Finally, we're a little bit removed from the end of the sweep by the Los Angeles Kings. And seeing them rush out to a 2-0 series lead against the Phoenix Coyotes, I'm starting to not feel so bad.

Maybe the Kings are who everyone thought they were in September. Maybe they just needed a new coach with no personality who looks like he has permanent bitter beer face. All I'm trying to say is the Kings are really good and obviously deserved to win that series.

Still, it stings. Expectations are a fluid thing. At the beginning of the year, I think most fans would have been happy with a feisty team making the playoffs. When they fired Davis Payne, just making the playoffs seemed like a distant goal. And then the players starting drinking the Ken Hitchcock Kool-Aid and suddenly things changed. The Blues climbed the standings, they jumped over Chicago and Nashville and Detroit. They held the top spot in the West for awhile. They were in the President's Trophy running until the final weekend of the season.

Unequivocally, the regular season was a success. Give them an A. They were the best defensive team in the league. Special teams got to be pretty good. They became an opportunistic team with the best goaltender tandem in the league. I think the number of penalties they took during the year should have been a foreshadowing of what could go wrong in the playoffs, something that helped sink the ship against the Kings. They had some balanced scoring, but not an overabundance of scoring. But think about a year ago at this time. No playoffs. Think about two years ago at this time. No playoffs. Even three years ago at this time, the Blues had made the playoffs and then ended up being the first team eliminated with four straight losses to Vancouver. That sounds like progress. But was it enough?

If you look at the cogs on this team, they all saw many things they've never seen before. Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk now know what it's like to help take over a playoff game, control the flow, shake hands as the victor and then become the targets of heat-seeking missiles wearing the other team's jersey. T.J. Oshie had his best professional season. That was not his best series against L.A. David Backes has a year as captain under his belt. David Perron knows he can still play in this league. Andy McDonald knows he can still be a game changer much less a series changer. Patrik Berglund took two steps back in the regular season, rode McDonald's coattails in the first round and then struggled again in the second round. Chris Stewart needs to find himself.

Then there's the curious case of Brian Elliott struggling against the Kings and Jaroslav Halak looking like a passenger and then a vital player when he wasn't available. Lots of twists and turns in this season.

Ken Hitchcock is teaching this group of players how to win. He melded together a squad that couldn't get the job done a year ago into a team that went into the second round as the favorites to win the Cup according to Vegas odds makers (oops). And for all the good things that happened this season, it still sucks that it ended how it did with a sweep.

You know the movie the Matrix where Cypher is back on the ship and wants to give Morpheus and the gang up to the machines and he answers the phone when Trinity calls. And he says all he has to do is pull the plug, but she has to watch Switch die. And with that realization, Switch, standing over a fallen comrade, looks up at the camera and says. "Not like this." And then she falls over lifeless. I was prepared for the Blues to lose in the playoffs. I wasn't prepared for them to be humbled and broken and swept by the Kings. Not like this indeed.

Making the second round of the playoffs, that's an A. Getting swept takes some points away. Playoff grade...B-. Harsh, but like I said, expectations are fluid.

How about you? Do the Blues deserve one overall grade? One for the regular season and one for the playoffs? What letter would you give them?

With a press conference set at 11 a.m. today to introduce new controlling owner Tom Stillman and his group of investors, we draw a close to the ownership of Dave Checketts. What started out with the promise of a Blues revolution ended with a quiet exit stage left in the midst of cash flow problems and a litany of failed promises to fix the ownership situation.

When Checketts arrived on the scene in 2006, the team was in shambles, finishing last in the league and earning the No. 1 pick in the draft. There were a few aged stars left, but the roster was filled with cheap stop-gaps and journeymen. Crowds had dwindled at or below 10,000 a game in an arena that seats 19,150. Checketts represented tangible hope.

He had been successful in running professional sports franchises in New York. He seemed connected. He made all the right statements about committing to the St. Louis area and giving back to the community and wanting to give the fans a team we could be proud of. He immediately brought in John Davidson, a well-known and well-liked hockey guy. They made a splash by signing a hopefully defensive stalwart in Jay McKee. This Eric Brewer kid might work out. Some young guys were given a chance to improve. They fired Mike Kitchen. The next summer they signed Paul Kariya. They focused on the draft, made trades at the deadline and tried to get younger and better (the Brad Boyes trade comes to mind). But money problems were always in the background.

The biggest mistake Checketts made early on was raising ticket prices that first season. It didn't help him start on the right foot with fans and hurt attendance. Later he said the league forced his hand and made him raise prices. The next year, he tried to lower as many of the cheaper seats as possible. That, in retrospect was a bad move. It sent a message that Blues tickets would only be in a certain range and fans would only pay X amount of dollars. That becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Revenue not rising faster would handcuff the team.

Just two summers in, the team had to sell off the rights to concession stands for $10 million to cover a balloon payment on the loan Checketts had to get to pay for the team. That loan coming due last year forced Checketts to sell all of the team. He had tried just selling the majority shares that had been held by an investment firm, but he couldn't find anyone willing to put up millions of dollars while not calling the shots. When the loan was almost due, he had to sell all of the team.

When the Blues made the 2009 playoffs, we all thought the team had turned the corner. A bunch of injured guys were coming back that hadn't contributed to that season. Guys like Erik Johnson and Eric Brewer and a healthy Paul Kariya were going to take the team to the next level. It was a convenient excuse to not spend money in free agency or by trading picks or prospects. The reality was that the money was running out. At the end of last season, the Blues were less than $1 million above the salary floor. This past summer, the front office made one more play by signing Jamie Langenbrunner and Jason Arnott to one-year deals. While those worked incredibly well, they were safe moves for a new owner coming in who might want to shrink the payroll. Hopefully that's not the case.

The worst thing Checketts did (other than not having enough of his own money) was making empty promises on progress for stabilizing the ownership situation. Two years of deadlines come and deadlines gone led to a lot of confusion surrounding the sale. Last year it seemed it would never happen. But here we are today, saying goodbye to Checketts and hello to Stillman.

I don't have any hard feelings. It seems like the franchise has made progress despite the uncertainty. General manager Doug Armstrong sure seems like he knows what he's doing. Ken Hitchcock sure seems like the right guy for the job. This team had a chance to go deep in the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Better days are hopefully still ahead.

So in the end, Checketts helped put the Blues back on the map. He didn't have the resources to get the team over the hump, but few owners in their history have. When Checketts signed on as owner, the salary cap was below where the salary floor is now. No one could have predicted that. Even with the money issues, the roster, front office and entire organization seem stronger today than they were six years ago. For that, Mr. Checketts we thank you.

If you had to give Checketts a letter grade, what would you give him?

I had my guard up. I wasn't going to let it happen to me again. These St. Louis Blues were not going to contend for a title this year.

