can't be said for a lot of the other players on the team. Yes, he looked good offensively. Yes, he was making plays defensively over the course of that game. Yes, he was a menace. But that that play kind of sums it up for me where. Barzel got the exact matchup that he wanted. And he was like, I'll let him let him in. Just hey, here's our front door. It's unlocked. It's open. Come right in and steal all of our valuables.

50:40You know, like that's that's just how I felt about it when I saw it. I was just like, yeah, that's that's pathetic defending. So anyway, I don't expect it from him. Like I don't expect him to. Be a tremendous defender. I think we've talked about that odd nauseam. I don't expect him to be in this game. But what I want is the version of Cairo that laid out Alex to bring it in the overtime against the red wings. I want that kind of play. I want that kind of desperation. I want that kind of hustle. And I'm not saying you have to lay out bars all in that situation. But I want that same sense of urgency. I want that desperation because we're pushing right now. And we wanted to win. So I don't think we need to continue beating this dead horse. I don't think we need to be ready to lose this game. We will be ready to throw gas. But I think I think that suffices it to say we needed more in that situation. So, all right. Hatch hours or anything else you you thought about.

51:42The one thing that I will. Joel Hofer did not deserve to lose that game. We needed to get him a win. And that that really sucked. I think that stunk more than anything is we got a tremendous goal tendering effort from him. much of a difference goal tending makes. You see how well we're playing right now, even though yes, we're getting out shot tremendously, but when your goal tenders are the best players on the ice, you got a chance every single night. And that's what we expect from our goal tenders. I think that's what every NHL team expects from their goal tenders. It's unfair as that is, but they are the most important person on the ice. And Joel Hofer right now, I mean, I looked at the fantasy. He's the number one trending goalie on fantasy right now. And he's the number one over the last two weeks. He's an incredible goalie. And I think one that we will have I think will be very happy with for the future. Yeah, you know, it's funny because last game,

52:44that was the shutout, I believe. You know, it kind of been mentioned that like he wasn't even that crazy in that game, you know, didn't didn't really need to be. And actually, the staff threw back that up. He had the same goal saved above the expected last night as he did in the shutout, but he gave up four goals in this one. I think a lot of that danger obviously came in the last half of the game. Yes, yes, you know, there were really in the game early in the game, he we absorbed the pressure and we had to we did. And in the third period, obviously, we had the same similar pressure. But like he was excellent, you know, like a guy gives up four goals and you're you're still saying that he was outstanding in the game. It's, you know, very indicative of of how he really did play. Like it not I couldn't blame him for anything that happened last night.

53:49Because he was making all the saves that, you know, he should have made, but then a lot of saves that he shouldn't have made as well. And he was being athletic and doing his thing, you know, one thing I will say is that there were a couple of moments, you know, I don't know, I don't like to get mad at other fans in the stands. But when I hear them say ignorant shit, it just like really, what did they say? Well, when Hofer came out of the crease, there was, I think it was in the third period where the Islanders had a guy streaking. It would have been icing, but he there was a forward that would have been the first there. And Joel came out of the net to play it. And it was like a very smart play. And obviously the right decision because he would have just let the guy have it. Had he not come out of the net and, you know, just hearing people say,

54:49like, what are you doing? Like doing the gasps and like, oh my gosh, don't do that. He definitely makes a gasp. Yeah, I mean a gasp, but a gasp is fine because like it is nerve racking, but like to me, I was on the opposite end of the ice there. And I didn't really have any doubt that he was going to beat that forward to the pocket just seemed like he tied, he read it and timed it perfectly. You're talking about the time where he plugged it on the wall. He kind of made, he made a move and plugged it on the wall. The forward just kind of buzzed by him. I had no issue with the play. That's probably it. Obviously it was the right decision. You know, so there was that. There was one other time where I think it was also in the third period where Logan was like just trying to link play, you know, and drive towards the net or whatever. And this guy behind me was just like, Logan, you don't have the skill. I feel like are you fucking kidding me? What is

55:58your problem? He doesn't have the skill. Leave him alone. He doesn't have the skill to drive the net after dishing the puck to a teammate and trying to make something happen. Like why are you even saying that that moment? Anyways, I still love all of you. Like we're all police fans together. So yes we are. But let the guy try stuff, you know, he'll learn. Yeah, letting him try stuff has been, you know, making him look a lot better lately. Working. Yeah. I mean, last night wasn't wasn't his best necessarily. As he's been in the recent stretch, but like I still thought that he was trying to make things happen and wasn't making like a ton of mistakes out there. So no, I thought he actually played well for 23 minutes on ice. Yeah, I think that's pretty damn good for a guy who has less than 100 games experience in the NHL. Yeah, who, you know, was being talked about as the worst defenseman in the NHL, you know, just a couple months ago. So I think we're

57:04finding that is not the case. And I am increasingly day after day more comfortable with that trade. Oh, yeah, he looks good. So no issues there. Hot showers. Hot showers. Wow, this is a tough one. I'm going to I'm going to go brain Shen in the first hot shower. Nice. Game winning assist. Game winning assist, you know, it is likely the last time that he'll receive a hot shower in this room. So, you know, it's it's more of a thank you for time served and and being the best captain that he could be despite, you know, the team not necessarily being built in the way that, you know, what if, you know, obviously not God, God must have cuff, you know, it's it's been a struggle in these four years in the regular season. And he was a consummate pro and his love for

