Oshie named NHL's First Star of the Week

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Former Fighting Sioux forward T.J. Oshie was named the NHL's first star of the week. Oshie had one heck of a week last week, including a hat trick against the San Jose Sharks.

FIRST STAR – T.J. OSHIE, RW, ST. LOUIS BLUES
Oshie paced all players with five goals and shared the League lead with seven points to power the Blues (23-13-3, 49 points) to two wins in four starts. He collected one assist in a 3-0 triumph over the Colorado Avalanche Dec. 29. Oshie then found the back of the net in a pair of losses – a 3-2 defeat to the Nashville Predators Dec. 30 and a 4-3 decision to the Anaheim Ducks Jan. 2. He capped the week by registering his second career hat trick (also March 27, 2014 vs. MIN) and second career four-point performance (also Nov. 14, 2013 vs. COL: 0-4—4), notching 3-1—4 in a 7-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks Jan. 3. He also potted his 19th career game-winning marker (third this season) and eclipsed 100 NHL goals (101-174—275 in 402 GP) in that contest. The 28-year-old Everett, Wash., native has compiled 10-10—20 in 31 outings this season, including 5-3—8 during a five-game point streak. (NHL.COM)

Mats Zuccarello vs T.J. Oshie

According to Hockey Fights, Former Fighting Sioux forward T.J. Oshie has been in three NHL fights. In his fight with Mats Zuccarello, Oshie held his own.

St. Louis Blues re-sign Agitator Steve Ott

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Minnesota Wild fans, you can breath a sigh of relief, Steve Ott was re-signed by the St. Louis Blues. According to Michael Russo,  the Minnesota Wild were interesting in signing the agitator to a free agent deal. This is one player I am glad that the Wild didn't sign.

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the club has re-signed forward Steve Ott to a two-year contract.

Ott, 31, joined the Blues via trade from Buffalo last season on Feb. 28 and went on to post three assists and 37 penalty minutes in 23 regular season games, as well as two assists and 14 penalty minutes in six postseason appearances.

Prior to his acquisition, Ott produced 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) and 55 penalty minutes in 59 regular season games as Buffalo’s captain in 2013-14.

The 6-foot, 189-pound forward is a veteran of 11 NHL seasons, including stints with Dallas, Buffalo and St. Louis.

Paul Stastny gives St. Louis Blues depth

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One of my fellow writers from the Hockey Writers has an interesting piece on the St. Louis Blues signing former Denver Pioneer Paul Stastny. With the signing, the Blues have added some great depth to their lineup.

Jeff Ponder, KSDK Sports -- Not only has this signing allowed the Blues to appear more menacing on paper, it also provides head coach Ken Hitchcock more wiggle room in developing lines. David Backes, who scored his career-high 31 goals and 62 points while playing on right wing (2010-11), now has the option to move back to his natural position.

"I see a scenario where Paul plays with [Alexander] Steen and Backes," GM Doug Armstrong said on Tuesday. "That gives us quite a bit of strength on the wing, [and] the size with Backes. And then you have [Patrik] Berglund with [Vladimir] Sobotka and maybe [T.J.] Oshie as another line. [Jori] Lehtera has a history with [Vladimir] Tarasenko from the KHL."

Without taking a second look, you can see this lineup will threaten more often than what the team rolled out at the beginning of last season.

This past season, the Western Conference was a death march. The west is going to be even tougher this season, with the moves that have been made in the offseason.

Should the Blues Trade T.J. Oshie?

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One of my fellow writers from the Hockey Writers has suggested that the Blues trade former Fighting Sioux forward T.J. Oshie, while his stock is high. I would say no, unless it's going to be to the Wild or Bruins, but that's just me...

David Lipscomb, The Hockey Writers -- As the Blues have repeatedly shown in playoffs past, their failure to score the big goal and compensate for lineup holes was never more evident than in the 2013 playoffs versus the Chicago Blackhawks. If only the shootout was a factor in the postseason, Oshie might have had a bigger impact. However, there are teams (New Jersey Devils, I’m looking at you) that couldn’t crack the final eight due to shootout ineptitude, squandering valuable loser points. For them, the idea of gaining an asset like Oshie would help mitigate the PR and ticket sale backlash associated with missing the playoffs, while helping them potentially gain entry into a tournament where — especially in the East — almost anyone has a chance at a Finals run.