We knew that last summer, we knew it in October when they got off to a slow start, we knew it when Davis Payne was fired. And then the fat man showed up. The Blues fell under the spell of a fat shaman named Ken Hitchcock and sudenly...they sure seemed a lot like contenders. They spent much of the season near the top of the standings. They competed for the President's Trophy up until the last weekend. Still, I kept my guard up.

Sure, my wife and I got a playoff ticket package. Because we like playoff games, not that we thought there would be a ton of games to attend and we wanted seats for the third and fourth round.

And then the Blues took down the Sharks in five games. And the Canucks were eliminated. And the Red Wings were sent packing. And the Blackhawks lost. Suddenly, the Blues were seemingly the best team left in the power conference.

And I fell for it. Dammit. Why not the St. Louis Blues? Because, apparently. Just because.

What has happened feels like a lonely dude wattching late night cable TV alone. And then a 1-900 number commercial pops up with a bunch of hot chicks saying they want to talk to him. And you can see those commercials 10 times. And something happens each time. Maybe they do want to talk to him. Maybe they are waiting for his call. And he calls. And it sucks. And it's disappointing. And it's expensive. If the Blues fold up shop today with a four-game sweep at the hands of the Kings, the Blues are a 1-900 number. A tease. A mirage on television.

No, I haven't given up. No, I don't think it's quite over. But we're damn close.

There are a few changes today. Ryan Reaves is rumored to be in for B.J. Crombeen. And the Carlo Colaiacovo era may be at an end with his benching in favor of Ian Cole. I'm not ready for the season to end. I hope the Blues aren't either. This is your game day thread. Comment like there might not be another Blues game until Cotober.

Before Game 4 of the second round, and possibly the last game of the season, we thought we would bring in someone to give the St. Louis Blues some inspiration. And as a special treat, we let you inside the dressing room to hear the words for yourself. Before tonight's playoff game, we've asked someone from the underground city of Zion to say a few words.

This is it. You all know me, so I'm going to say this as simple as I can. If it's our time to die, it's our time. All I ask is, if we have to give these bastards our lives, we give 'em hell before we do!

Wait. Wait. WAIT. That was not what we were looking for. Anyone else got anything to say?

Random voice: We are undone, undone I tell you. The Kings are everywhere. This battle is over.

David Backes: This battle is over when I say it's over.

T.J. Oshie: Why's he dressed like a gladiator?

Barret Jackman: Actually, he's a Spartan king. Just go with it.

RV: I'm warning you, the Staples Center will flow with our blood tonight.

DB: BLUES! Prepare for glory!

RV: Glory? Have you gone mad? There is no glory. Only retreat or surrender.

DB: Blues NEVER retreat. Blues NEVER surrender. You, go spread the word around Los Angeles. And let them search the truth in their hearts.

(random voice leaves the room)

DB: Blues, gather around. No retreat, no surrender. That is Blues law. And by Blues law we will stand and fight. A new age has begun. An age of the Blues being Stanley Cup contenders! And all will know that 19 Blues gave their lives to defend it!

It's now midnight, just a few minutes after the Blues got off to a slow start, Brian Elliott sure appeared to come apart at the seems and the Kings moved firmly into position to step on the Blues' throats with a 4-2 dominating win in Los Angeles. Hope is a hard commodity to find right now.

And here we are with two days off, waiting for the ax to fall and mercifully end this series, this domination. Who would have thought the man in black holding the ax would be Dustin Brown. That guy has been part of almost every highlight for the Kings and created many of the lowlights for the Blues.

Quite simply, it will take a miracle for the Blues to win this playoff series and advance. So let's focus on something small. How about winning a damn game? Now I can relate to folks who think the best thing to happen would be a sweep, get it over with quickly. Ripping the bandage off quickly is often the best approach. But I'm not ready. I want more hockey. So I give you my

Top 11 Reasons I want To See Game 5 Of Blues And Kings

11. We didn't get a chance to say goodbye to this hockey team. They gave us some tremendous surprises and 30 home wins. I'd like one more time to stand and applaud for their work since October. Even if it's tainted with disappointment. Again. Let's move on.

10. Those $8 beers taste so much better in May. So I'm told.

9. A few more nights knowing I'm watching my team play hockey and fans in Detroit and Chicago are watching my team play hockey is always a good thing no matter what. And don't let them lie. They are watching. And waiting to pounce when this series ends.

8. This team deserves better than a sweep. They allowed the fewest goals against all season. They challenged for the President's Trophy up to the final weekend. They won the division. A sweep is a bad ending to all that. The other side of the coin: They've played so poorly in just this series, they deserve to get swept.

7. I want Brian Elliott to win a game in this series. I became uncomfortable for him, watching his implosion in L.A. on Thursday. He was suddenly the star in his own "Wanna get away?" Southwest Airlines commercial. Didn't enjoy that at all. No hate for the man. Don't want to pity him either. I'd like to see him turn in a stellar performance on Sunday.

6. I don't want Ken Hitchcock to have a heart attack Sunday afternoon.

5. I want to say goodbye to my hockey friends. Through this weird endeavor we've met so many cool people. Going to game days is all about seeing familiar faces. I won't see them until October. I'd like to wish them a nice summer.

4. I want the Blues to stand up, push the Kings back and show the heart and determination they've played with all season. This was not a soft team all year. This was not a team that got intimidated and let the other team dictate the pace and style of play. They did it to the opposition. Now it's being done to them.

3. I don't want to see them give up Sunday. Nope. Don't want to see it. You can say they gave up on Monday. They seemed like they got down but kept battling Thursday. But I don't think they've totally given up. At least I hope not. DON'T GIVE UP.

2. Did I mention beer?

1. I want at least one more paper to write. We put the book we sell outside games together 41 times a year when it "doesn't matter" and then get to do it just a handful of times when it really does. One more opportunity to sit down and challenge ourselves to make the best paper we can for the playoffs is a cool opportunity I want to do at least one more time this season. That's selfish. But it would also mean the Blues win at least one game this series. Hooray for minor, minor victories.

***

How about you? Do you want the season to come back to St. Louis on Tuesday? You content to let the season slip away on a sunny Sunday afternoon? Talk about it in the comments.

The first period will be the barometer tonight at Staples Center for the St. Louis Blues.

After being humiliated at home in Game 2 and allowing four first-period goals, we need to see how the Blues are going to handle the 2-0 series deficit. Only once in franchise history have the Blues come back from a 2-0 deficit. If you're looking for unbridled enthusiasm, you might be in the wrong place. We haven't written the Blues off yet, but tonight is huge.

Welcome back Alex Pietrangelo. He's healed to at least a level where he thinks he can at least play tonight. His absence on Monday was glaring. It put guys in positions they weren't comfortable in, it hampered them defensively and with moving the puck. No. 27, your teammates need you. We need you.

Also, welcome back...Chris Stewart? Apparently Jason Arnott is hurt. So Stewart "earns" his way back into the lineup. Play hard, sir. Play hard.

I would think Brian Elliott is starting in net. Haven't seen anything official, but I would be he gets the nod.