58:08this city and, you know, it's appreciated. And I'm glad that he got the ovation that he did get last night. And it was good, you know, for a guy that's not going to go up in the rafters or have a statue like it was really strong. And ultimately, he actually played really well. Yes, he did. He won face offs. He was he was heavy. And he had a lot of looks too. And that they just didn't go in. So yeah, a good place. Thank you, Brad O'Rent. Yes, yes. Totally, you could feel the appreciation. And he looked good last night, definitely giving him the hot shower. But I also want to call out the Islanders organization and the players. You can tell what him joining that team means to every single one of those players. It kind of signified to them like, wow, we we have a former captain

59:12legend in the game. I mean, you know, like, I don't think he's a legend in terms of his play. But he is one of the most well respected captains in the game. And the fact that he chose to join that organization, I think I could feel the appreciation from the TV last night. I could see how much the win meant to them and how much of a role he played in that game on an emotional night for him. You could just see the players rally around him. And I thought that was really special. I thought that was a really cool look for the Islanders team who are trying to make a push and to add a player of his caliber. I think they see him as one of the pieces that can help them get there. So kudos to them. And definitely first shower for for Brad and Shen, probably the last one on this podcast. And you know, it's it's sad. But I'm happy for him. And I'm happy for the Islanders

1:00:13organization to have a guy like him in the room means a lot. And I know I can already feel how much they appreciate it. And if welcome to men, you're you've got such a great person and a great family joining that organization. He's going to make an impact because he makes an impact wherever he goes. Second hot shower, Jake. It's a little harder. It shouldn't be. I know what my gut tells me, but I'm going to go with Theo Lindstein. And first game. First game in the NHL picking up an apple and finishing the night with a plus rating. You know, he didn't try to do too much or anything. And he was just really steady back there. You could see. And you know, I was questioning it, honestly, because I looked at his stats in the HL this year. It didn't sound like it was overly impressive. But I saw a quality

1:01:16defenseman out there that looks like he could be that cool cool as a cucumber type. You know, that's just smart and reads the game well and knows where to be. It's one game. But he I thought he was impressive. You know, for the magnitude of the situation as well. And it being an emotional night and the fact that we won for an arrow and maybe are going to try and push like that was a big game to come into. And he showed really well. So that that that's just another reason to, you know, kind of add to our optimism right now. I love the call out. Um, I thought the the matchup or the pairing with him in Peraco. I thought was a really solid pairing. I really thought that Colton Peraco had a great game last night, especially defensively breaking up plays. I thought he was exceptional last night. But the Olinstein, you know, I don't think you noticed a lot of him. You didn't see him a lot,

1:02:17but we talk about this all the time. Like that's not a horrible thing for defenseman and to end up with a with an assist and a plus on a night where we give up four goals. Like I think that's pretty damn good. Obviously two power play goals, but yeah, he didn't look out of place. I'll say that and I did like the pairing. Um, I think we're going to see more from him. And I think I'm I don't think I'm excited. I'm excited to see what he can do and what he can contribute to this team, especially on the left side of the defense, which we need right now. We need puck moving defenseman who can skate and that's kind of what he is. So I like it. I like the call. I'm I'm giving it to him. He snuggled pretty obvious call three points last night seems like he's getting multi points per game now. Something I hope to expect going forward or something I expect going forward. That's a lot of expectations for a young kid, but from what I've seen, I don't think it's too much to ask. I think he's highly capable of it. And on this line, it's it's it's a

1:03:22cookie night for these guys and the way that they're competing and the way that they've kind of vived off each other. I think we're going to see I think we're going to see something special from this kid down the stretch. I don't think 20 goals is out of reach, but it's certainly very difficult to achieve at this point in the season. And if he can get there, I will be extremely impressed. So yeah, I'm going, Jimmy, number two. I love it. I love it. 20 goals is not out of the question at all. I mean, how many games we have left? Like 18, 17, 18, 18, but you know, 37 goals. It's it's a lot. And we were kind of earmarking him for about a half point per game. I don't think he's he's definitely not far off from that. I think that's I think that's attainable on the line he's playing, especially if Robert Thomas continues to play and is healthy. It's certainly not out of the question. You know, he's he's up to 32 points now. So he just needs nine. He just needs to basically go

1:04:27a half point a game from here to achieve that milestone. And like he wasn't producing in the first half of the season. And now he is. I think it's it's it's it's very there. It's looking good for that. And yes, I am putting him in the third shower with Philip, Robert. Okay. Yeah. It's not just because he scored the goal. Like he just is doing everything. He's playing the heaviest minutes. The most minutes, he is easily our number one defenseman now. And his game is really starting to pick up. And his confidence level is really starting to you just feel it now when he's out there. He wants it. He wants it. He wants to be the guy. And he's playing like it. He's not afraid. And it's starting to really work. And we're starting to get some some often and it's production to match it. But even without that, it's just his demeanor out there. And