By now many Blues fans have already clicked off the page, enraged at the thought of selling off the youthful face of the franchise and breaking the hearts of South St. Louis girls everywhere. But consider this for a moment: would two solid forwards — picking on the Devils once again — Henrique and perhaps a veteran like Danius Zubrus — not help this team begin to overcome their postseason woes? Does anyone think Oshie’s stock and perception will ever be higher than it is now? What do you think the Devils would pay to make the playoffs and allow the chips to fall where they may? After coming within two wins of the Cup in 2012, they may think they’re on the precipice of being a real postseason threat in the East. Given the seemingly random nature of the teams that emerge from the East, they may be right.

Vote for T.J. Oshie in the TSN Play of the Year

You can vote for former Fighting Sioux and current St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie against Philadelphia Flyer forward Claude Giroux for TSN's Play of the Year. Here's the link for voting.

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Hawks Take Series in Six

When the first round playoff match-ups were finally set, I knew right away that the Blackhawks and Blues series would be the best one in the first round. The teams didn't disappoint.

Game one and two opened up in St. Louis, and the fans were treated to two exciting Blues wins. It didn't get much better than game one either. In a game that would go back and forth, the fans would get their money's worth as the game would end very early into the third overtime. Alexander Steen would be the game one hero, but this game would set the pace for this exciting series.

Then came the controversy in game two. St. Louis Blues captain David Backes (Spring Lake Park, MN/ Minnesota State Mankato) would take an elbow to the head from Blackhawk defender Brent Seabrook, knocking him out for the rest of game two, along with games three and four. Seabrook wold get a three game suspension for the hit, but left both fan bases with a sour taste in their mouths. St. Louis would now be down their captain, and Chicago is out of their top defenseman.

Chicago just kept pushing forward, even though they were down 2-0 in the series, but now had the advantage of being back in the Madhouse on Madison. With Chicago looking to get into the win column, and would do that via a Corey Crawford shutout. Captain Jonathan Toews would net the game's first goal, and the game winner, just 4:10 into the first period, and the game would become a very grinding defensive battle. Marcus Kruger would get the insurance empty netter to seal the 2-0 victory

Overtime would be needed once again in game four, in another contest that could have gone either way. The Blackhawks scored the first two in the contest, Andrew Shaw and Patrick Kane, but the Blues would push back and score three unanswered and Vladimir Tarasenko putting the Blues ahead 3-2 with about 7:30 left in regulation. However, the Chicago never say die attitude kicked in, and would get a few good looks at goalie Ryan Miller before Bryan Bickell would tie the game with just under four minutes to play, and the roof went off at the Madhouse. They now had the crowd on their side going into overtime and used it to their advantage. Half way through the first overtime, Patrick Kane and Ben Smith would have a rush up the ice int the offensive zone with Patrick Kane taking the puck up the left wing. Smith would charge the net, drawing the defenders off of Kane so he could take the shot, and he buried it for the winner in another very exciting game in the series that is now tied and headed back to St. Louis.

The story line for game five would be the return for Blues captain David Backes after missing the previous two games due to injury after the Seabrook elbow. Probably not playing at 100%, just having the presence of your captain in your line up can be enough to spark a locker room. That's exactly what the Blues needed after losing two straight in Chicago. Once again, this game would take overtime to find a winner in this very tightly battled series. Once again, the Blackhawks would look at their captain to come in clutch in overtime. Toews would get sprung on a breakaway and would slide the puck behind Miller to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 series lead, and put them in complete control going into game six.

Today's game was just straight up Chicago Blackhawks domination once the third period came around. Bryan Bickell and TJ Oshie would exchange goals in the first and that's the score that would hold up until very early in the third period. The Blues completely outplayed the Blackhawks in the second, but most of that was due to the Hawks penalty box door being open the whole period, but couldn't find a way to put the puck behind Crawford. At the end of the second, the Blackhawks would finally get their first power play opportunity, which would carry over to the start of the third. Just 44 seconds into the final frame, who else, but Jonathan Toews would light the lamp and put the Hawks up 2-1. There was no looking back from there. Chicago would rattle of three more goals off of the sticks of Patrick Sharp, Andrew Shaw, and Duncan Keith, to solidify a 5-1 game six victory and a 4-2 series win.

If I got anything out of this series, is that the Blackhawks have their playoff form from last year. This team is dangerous and has all of the tools for a repeat. The Hawks can sit back and relax for a short time and see whether they draw the Wild or Avalanche in round two.