No other lineup changes. I don't give a shit who is suiting up for the Kings. It doesn't matter, frankly. This game tonight is all about the Blues figuring out how to control the tempo and play their game. If they do that, they have a helluva shot at winning. If they don't, well I hope you didn't get your hopes up about using those Game 5 tickets you bought today.

This is your game day thread. Comment like Brett Hull is watching. You never know, he might be.

Today kind of feels like Judgment Day for the St. Louis Blues.

No matter the result of tonight's game, the Blues will still be alive in the second round of the NHL playoffs. But we'll have a pretty good idea of their chances of staying alive much longer. The difference between being down 2-1 vs. 3-0 seems about as wide as the drive between St. Louis and Los Angeles.

So while I'm not in a panic yet about the state of the Blues, I can understand if you are. And I can also understand if you're an eternal optimist and think this series is just getting started. Let me lay each case out and see where you fall.

The Sky Is Falling

The Kings have dominated the Blues the first two games of this series. Game 2 was possibly the worst game the team has played all season, especially considering the circumstances and they're generally strong play at home all year. Jaroslav Halak is out for the series, so no momentum change in net -- a common move this season. The team's best players, including David Backes, T.J. Oshie and David Perron, haven't played well at all. Alex Pietrangelo might not play. If he does, he probably won't be 100 percent. The power play went 0-9 in Game 2. And yet tickets for games 5 and 7 go on sale TODAY. St. Louis Blues, you are angering the hockey Gods! I'm going to find a cave to miss the fire and brimstone that will surely fall from the heavens at any moment.

This Series Is Going Six Or Seven Games

Have you seen the Blues play this poorly for any extended period of time under Ken Hitchcock? So what makes you think that's going to happen now, in the playoffs? And Backes, Oshie and Perron are due. And have you seen Andy McDonald and Patrik Berglund playing? They are still performing. A few more guys step it up and the offense will be clicking. Elliott won't allow four goals the next two games. Have you seen how streaky the Kings' offense has been this season? And the Blues haven't played their best game yet. That's actually a good sign. They showed some real positive signs in the second and third periods. I think they come out tonight and take a lead and really put the pressure on the Kings to win at home, something they only did one out of two times in the first round. The Blues take this game tonight and it could be a whole new series. I will gladly buy a ticket to Game 5 AND Game 7 today. I will need them, Chicken Little.

I'm probably one of the few fans who is somewhere in the middle. I'm not optimistic at the moment, but I have a feeling the Blues could play their best game of the series tonight. If they don't they won't have many more chances to do it. The Kings aren't as good as they showed in that first period Monday. The Blues aren't that bad. Now is when this team can come together and really grow as a group. Or, Doug Armstrong will have some thinking to do about some of the personalities in the dressing room.

So, fine reader. How you doin'? You ducking for cover or are you wearing your Blues shirt to work talking people in off the ledge? Make your case while being respectful of the other side down below. Or walk the line with me. All I know is at some point this afternoon I'm going to obsess over Pietrangelo's injury status, start watching the clock and thinking about all the crazy line combinations Hitchcock is going to bust out to find the right players who fit together.

Tonight is the most important game of the entire season for the St. Louis Blues. No, they can't be eliminated fromt eh playoffs. They wouldn't even be pushed to the brink if they lose tonight. But no one in this building outside the suite holding the L.A. Kings executives wants this series to go to Los Angeles with the Kings up 2-0. If the Blues want to take advantage of the opportunity laid before them, they have to win tonight.

Unless they don't win. And then we'll totally say the series isn't over.

You might remember the Blues lost a tight one in the first game of the first round. And they came back and pounded, literally, the Sharks into submission. Could we see the same thing tonight? Game 1 didn't see too many get togethers after the whistle until the third period. The game was physical in spurts, but not consistently. It did seem like the Blues had little fear of crowding Jonathan Quick in the crease. That's a good thing.

The fourth line could use a little more playing time, in my opinion which is in no way humble. They created chances and usually kept the Kings deep in their own zone. And if Scott Nichol could hit the net in a high pressure situation, we might be talking about a Blues win or at least an overtime game to start the series. Alas.

Hey, that Brian Elliott is a good goaltender. Welcome him back against Quick. And no, we don't know if Alex Pietrangelo is playing tonight. Yes, we'd like to know too.

This is your game day thread. Comment like you're concussed.

It's been a long week.

The Blues last played on Saturday night, a thrilling come from behind victory that clinched the first round against the San Jose Sharks in a brief but extremely close-fought five games. There wasn't much difference between the Sharks and Blues. And we're tempted to say the same of the Kings and Blues tonight.

Both teams get by on defense. The Blues allowed the fewest goals this season, the Kings the second lowest. They both allowed the same number of goals in the first round. They both came in the league about the same time and have won the same number of Stanley Cups. Unfortunately.

Jonathan Quick has a good shot at winning the Vezina trophy he led the league in shutouts, was second in goals-against average. Brian Elliott was second in shutouts and first in goals-against average (save percentage too). Told you there's a lot that's alike about these teams.

Look, I don't know how this is going to go. It could be a long difficult series. If one offense catches fire, it could be over quickly. If the Kings' struggle scoring goals, the Blues have a helluva shot to move on. If the Blues struggle scoring goals, the Kings have a helluva shot to move on.

I'm nervous, you're nervous. Let's just get it started. This is your game day thread. Comment like you're an Internet celebrity.

Apparently being color coordinated is all the rage in playoff NHL hockey.

If you live in Phoenix, you wear white. And that's a good thing because you wander around in the dessert wearing black, and you are as good as bacon: Crispy.

If you live in Philadelphia, you wear orange. And that's a good thing because if you don't, they may kill you. Okay, kill is a strong word. Cause bodily harm that may end your life prematurely. I have a friend who was at the game the Phillies won the World Series a few years ago. A guy climbed a telephone pole. You know, to celebrate. People wanted him to grab the power line. When he didn't, they tried throwing beer cans at him to knock him down. Full beer cans. In other words, wear orange or you may die.

And if you live in St. Louis and you're going to the Blues game tonight, the Blues...want you to wear...blue. Marketing. Geniuses. I could see Ken Hitchcock announce it during a press conference between chomps on an over-sized turkey leg. "Uh (chomp). Wear blue to the (chew) Blues game. Reminds me of cotton (chomp) candy."

Look, I'm all for good atmosphere at the rink. Yell your damn heads off tonight. Seriously, lose your voice by second first intermission. But let's get one thing clear. If you want me to wear something, give me a damn shirt. They do that in Phoenix. I think they did in Philadelphia. Nope, no shirt tonight. Thunderstix! And they're not blue, they're yellow.

Let me get this straight. You want me to wear blue. You will not give me something to wear blue. But you will give me two things I have to inflate (Blues to fans: "Blow this.") and hold up in front of my face...and they are yellow.