1:05:32just everything he's doing for this team right now, being our number one guy when we when we really need it. So Jimmy Snuggard, what more does that say? He's looking like he could be a star, you know, potentially in this league. And you know, he was the guy at, you know, that freshman season called Cooley and Nies. And everybody was like, who's the most underrated player on this team? Jimmy Snuggard, don't sleep on him. This guy is just as good. And maybe he's not a Logan Cooley who does already kind of look like a bona fide star. And even Matthew Nies does as well. But now Jimmy's playing with his own Cooley and Nies in Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway. And the production is now catching up. This is a kid that was a captain in college. An important player for the, for the US junior team. And now we're starting to see the potential

1:06:37that we saw where like this guy, like could just be a bona fide first line player for this team. Right now, I don't, it doesn't look like anything other than that. And that's huge for this team. No, I think, I think he could be our new Terra Senko. I really believe that based on what I'm seeing from him. I mean, you look at Terra Senko's kind of his rookie sophomore seasons. He only played 38 and 64 games, but he had 19 points in his first season and 38 games in his second season, 43 and 64, really, really good. But 21 goals, 22 assists. Jimmy's not far off. You know, I know he spent some time on the injury list this year. I could see it. I don't think that's a stretch, Jake, do you? Not at all, dude. I think he's going to be better, frankly. Like maybe he doesn't have the 39-40

1:07:39goals season, you know. But like, Vlad, I mean, what he did that once, I think. I mean, you know, he was he was consistently in the 30s, obviously. But Jimmy has tools that I think that Tanksho didn't have, particularly at this age. I mean, this guy is already one of our best passers. We weren't saying that about Terra Senko at this point in his career. It's the forecheck. It's the winning the puck battles. Like he's already showing that he's a five-tool player, you know, in hockey that is. He's five-tool. Like he's got it all in the shot is the most exciting one, but it's not the only one. So I really see a path here where we could have something even greater than Vladimir Terra Senko. Wow. Okay. I mean, I know we're we're biased and we're homers and we we really value our guys, but I see it too. And that's what I think is the

1:08:46the mistake or the the folly of going through a rebuild. You see how quickly things can tarnish your brand in St. Louis. Like the cardinals we thought were infallible, right? Like that was an impenetrable brand that was always going to be an attractive place for for players to come play. It happens quickly where, you know, you all of a sudden become pretty irrelevant in a historic sport and you're a historic franchise. That's the risk you run. And when you have a guy like Jimmy Snuggler, Robert Thomas, Dylan Holloway, Broberg, I think you owe it to those guys to try. And and and give them every chance to succeed in this organization as you can. My third hot shower is going to Joel Ho for I think it's pretty obvious. We've talked about him 940 939 save percentage really kept us in it for the large majority of the game the whole game

1:09:51really up until the end, but he was fantastic last night by every measure that you could possibly stack him up against. He was incredible last night. I feel so confident when he's in net. I feel confident when Jordan Bennington's in net as well right now. But Joel Ho for it's a hot hand. And he's one of the best goalies in the league right now. So I think he's getting his flowers. He was getting his pump his tires pumped by the by Tuka Rask last night on TNT. It's it's just great to see him getting the recognition. So that's what I got man. Anything else before we wrap up? I got to give because I like the Islanders organization a lot and and love their class. You know as you alluded to earlier and I you know could see it during the the the Shen tribute. I do want to give an honorable mention to Cal Richie like because what a trade that was

1:10:52Brock Nelson is that was a hell of a player and like way better than I thought he was going to be early on in his career. He turned out to be really good. But you go and you flip the tender. He's not going to sign a long term deal. You flip them the Colorado for their best prospect. And I knew he was a good highly regarded prospect. But he he destroyed us last night. And he was really really impressive. That was a very very smart move by that organization. And you can see you can see what they're building there. And I just got a lot of respect for them. Don't they have some Russian or is that shabby enough? No, I think he played in the game last night. No, he did. But don't they have another Russian coming up? Oh, pretty good. The islanders? Yeah. That I'm not I'm not 100% sure about maybe it's

1:11:54maximum. I saw the last night. It was he was okay. They had those you know two other first round picks from last year. The Atchison and an Eglend. I mean those dudes aren't aren't even there yet. Like they're doing a good job of of retooling this franchise. And frankly, it's it looks like it could already be over when you when you got guys like Matthew Schaeffer and Calvary. She coming in and a lot easier. You get it. It certainly does franchise player. Yes. Anyways, just wanted to shout him out because we haven't used his name. But he was a destroyer last night. Yeah. Yeah. No, it's a good call out. All right. Well, we've got let's see. Who do we got? Carolina. Big game tomorrow night. Holy shit. There a good team didn't do anything. Didn't do anything at the trade deadline so much shockingly, frankly. And in a season where

1:12:55Florida looks beatable and the east is open. It's tight, but it's open. You should make a decent run. I thought they were going to do a little bit more. But with the way that our team is looking right now, I like our chances to compete. So let's see what happens. I'm looking forward to it. Thank you, Olympia Cababhouse. Thank you to our listeners. This has been noted.