As for the Blues, a lot of people thought that this was a team that could go deep into the playoffs this year, especially after how strong they were in the regular season, and in games one and two. However, late season injuries, and a semi struggling Ryan Miller cost the Blues and sent them home to the golf course earlier then they would have liked.

Overall, this was a very exciting, physical, fast, and skillful series to watch and will be one that is talked about for years to come. A bounce here or there, and St. Louis could be headed to round two, or at least to game seven back home in their barn.

Is history repeating it's self for the St. Louis Blues?

Someone put this picture up on the Hockey Writers Facebook group. If you're a St. Louis Blues fan, you might be a bit worried.

(Video) T.J. Oshie scores from his knees

Check out this goal from St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie, he scores falling forward. Oshie's goal tied the score at 1-1. Check out the huge check that Ryan Reeves puts on Jonathan Toews prior to the goal.

(video) Patrick Sharp hammers Maxim Lapierre

Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp hammers St. Louis Blues puke Maxim Lapierre. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.  There's been a lot of hard hitting in this series..

Blackhawks player to Backes "wakey, wakey"

s/t to Kukla's Korner. At about the 45 second mark of the video, you can hear an unidentified Blackhawks player say "wakey, wakey." That's low class and bushleague. I didn't catch the comments the first around. Oh boy, this series could get really nasty.

Shocker. Listen closely during this video and you can hear a Hawks player saying "wakey, wakey" to Backes https://t.co/h6ZwNssD3k #stlblues
— Norm Sanders (@NormSanders) April 20, 2014

Blackhawks vs. Blues: This Rivalry Never Gets Old

Tomorrow is going to probably be the most exciting day in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a long time. You have all four games being big time rivalry games. However, I think most eyes will be on the battle of Central Division rivals in Chicago and St. Louis.

Chicago, the more offensively flavored team, looks to keep this a high flying, wide open style of game to highlight their great offensive talents. With both Toews and Kane returning for game one, although they say they are 100% who knows if they really are, that just adds that extra offensive flair and swagger Chicago needs to skate around a struggling Blues team.

As for the Blues, they did not end their regular season they way they would have probably wanted. Losing five out of their last seven games, getting beaten and battered with the injury bug, the Blues are going into the playoffs with virtually no momentum what so ever. That being said, Oshie and captain Backes are returning tomorrow night for game one, but like with Toews and Kane, who knows if they are actually at 100%. I guess we will have to see how aggressive they play tomorrow.

To beat the Blackhawks, St. Louis is going to have to keep these games low scoring and be very physical like they love to be. This series is going to remind me a lot of the UND Gopher game from the Frozen Four this year, if it were a seven game series. Every single game will be played with a lot of speed and a lot of physicality.

As for who is going to win this series? If these games turn into high scoring style of game I would have to give the advantage to the Blackhawks. It's just their style of game, but have proven to have a little physicality as well with players like Bickell, Bolig, and Shaw. That being said, St. Louis needs to use their physicality to slow down the game and keep the Hawks off the board.

I picked Chicago to win this series because the Blues are coming in with absolutely no momentum and a struggling Ryan Miller. The series is competitive, but the Blues wont be able to finish off the series.

Brian Elliot robs Mikael Granlund (GIF)

What a save by former Wisconsin Badgers and current St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliot as he absolutely robs Minnesota Wild forward Mikael Granlund  Difference in the game, maybe. The Wild would lose in a shootout as T.J. Oshie got the game winning shootout goal.

T.J. Oshie does his best pretzel imitation

Hey @Hartsy19 is this good enough to hashtag OshieDown? Don't try this at home... pic.twitter.com/PkymD6gwy9
— TJ Oshie (@OSH74) November 10, 2013

This was on T.J. Oshie's Twitter feed and I am not sure what happened here. The former UND forward is having a pretty good season and has scored (2g-10a—12pts) in 15 games.

Maxim Lapierre Suspended For Five Games

In my opinion, this suspension isn't long enough. I would have liked to have seen Maxim Lapierre get a longer suspension. When are the players going to learn, you can't make these hits? Someone is going to get killed on the ice.

Related articles

• Blues Rat Maxim Lapierre suspended indefinitely for dirty hit on Dan Boyle (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

(Video) Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk blows up Andrew Shaw

Talk about a violent hit as St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk blows up Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw with a good clean hit. There was no penalty on the hit, nor should there have been. The game during the first period was a very physical and hard hitting game.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs - Goon's Predictions

Who do you like to win Lord Stanley's Cup? I am taking the Boston Bruins to repeat as the Champs? What do you think? Who is your pick to win it all?