Thanks Blues. I just have one request: A 1-0 series lead by the end of the night. Can you deliver that? You going to make that happen if I wear blue?

Hint: I'm not wearing blue. They were 2-0 in the first round with me wearing my white Olympic throwback with 42 on the back. Karma, she rides with me.

You wearing blue?

Dear L.A.

Hey, California. It's St. Louis. Yeah, put your pimp cup down, dig out your map app on your bedazzled phone and look us up. Hint: We're in the middle of the country.

You probably had to fly over us to get to California when you started chasing your dreams of being in the movies when you were a kid in Cleveland or Pittsburgh or Detroit. Now you're waiting tables and sitting in traffic six hours a day hoping to get discovered by a casting director who is illegally using the carpool lane.

Look, we know the weather is nice in SoCal. The scenery is nice. You have a beach. We get it. And we don't give a shit. Everything is too expensive, the people are all too perfect looking and the way of life is foreign to us. I've visited. I get it. My current playoff beard is almost as long as the one I grew while sitting in traffic driving from Long Beach to LAX. I could have walked faster. Or asked for a ride from one of those assholes who ride crotch rockets between cars in traffic.

If you weren't facing the Blues in this round of the playoffs, I might root for your Kings. Our teams have some history in common. Both started in the league at the same time. Zero combined championships. Not always taken seriously by the hockey establishment. Even when one or the other of us had Wayne Gretzky. By the way, sorry about that. It's not like he did us that much good either. And you did get Roman Vopat out of the deal. We got a turnover in the neutral zone, no backchecking and a rising puck over Jon Casey's shoulder in double overtime of Game 7. We're fucking even.

It's hard to really hate you, L.A. Because no one takes you seriously. Kind of like how no one takes us seriously. But that's only going to make this more bittersweet when your team gets sent to the beach and ours goes to the third round. Here's the difference between our team and yours: The Kings are happy to be here. The Blues expect more. Mark my words. The Blues will exert their will over your team. They will pressure your team. Your team will break.

So at the end of the series, you can head down the PCH to Huntington Beach and get a bite to eat at the pier, do a little shopping and watch the sunset. And then wonder what you're going to do tomorrow to enjoy your little congested, overpriced, plastic paradise. Meanwhile, we'll be getting ready for more hockey. But that's okay. Remember, we're just flyover country.

Sincerely,
St. Louis

Yesterday, we had some celebrities and experts make predictions about the upcoming second round series between the Blues and Kings. You know, if we knew any celebrities (Jon Hamm, email me). Well today with help from our friends at Joe Sports Fan, we've unearthed a real gem of a prediction.

As you might know, the St. Louis Cardinals were unable to re-sign a certain free agent infielder who won two World Series titles here in the Gateway City. And instead of staying, he chose more money to go to Southern California to play for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Now I don't remember him ever attending a Blues game during his St. Louis career, but who knows, maybe he's a closet hockey fan. And just because his team plays in Anaheim, maybe he doesn't like the Ducks. Maybe his fandom is more royal in nature.

Bam.

Uh, Pujols is the guy on the left. But the guy on the right makes me giggle just as much. So now that we have this photo, obviously giving St. Louis sports fans another kick to the groin (I bet he hopes the Rams move to L.A. too!), we can't let this go without further comment.

Top 11 Things Albert Pujols Is Saying While Wearing His Kings Jersey

11. Purple is my color, mang.

10. Lemme see your hair pick.

9. I look amused because this bench we're sitting on is electrified. His hair was braided two seconds ago.

8. I tried getting a jersey with the number 254,000,000, but all those zeroes get expensive, mang.

7. I put this jersey on and someone call me Gran Uno, but everyone know there only one Great One with the Kings.

6. I'm pretty sure I look just like Snoop Dog. Snoop A Loop!

5. I bet everyone wants to be seen at the hockey game in L.A., right?

4. I'm just a fan of science. It's a modern marvel to play hockey in California.

3. I tucked the tags in the back. I'm returning this sucker as soon as they lose to the Blues.

2. I went to a figure skating show and a hockey game broke out. Am I right?

1. I really, really hate St. Louis.

***

Got any other suggestions? Leave them in the comments.

And a HUGE hat tip to Matt Sebek of Joe Sports Fan (follow him on Twitter, one of the best out there) for the image. he is a PhotoShop maestro. The guys at JSF are doing a weekly St. Louis-centric podcast. Last Friday's installment has plenty of Blues references and is even the called the Rick Zombo edition. No, really. And they have an interview with Ray Vinson. No, really. Check it out.

Now that we're down to four teams on this side of the league, it's time to reshuffle the playoff teams and see where we stand. In my estimation, the Kings are on the top of the deck.

Oh sure, they were the No. 8 seed going into the playoffs. That was weeks ago. Sure they just barely made it into the postseason. Irrelevant. Ken Hitchcock thinks that. I do too. Here's his reasoning as reported by our good friend Norm Sanders from the Belleville News-Democrat:

"When you beat the Presidents Trophy winner, you become the No. 1 seed and I think everybody knows that," said Hitchcock, whose second-seeded Blues will enjoy home-ice advantage for the series. "Obviously when you beat the Presidents Trophy winner, that's very significant. To win it in five games gets the whole world's attention.

"We all know how good they are and how strong of a team they've got."

Don't think that Hitchcock is trying to paint the Kings as the favorite in this series. Because he doesn't have to. This isn't some shrewd coaching move. He's just falling into line with the normal thinking of hockey pundits in Canada and the Eastern United States.

When looking at playoff teams, most astute observers of the National Hockey League use one tried and true measuring stick: Pedigree. Which team has the tradition? Which team has won more in the past? Which team was an Original Six member? Which team draws higher ratings? Which team is from Detroit? And after carefully answering all those questions, they make predictions. Let's go to the important scoreboard:

CAREER STANLEY CUP FINAL GAMES WON

Kings 1

Blues 0

Predators 0

Coyotes/Jets 0

There you have it, Blues fans. St. Louis has an uphill battle to climb because history is on L.A.'s side. Now normally we'd trot out the number of actual Stanley Cups each team has won. But as you probably have guessed by the combined number of Final games won...that's zero for each of them.

So we're stuck using this scoreboard. None others can help us. Three of the four teams are tied on the HAD GRETZKY INVOLVED WITH THE TEAM scoreboard and they're all tied on the FANS OF ELIMINATED TEAMS ARE GOING TO CALL THIS THE PLAYOFFS OF BORING HOCKEY scoreboard. And that's all the scoreboards I can name right now.

Look, a coach is going to say whatever he thinks will get his team's attention. If he thinks his young players are going to freak out at being the best seed left in the playoffs, he's going to attempt to reverse the roles. I bet every guy on the Blues knows the Kings won the season series 3-1-0 even though Hitchcock and whichever Sutter brother that's coaching the Kings now weren't even both there during the first two games. That's how these guys work.

Of course, that's not all L.A. has going for it.

Top 11 Things L.A. Has More Of Than St. Louis

11. Fake breasts

10. Earthquakes

9. Governors who played kick ass killing robots sent back from the future

8. Paparazzi

7. Male hairdressers

6. All-Star NBA guards accused of rape

5. Police chases

4. Crack whores (but we're gaining!)

3. Teams that wear purple (past or present)

2. Pujols

1. Kardashians

Any more to add to the list? Any other reasons the Blues are the underdog this round? Let us know down below.

Last week we were asked to write a eulogy for the Puck Daddy series that "celebrates" a team being elminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs.

We were actually given a choice between the Blackhawks and Red Wings. We've done that for the Hawks. Actually, we've done that twice for the Hawks. So we jumped at the chance to talk about Detroit. For obviously several reasons.

Here's what you need to know about the eulogy: Fans of the team written about are supposed to hate it. The piece is meant to be a roast. You ever see the Comedy Central roasts? Same thing. You push the boundaries of good taste. And then you keep going. So, we did.

Is it twisted? Absolutely. Could it be funnier? Sure. Does the story go too far? Only if you take it seriously. Like these people below who represent the best of the worst commenters on the Internet -- the people who overreacted in the Puck Daddy comments. My only regret is that the vast majority of people who are outraged didn't make the mistake of blaming Greg Wyshinski for writing the story as has happened the last few years.

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Stop me if you've heard this before.

Young team that has a lot of players with unrealized potential and high draft picks enters the season with a strong resume on defense and goaltending but issues with scoring. The team starts the season slowly, the head coach gets fired. A new, veteran coach with previous NHL head coaching experience comes in, preaches responsible decision making and the team responds, goes on to qualify for the playoffs. That's the story for your 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings.

While there are a bunch of parallels between the Blues and Kings this season, how each team has put finishing touches on the roster is the biggest difference. The Kings lost the last game of the season clinching the eighth playoff spot. The Blues lost to Columbus when they clinched the Central Division.

The Kings traded for Mike Richards. They traded for Jeff Carter. The signed Simon Gagne. The Blues built mostly from within. Their free agent signings were Brian Elliott (to a one-year, two-way contract), Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner (both looking for a last shot or two at the playoffs at the end of their careers).

A few bullets for good measure.

• The Kings earned a few more points than the Blues on the road this year thanks to taking more games to overtime and grabbing the charity point. The Blues had eight more wins at home than Los Angeles.
• In goals allowed per game, the Blues were No. 1 in the NHL at 1.89. The Kings were No. 2 at 2.07 allowed per game. St. Louis was 21st in the league in goals scored. Los Angeles was 29th.
• Neither team has a bunch of playoff experience or success as a group. There are some individual players who have gone deep in the playoffs, but we're looking at two franchises that have never won championships. Ever.
• For any Kings fans who drop by, no Geoff Courtnall is not still on the Blues. He famously started a brawl by running into a Kings goaltender, turtled when a Kings player wanted to fight him, drew a five minute major for fighting against the Kings and the Blues scored something like a half dozen goals on the ensuing power play. My facts might be a little exagerated, but I know it's something close to that. And Kings fans remember. Right Kings fans?

This could be a tight, defensive, low-scoring series. It might be something the Blues are specifically designed to play. You got an preliminary thoughts? Give 'em in the comments.

Hello Sharks fans.

I know this is a tough night. I can appreciate that. But I wanted to take a second to stop by here and say a few things about the series and your fine community you have here at Fear the Fin.

First, I think any Blues fan who says this was an easy series or that they were never worried is lying or doesn't understand the game. As Ken Hitchcock said in your building after Thursday's game, the only thing separating these two teams is the fact that the Blues converted a couple more power plays. And that's about it. This was an evenly-matched series by two good teams. I had knots in my stomach all night thinking this was going back to San Jose on Monday. I was convinced there would be a seventh game. Tonight's game was that close -- just like the previous four.

Second, the Sharks played their guts out tonight. You could feel it in the arena. This wasn't an easy game. Not one bit. There was no quit on that team tonight.

Finally, much respect to the writers and commenters here at FTF. I've mixed it up on Twitter and in the comments with fans from other SBN sites. There has been hard feelings and awkward moments. But not here and with you fine folks. Congratulations on having a great community of dedicated fans.

I wish you well, except in any playoff rematch in future seasons of course.

Brad

St. Louis Game Time

Did you know we produce a game-day paper for every St. Louis Blues home game? We do. We sell it in a few places:

• Northeast Corner of 14th and Clark (right across from the arena, near the exit from the City Hall parking lot)
• On 14th Street where the Peabody Opera House and the Scottrade Center meet
• The entrance to the arena parking garage on Clark Street
• Inside the garage near the stairs

Did you know that you don't have to go to the game to get a paper? Every day around noon (some days earlier, some days later depending on the schedule of the publisher) an email goes out with the electronic version of the paper that you can read on your computer, smart phone or print it out. I've seen people bring them to games in a binder. It works. The best thing about subscribing via email: It's $2, half the cover price at the stadium. Plus the playoffs are free.

We thought a bunch of people might be looking at the site for the first time. And we also are really proud of how good the paper is right now. Pretty much everyone who writes for the paper has been on a roll for weeks (as well as the people who write mainly for this site). So tonight's issue is free by clicking: san jose. That's it.

If you like it, thinking about picking up a copy next game you attend. Or if you'd like to put some money down for subscribing for next year, I'm sure you can work something out with Sean for getting the rest of the playoffs. Drop him an email using the link at the bottom of any Game Time page.

Enjoy. And tell us what you think of the paper tonight. It's the only thing we write that doesn't have instant comments. So it's the thing we get the least feedback about.

Thanks for reading. And let's go Blues!

The Blues have a chance to close out the first round with a win on home ice tonight against the San Jose Sharks. And I don't care if you plan to be on your couch, in a bar, listening on the radio or standing at your seat inside the arena: It's time.

It's time to make as much noise as you possibly can to keep pushing this young hockey team to another level. It's time for the Blues to answer their critics coming down the stretch who said this squad was boring and not built for the playoffs. It's time for the Blues to pay us back for all those Tuesday night Columbus games, those blowout games in Detroit, all the money and time we've spent on this franchise with a memorable home victory and handshake line. It's time for the Blues to put these Sharks out of their misery.

Going back through the records, I believe the Blues have clsoed out a playoff series 12 times before tonight. That's not too many opportunities to be there and see it happen. Let's not put off to Monday what they could take care of tonight.

The Blues may have a 3-1 series lead, there is pressure to get it done tonight. Consider this: If the Blues can't get a win tonight, they fly cross-country back to San Jose for another elimination game in the Shark Tank. The Blues have won twice there. Expecting a third win in that building in the same series might be a little too optimistic. So that would tie the series at three wins apiece and bring it back here for a Game 7. And in a Game 7, anything can fucking happen. There is too much left to chance by not winning tonight. So put those possibilities to rest and close this thing.