Western Division

1 Vancouver Canucks vs. 8. L.A. Kings – 1 Vancouver Canucks

2 St. Louis Blues  vs. 7 SJ Sharks – 2 St Louis Blues

3 Phoenix Coyotes vs. 6 Chicago Blackhawks – 6 Chicago Blackhawks 

4 Nashville Predators vs. 5 Detroit Redwings – 5 Detroit Redwings 

Conference Semis

1 Vancouver Canucks vs. 6 Chicago Blackhawks – Vancouver Canucks

2 St Louis Blues vs. 5 Detroit Redwings – St Louis Blues

Western Conference Finals

Vancouver Canucks vs. St Louis Blues – St Louis Blues.

Eastern Division

1 New York Rangers vs. 8 Ottawa Senators – 1 New York Rangers

2 Boston Bruins vs. 7 Washington Capitals – 2 Boston Bruins

3 Florida Panthers vs. 6 New Jersey Devils – 6 New Jersey Devils

4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5 Philadelphia Flyers – 4 Pittsburg Penguins

Conference Semi Finals

1 New York Rangers vs. 6 New Jersey Devils – New York Rangers

2 Boston Bruins vs. 4 Pittsburg Penguins – Boston Bruins

Conference Finals

1 New York Rangers vs. 2 Boston Bruins – Boston Bruins

Stanley Cup Finals

St Louis Blues vs. Boston Bruins – Boston Bruins

Former Sioux T.J. Oshie and St Louis Blues agree on contract extension

Image via WikipediaFormer Fighting Sioux forward T.J. Oshie has agreed to a one year deal with the St Louis Blues. T.J. Oshie would have been a restricted free agent if he had not signed a contract extension. Last season Oshie (12g-22a-34pts) missed 31 games with an ankle injury.

St Louis Today --- the Blues have agreed to a one-year contract extension.

The deal will pay Oshie $2.35 million for the 2011-12 season.

"We're excited to have T.J. in the fold for another season," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said in a statement. "His energy and versatility make him an integral part of our club."

By agreeing to the deal today, Oshie will not become a restricted free agent tomorrow at 11 a.m., avoiding the possibility of the forward receiving an offer sheet from other teams.

In April, Oshie wrapped up his third season with the Blues, in which he has 44 goals and 121 points in 182 games. Last year, while missing 31 games because of a broken ankle, Oshie totaled 12 goals and 34 points in 49 games and had a plus-minus rating of plus-10.

Blues forward T.J. Oshie to donate both pay checks to charities.



picture by zimbo.com

 I think it’s a nice touch for a hockey player that has had a rough week. Seriously, I don’t know why T.J. Oshie missed practice nor do I really care. Oshie made a mistake and paid for it by missing two games due to a suspension, manning up to his mistake he donated the money he was supposed to make to a St. Louis Blues Charity.

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- T.J. Oshie ended a two-game suspension Thursday, apologizing to his St. Louis Blues teammates, the organization and its fans for missing a practice.

Oshie was back on the ice at the team's practice facility after being disciplined by the team for missing a workout Monday in what the Blues called an unexcused absence.

"I was irresponsible. I made a mistake," Oshie said in his first public comments. "I realize that. It was my full responsibility to get here (on Monday) and get here on time."

The 24-year-old center met with Blues general manager Doug Armstrong, coach Davis Payne and his teammates Thursday morning, and will be in the lineup when the Blues host the Calgary Flames on Friday night.

"The toughest thing for me was sitting at home and watching my teammates play a game," said Oshie, who also missed 31 games this season with a broken ankle. "... This morning was the first time I've seen them and I had a smile on my face. From here on out, I'm trying to move forward."

Oshie missed Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss at home against Minnesota and Wednesday night's 10-3 victory in Detroit.

"We're very comfortable that (Oshie) understands the severity of missing practice," Armstrong said. "He accepts his two-game absence from the team. We've moved on and T.J.'s ready to move on and we'll have him back in the lineup tomorrow.

Oshie was paid for the two games he missed, but he has decided to donate both checks, one to the Blues' 14 Fund and the other to Dream Factory of St. Louis, a pair of charities run by the franchise.

"I want to let people know I did get paid for the two games that I missed," Oshie said. "I don't think that that's right."

Erik Johnson scores on his own net.

If you haven't seen this video, former Golden Gophers defenseman Erik Johnson scores on his own net trying to clear the puck out of the front of the St Louis net.