On the Twitter, reports from the morning skate say no lineup changes for the Blues. I haven't seen an update on Jaroslav Halak, so just assume Jake Allen is backing up the now-starter, Brian Elliott.

Look, we want to party tonight too. Only eight teams in a league of 30 make the second round. It hasn't happened nearly enough around here the last decade. As in, it hasn't happened once in the last decade. But I'm already nervous. And excited. And cautiomistic.

That's all I got. You probably haven't read much of this anyway. That's fine. I'd be blind drunk too if I could. This is your game day thread. Comment like you're drinking coffee. Because coffee is for closers.

Before a possibly decisive Game 5, we thought we would bring in someone to give the St. Louis Blues some inspiration. And as a special treat, we let you inside the dressing room to hear the words for yourself. Before tonight's playoff game, we've asked someone from Mitch and Murray to say a few words.

Let me have your attention for a moment. So you're talking about what? You're talking about, bitching about that goal you missed, some son of a bitch that made the save, somebody that doesn't want what you've got, some broad you're trying to screw and so forth. Let's talk about something important.

Are they all here? [looks at Ken Hitchcock] Well, I'm going anyway. Let's talk about something important. [looks at T.J. Oshie] Put that coffee down. Coffee's for closers only. Do you think I'm fucking with you? I am not fucking with you. I'm here from downtown. I'm here from Mitch and Murray. And I'm here on a mission of mercy. Your name's Oshie? ... You call yourself a playoff hockey player, you son of a bitch? ... You certainly aren't pal. ‘Cause the good news is you're all fired. The bad news is you've got, all you got, just 60 minutes to regain your jobs, starting tonight. Oh, have I got your attention now? Good. ‘Cause we're adding a little something to this month's sales contest. As you all know, first prize is a Cadillac El Dorado. Anyone want to see second prize? Second prize is a cruise with the Sedin brothers and you all share a cabin. Third prize is you're fired. You get the picture? You're laughing now?

You've had leads in this series with San Jose. Dave Checketts has paid good money. You can't close the leads you're given, you can't close shit, you are shit, hit the bricks pal and beat it 'cause you are going out. ... ‘The leads are weak.' Fucking leads are weak? You're weak. I've been in this business 15 years. [someone mutters 'who is this guy?'] Fuck you, that's my name. You know why, Mister? ‘Cause you drove a Hyundai to get here tonight, I drove an $80,000 BMW. That's my name. And your name is you're wanting. And you can't play in a man's game. You can't close. And you go home and tell your wife your troubles. Because only one thing counts in this life. Win the game at the end of the night. You hear me, you fucking Red Wings fans? ... A-B-C. A-always, B-be, C-closing. Always be closing. Always be closing. Close these motherfucking Sharks out.

A-I-D-A. Attention, interest, decision, action. Attention; do I have your attention? Interest; are you interested? I know you are because it's fuck or walk. You close or you hit the bricks. Decision; have you made your decision for Christ? And action. A-I-D-A; get out there. You got the Sharks comin' in; you think they came in to get out of the rain? Guy doesn't walk in the rink unless he wants to play. Joe Thornton is sitting out there waiting to give you the game! Are you gonna take it? Are you man enough to take it?

What's the problem pal? You. Berglund. ...You see this watch? You see this watch? ... That watch cost more than your car. I made $970,000 last year. How much you make? You see, pal, that's who I am. And you're nothing. Nice guy? I don't give a shit. Good father? Fuck you, go home and play with your kids. You wanna play hockey here? Close. You think this is abuse? You think this is abuse, you cocksucker? You can't take this, how can you take the abuse you get on one shift against the Sharks? You don't like it, leave. I can go out there tonight with the stick you got, make myself a goal and an assist. Tonight. Can you? Can you? Go and do likewise. A-I-D-A.

Get mad. You sons of bitches. Get mad. You know what it takes to win a playoff hockey series? It takes brass balls to win a playoff hockey series. Go and do likewise, gents. Game 5's out there, you pick it up, it's yours. You don't, I have no sympathy for you. You wanna go out on those shifts tonight and close, close, it's yours. If not you're going to be shining my shoes.

Just 13 hours have passed since the Blues took a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round series with the Sharks. Game 5 is here in St. Louis on Saturday. They have three games to close the series out. Of all the teams that have taken a 3-1 lead, 90 percent of them win the damn thing.

This series is not over.

The last time the Blues had a 3-1 lead, they blew it in 2003 against the Canucks. This team is filled with guys who haven't won an NHL series before. Hell, a bunch of them had never won an NHL playoff game before last week. So let's not count our playoff chickens before they hatch. Don't plan the party for Saturday night just yet.

And the Blues are saying the right things about finishing the Sharks. First of all, Andy McDonald told Bernie Federko on Fox Sports Midwest that the Blues want to go into Saturday night and "step on their throats." Love that phrase. It's so violent, but it's what it takes to send a team home for the year. It's the attitude the Blues need for that game.

Here, listen to B.J. Crombeen, a playoff goal-scorer.

Obviously we know this is a great team we're playing. They're not going to roll over and die. We know we're going to have their best game next game and we're going to need our best to play with them. We're enjoying this one now for a few minutes, but we're focused on what we've got to do for the next one.

In the post-game press conference, Ken Hitchcock was asked a lot about the youth of his team and not being in this position before. Here's what he said about that:

This is new ground for us. I know one thing. We've played well at home all year. I know we're going to play well, but they're going to play well too. They're not going quietly. There's very little difference between the two teams right now. The difference is we've scored on our power play chances and they haven't on theirs and that's the No. 1 difference in the series and that's about it.

This is important to hear from the coach to the media because you know it's the same message he's giving the players in the dressing room. And I'm fairly certain he has their undivided attention. Whent he Blues played well for him from the beginning, a lot of players talked about how Hitchcock had been to the mountain top before with the Stars. He had the resume as a winning leader and he knew how to get a team to the next level. If they believed all that in November, how do you think they're listening in mid-April?

The Blues will not be able to coast on Saturday. The Sharks have scored in the last minutes of the previous two games. One comment about that could be that the Sharks are scoring meaningless goals to get the games close, but can't get over the hump. Another would be that the Blues were playing everyone back, letting the Sharks have the zone and get a ton of chances. Yet another is that the Sharks haven't quit. They've fought to the final horn when faced by multi-goal leads and long odds. That won't change Saturday.

When the Blues were down three games to nothing against Vancouver in 2009, they played their best game of the series in Game 4. Expect the on the brink Sharks to possibly do the same thing.

Confidence is a loaded word in hockey. When a team isn't playing well, they often say they don't have a lot of confidence. And when they're winning...they have an abundance of confidence. I tend to think it's more a descriptiong of how you're going and not a readon for how you're going. If everything is clicking, well of course you're feeling confident. It's not because you're feeling confident. But some guys still talk like it's fuel for their play.

After the game, Andy McDonald spoke with Bernie Federko on Fox Sports Midwest. McDonald has been without a doubt the best player in this series, no matter the position or jersey. Here's what he said about confidence:

I think our confidence has grown. Just because of the inexperience, we've had kind of a feeling out process with how we would do. Game 1 at home was kind of an eye opener a little bit. They played with a lot of desire and passion in the hard areas. I think that was a bit of a lesson for us. The last three games I think we've matched that and the confidence has grown in the room.

What he's saying there is all these young guys on the roster who had either never played in a playoff game or never won one, well they're playing well and feeling good. I can understand that. But Federko pointed to a turning point in the series for McDonald. There was a big hit early where McDonald took a T.J. Galiardi shoulder to his head, cracking McDonald's helmet. He jumped up and there was no call. But for a guy with a concussion...it was a big deal.

It's good to be able to take that type of hit and come back from it with no problems. I think confidence wise, that helped elevate my play a little bit, being able to take those kinds of hits. It's fun. It's fun playing this kind of hockey. The atmosphere has been great in both rinks.

In that instance, confidence is real. Anyone who has tried coming back form injury, playing free and easy can be nearly impossible. Maybe that hit cleared up any doubt in McDonald's own mind that he can do this because ever since that Game 1 moment, he's been a beast.

What a nerve-wracking game. The Blues took the lead in the first and then seemed to be playing more to protect it than extend it the majority of the rest of the game. You could just feel at the beginning of the third that the Sharks were going to swarm. Chum was in the water.

A flurry with about 12 minutes left led to a power play for the Sharks where they really looked dangerous. And then at the end of that, Patrick Marleau took a dumb penalty. And that penalty led to the second Blues goal of the game, another for Andy McDonald this series. Seven points in four games for him. I think we told you this week, he's the engine that provides the power for the power play. The goal also gave Patrik Berglund his second assist of the game...another guy I'm certain we told you was having a helluva series this week.

WIth a two-goal lead, I'm sure you relaxed a bit, right? Empty net for San Jose for like two minutes, goal No. 3 was coming any second, right? Nope. Joe Thornton scored with just under a minute to play. Then McDonald missed the empty net, the Sharks couldn't get organized and the clock thankfully ticked down to zeroes. And we exhaled.

So that win gives the Blues a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Game 5 is back here in St. Louis on Saturday night. I'm getting excited for said game in 3...2...1

I don't own this place. But I will defend it with my bullets.

• The Blues have a power play goal in every game in this series so far. I'm not sure if that's a product of Ken Hitchcock's coaching ("I'll fix this damn thing in one practice!") or the lack of penalty killing on the behalf of the Sharks. Either way, the St. Louis power play has turned the tide in this series.
• Another PeePee bullet. The Blues have converted 31 percent of their man advantages adding the regular and postseason together. That's fucking domination right there. Thanks for the info, Fox Sports Midwest. Almost makes up for your girls you keep pimping who don't like Europeans.
• Scott Nichol took a dumb penalty as he impeded a Shark going into his zone. Dumbest play he's had all series. Good thing it's only been one. Still playing a solid game, and was playing a huge factor in getting B.J. Crombeen chances.
• And if you needed any more proof that Hitcock dabbles in the dark arts, it has to be Crombeen scoring his first career playoff goal. You know why he's never tallied a playoff goal before? Probably because he's usually in the penalty box or on the bench because he's been in the penalty box too often.
• Inside five minutes to play and Bernie Federko reported that fans were leaving the Shark Tank in bunches. You hear that? It's the air leaking out of the teal playoff balloon.
• One more FSN bullet: Teams that take a 3-1 series lead win said series 90 percent of the time. Still, you don't want to be one of the sad motherfuckers in that bottom 10 percent. Be an overachiever. Be in the top 90 percent.
• Twitter will make you say weird things. When the Blues scored their second goal, I admitted online to 940 followers (#humblebrag) that I squealed. Earlier I said I love the B.J. Just think what I might tweet Saturday.

Well, it's after midnight. It's Friday morning. Just think, the Blues play tomorrow. I'm sure we might have a few more stories between now and then. Thanks for your patronage this week. Big week for us and the team we follow. Come back for more, won't you?

"(Jaroslav Halak's) not going to play obviously and he's not going to skate," Ken Hitchcock said. "He skated yesterday, so we'll just keep working him towards getting back here sometime. But right now, he's not available, so Brian (Elliott) is the guy."

That's what the St. Louis Blues' head coach told Jeremy Rutherford after practice on Wednesday in San Jose in preparation for tonight's Game 4 in the first round. Brian Elliott better be "the guy" because the Sharks are going to be in full-out desperation mode.

Consider these facts:

• The Sharks have lost two in a row. A third would mean going back to St. Louis with the Blues holding a commanding 3-1 lead.
• The Blues were tied with Detroit for most home points in the league with 65.
• The Sharks were 17-17-7 on the road during the regular season.
• Rutherford reports that Michal Handzus and Brad Winchester (I'm sorry, Brad Fucking Winchester) may dress and seeing playing time tonight. Talk about desperate...
• The top line of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski have combined for three points -- all three coming on March Playoff Beard Thornton's three assists in Game 3.

So here's where we are. The Blues are standing pat with the lineup. No demotions to the press box, no messages to receive or send other than the guys who were on the ice Monday get another crack tonight. The top line for San Jose is getting broken up. Antti Niemi is starting again because the Sharks have no other options. And all the pressure will be on Elliott.

I know the Blues have been able to control the flow of games and have been the better power play team. I would wager the offense will not be the unit to win this game. No, I'd wager this one will have the tightest checking yet in the series. It will likely be low scoring and real estate at a premium. The pressure will be on Elliott to withstand the barrage that is coming.

It will be interesting to see how Hitchcock plays David Backes And Friends. The No. 1 line has been the shutdown line. They'll probably still get Thornton. That means Marleau might have a little more room to skate with Martin Havlat and Ryan Clowe. We'll see if it works.

It's simple: Win and the Blues have a chance to start the handshake line in St. Louis Saturday night. Lose, and no matter what the series will return to San Jose next week for Game 6. Drama, we got.

This is your game day thread. Comment like you're not even tired.

I argued a few years ago that center Andy McDonald was the best player on the Blues. I don't know if that's the case anymore, but I think you can make a case for him being the heart of the team.

In the last two years he's suffered two major concussions. Dude has a Stanley Cup ring. He's gotten paid. I'm sure he still has a house in Anaheim where he could spend his days on the beach. He's 34 years old. He as a lot of life to live after he hangs up the skates and no one wants to see him do it with a traumatic brain injury. Yet here he is, in the thick of every playoff game so far.

Saturday night he took a shot to the head from a player leaving his feet. The hit cracked his over-sized, made to fight concussions helmet. What's he do the next time out, Game 3 in San Jose? Score a huge goal and grab two assists in the 4-3 win. In the meantime, he's taking a physical punishment from guys taller and 30 or 40 pounds heavier. He took a crosscheck into the boards at the end of a period. Yet none of this crap phases him. He plays with reckless abandon. And when the power play is clicking (next paragraph, please), he's the engine.

If the Blues are to advance to the next round, they have to be faster and smarter than the San Jose Sharks. They have to be tougher, in the right way. Monday night they held their composure, stood up to the Sharks when necessary and drew some important power plays leading to three goals with the man advantage. In other words, they have to do as a group what McDonald does most nights as an individual.

Oh sure, he's not the captain of the team, he's not playing on the No. 1 line. Because of his concussion, he didn't lead the team in points or goals or assists. But in the most important game of the series so far, McDonald was the No. 1 star.

One of these teams is going to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Why not the St. Louis Blues?

The first 10 minutes of this hockey game might tell us where the rest of this series is headed. That's a lot of pressure to put on one-sixth of one game in a possible seven-game series. But a lot is riding on the first 10 minutes tonight.

All the fisticuffs and shenanigans at the end of Saturday's Game 2 weren't all started by the Blues, but it felt like they ended all of them. Emphatically. Players were hitting the ice, and the guys in teal were seemed to be on their backs. A lot.

That happened two days ago, including one long, probably quiet plane flight to San Jose. So it's all sunk in. The realization has hit. If you're a Sharks player, you realize the Blues beat you on the scoreboard and physically on the ice. Plus, it's the first game of the playoffs at their home rink, the fans will be wanting some Blues blood. The energy level will be turned up to an 11 when the puck drops tonight.

But ponder this situation. If the Blues can manage to take a lead or at worst hold a tie with the Sharks, say halfway through the first period, the momentum is going to shift. That burst from the crowd is going to subside (we saw it here Thursday night). The flow of the game will return to a more normal pace, a pace often dictated by the Blues so far in this series. If they play their game with the aggressive forecheck, limiting Sharks shots, clogging the middle and quick counterattacks, the Blues will be in the driver's seat.

So that Chris Stewart has another chance to redeem himself. While everyone acknowledges that he wasn't horrible, just playing okay wasn't good enough. After sitting out Game 2, he's expected back tonight. Matt D'Agostini is expected to join the Jaden Schwartz Press Box Buffet Crew (patent pending). I would have liked to see that physical Ryan Reaves back. Hope he's not dinged up from Game 1 and we're not hearing about it.

It's late. The playoffs are nerve-wracking. Enough chit chat. Let's get ready rumble. This is your game day thread. Comment like you want to break a Sharks player's nose.

Of course the Blues announced Sunday that Jaroslav Halak is unavailable for tonight's Game 3 in San Jose after Barret Jackman collided with the netminder, sending him to the dressing room Saturday night. We should have seen this coming. It's the only logical next step in the rebirth of Brian Elliott. The "backup" goaltender has saved the season for the Blues more than once this crazy year.

You might remember, Elliott had a strong start to his career in Ottawa where he won the starting job at age 23. His numbers were pretty good, he led them to the playoffs and he sucked. At the beginning of last season he was a fine member of the Senators. And then he went 13-19-9, stopped only 89.4 percent of shots allowed and gave up 3.19 goals a game. It was enough to get him shipped to Colorado. There, he went 2-8-1 (his two wins were against Columbus and Edmonton), saw his save percentage drop slightly to 89.1 percent while he allowed 3.83 goals a game. He was rewarded for his efforts last season by the Blues with a one-year, two-way contract. Guys starting playoff games in goal aren't supposed to be on two-way contracts. Brad Fucking Winchester was signed to a two-way contract when he joined the team a few years back.

But a funny thing happened on his way to Peoria to make less money. He won the backup goalie job and was in the catbird seat when Halak struggled to start the season winning only one of his first seven games. Elliott won 10 of his first 11 starts, including three shutouts in that span. And despite his strong play, when Ken Hitchcock was hired in early November, Halak was given the first couple starts. No worries. Elliott twould take over as the unofficial starter.

In early December, Elliott saw Chicago, Detroit, San Jose and the Rangers. Halak saw ice time against Colorado, Anaheim, Nashville and Columbus during that same time span. The league noticed and named Elliott the lone Blues representative at the All-Star Game. He was even given the chance to get the win in that exhibition game before allowing six goals in the third, the most of any goalie in the game. Oops.

Starting Feb. 23, Halakput the pressure back on Elliott. He would win 10 of 11 starts including nine in a row. How would the goalie no other team would offer a guaranteed NHL contract to respond? Three straight shutouts in mid-March and finishing the season with the best goals-against average and save percentage in the league. And still, when the playoffs opened last Thursday, Halak was the starter. The guy has been counted out, disregarded and passed over -- all in less than 12 months and several times on the same team. Yet there he was Saturday night, coming onto the ice to a huge ovation and then promptly stopping all 17 shots he faced in cementing the shutout win for the Blues.

I'm not saying this is the same story at all, but there was a time in St. Louis when a local sports team traded for a high-priced player, saw him go down to a freak injury and the almost unknown backup led the team to winning the Super Bowl. What do I know. I ranked the guy the 19th most important player on the team at the beginning of the season.

So Blues fans, how do you feel about Brian Elliott? Ever see anything like this story this guy is writing this season? Plenty of time before the puck drops tonight on the West Coast. Weigh in down in the comments.

This is not an attack piece on Jon Hamm. It's just to illustrate that he's a man of his word.

Back in 2009, the Blues talked their most famous fan (you could argue John Goodman might be more well known, but it's not like we've seen him at a game recently and I'm not sure Joe Buck counts...and that's the end of the list) into doing some video spots for the team. They had a few different edits to be used during stoppages in the arena and on FSN game broadcasts.

During the spots, he wore a faded Blues hat. He made a claim in the video. Here:

"I've had this hat for 15 years." As we documented back in 2009, the Blues logo in 1994 had a red outline around it and the words "St. Louis" embedded at the top of the Note. The Blues' website has a logo breakdown. So according to the team (which happened to be involved in the product of the video), that logo wouldn't appear on hats until 1998 at the earliest. So at the time, it could have been 11 years old. Which means it could be almost 14 years old. Which means it's almost not the "Hat of Lies" anymore. Kind of. Regardless, we still think it's cool that our drooling logo guy is a sticker on the T.J. Oshie sign that makes an appearance in the clip.

What this means is that while Jon Hamm is a really popular actor on a highly-acclaimed television show, he's a lot like us. I bet most people who come to this site have old Blues crap they still like or wear or wish they could fit in (apparently I wore a large-sized jersey in high school in 1992). Hell, he might even come to this site. No matter the accuracy of said hat, it's clear in the photo from Twitter friend @blakespoorbrain that it's the same. And to that we say kudos, sir.

If you would ever like to do an email interview, drop me a line. I would love to ask you some questions. You know, how did you become a fan, how closely do you follow the team and what's up with that scarf in mid-April?