by Paul Beaty - AP

Come on B.J., don't shove Frenchie into the goal like it's his junior high school locker. AP Photo/Paul Beaty

View full size photo »

Home again, home again.

Tonight the Blues play their third game in four days. After beating Cal and Gary at home on Brett Hull Night, things were looking up. Then, a night later, the consistently inconsistent Blues defecated the bed against a far-superior Chicago team.

Tonight the Blues will be taking on the Lightning. As an Eastern Conference team that I see once in a blue moon, I can honestly say I know nothing about them. I know their owners are the dudes behind the "Saw" movies, so you can hate them for that. I know the have Martin St. Louis, a player who the Blues should have gotten many years ago. They also have every Candadiens' fan wet dream in Vinny Lecavalier. Oh and Steve Stamkos is pretty good.

Fun fact about the Lightning, they don't play in Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay is a body of water. The city is Tampa.

Honestly, the Blues should win this game. Tampa is not a good team. They have allowed 104 goals this year and have fewer points than the Blues. No game in December is a must-win, but this is two points the Blues really can't afford to piss away.

This is your Game Day Thread. Play nice with each other. Remember, at the end of the day, we're all Blues fans. Even Mike Martin and his crazy bigamist allegiances.

Do work.

Friday!

Blue news

• Blues vs. Tampa tonight. Can St. Louis beat the Lightning? Let's hope so. [CBS Sports]
• I hate question mark headlines, but this one does raise a point. When do the struggling vets get the Matt Walker tour of arena press boxes? [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
• T.J. Oshie claims he doesn't think he's a star. Good, because he isn't. A star has more than 20 career goals. [Belleville News-Democrat]
• One thing learned in this Jeremy Rutherford chat: he expects a trade before Murray gets the boot. [STLtoday]

Hockey news

• Last night's results. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Blues and five others are playing tonight. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Canada is unhappy about not getting a Winter Classic yet. At least this guy is. [Toronto Sun]
• A look at the 10-worst deals of the aughts. Shockingly, no Chris Pronger for Eric Brewer, Doug Lynch and Jeff Woywitka. [Puck Daddy]
• Henrik Zetterberg suffered an upper-body injury last night. [ESPN]
• Luke Schenn (sophomore slump) and Jonas Gustavsson (heart) are expected back for the Leafs on Friday. [TSN]

David Kock and Jarkko Ruutu received fines. [TSN]

Other links

• This is extremely complicated, but cool nonetheless: The beerodic table. [Pic]
• More year-end countdown stuff: The top 15 local news stories of the year. [Buzzfeed]
• I've never written on a stall wall, but I've often thought about it. As a lefty, I'm usually pretty close to the wall and as a journo, I always have a pen in my pocket. Anyway, these people aren't like me and write on walls. [OMG Staff Wall]
• I don't have many rules, but if you submit to this Web site, we can't be friends. [Rate My Pecs]

Video

Look, the video well has dried up. After doing this for like 10ish months, I'm about tapped out. So today, you're getting Muppets.

One year ago yesterday, this little blog left its humble Word Press home and joined SB Nation. It's hard to imagine a world without the "z" button and auto-refresh comments. Happy Birth-day after to everyone.

Blues news

• Blackhawks top Blues via a shutout. Ugh. Classic letdown game. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
• Alex Pietrangelo may not have played last night — in fact, he was in Canada — but according one fan, he helped knock off the glass last night at the United Center. [Chicago Now]
• Team Canada has named its World Junior Roster, and Jake Allen and Alex Pietrangelo are on it. Go Team Canada? [NHL.com]
• With Jake Allen making Team Canada, his family will be doing some traveling. [Daily Gleaner]
• Look, this year may be a bit of a downer, but the future is still bright in St. Louis. [The Hockey News]
• Erik Johnson and the Blues are talking contract. Surprisingly, the Blues aren't talking to David Perron. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
• If you see cats and dogs living together, you'll know why: Brett Hull and Mike Keenan have patched things up. [Belleville News-Democrat]

Hockey news

• Results from last night. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Hey look, the Blues aren't playing tonight. We can't lose! [Yahoo! Sports]
• The NHL wants not one, but TWO outdoor games. One in the States and one in Canada land. [ESPN]
• Speaking of Canada, the Canadian teams are no longer struggling to stay afloat. [ESPN]
• More Canada: The league is looking at increasing exposure in the Great White North. [TSN]
• Joffrey Lupul will be out 6-to-8 weeks with back surgery. Does he have any kids to lift so Ducks fans can chart his progress? [TSN]
• Joining Lupul in the "out 6-to-8" club will be Jason Spezza. Spezza has a torn MCL. [TSN]
• The NHLPA is looking for a new leader and five players have joined the search. [TSN]

Other links

• A list of the 10 biggest memes of 2009. The drunk guy we featured twice? He's No. 1. [Ranker]
• The best mugshots of 2009. There are some AWE. SOME. ones in here. [Buzzfeed]
• Get someone really good? That's a burn. [Buuurn]

• Remember earlier I said dogs and cats living together might be a sign of the end of the world? I meant bears, lions and tigers. [urlesque]

Video

I think we all could use something lighter with the struggles on ice. I present you singing Muppets.

Adios, bitches. Gametimelinks(at)gmail.com

by Tom Gannam - AP

I told you we could be winners, no matter what coach says about us! AP Photo/Tom Gannam

View full size photo »

By Brad Lee

I don't recognize the world we live in any longer. The Blackhawks are the cream of the Central Division, the Blues the cellar dwellers. Joel Quenneville is the head coach of the Hawks, Ed Belfour the Blues' goaltending guru. Next you'll tell me the Blues have a racially insensitive mascot and the Hawks are named after a cool musical revolution.

This is the first time Chicago and St. Louis have met for a game this season. Considering we're two and a half months in, that's pretty fucking weird. Probably Gary Bettman's fault.

We don't need to remind you that the Blues had a nice convincing win last night against Calgary. The Hawks think the Tampa Lightning suck and stuff.

There's already been the discussion in the Road Music and over at Second City Hockey about how fans of both teams hate the Red Wings, but have a special level of distaste for each other that pre-dates the Wings dislike.

We're not really big on previews around here. You know what's going on. We know what's going on. So let's get the Game Day Thread started. One word about our friends at Second City. Gallagher and I agree they have a similar outlook on hockey as we do. They use language like we do. They like liquor like we do. They just choose their allegiances poorly.

If by chance some of their folks stop by (Good God, why would they?) give shit but don't take it seriously. Same if you wander over there. I think we can all dislike each other and not be dicks about it. I hope you share that philosophy.

This is the GDT. Break shit.

A home win? What is that? Now let's get a road win again tonight.

Blues news

• Blues win! At home! Exclamation points! [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
• Were the Flames star-struck? Who knows. I'm just glad they lost. [Vancouver Sun]
• Brett Hull is, and always will be, the man. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
• Some quotes throughout the day — did you know the Blues told Brendan Shanahan he was traded in a five-second phone call? [Belleville News-Democrat]
• Here are some pictures from last night. [Blues]
• The Blues are back in action tonight, taking on the hated Chicago Blackhawks. [CBS Sports
• Patrick Kane will play tonight against the Blues. [Chicago Breaking Sports News]

Hockey news

• Here are your results for last night. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Eight games tonight, but really one worth watching. [Yahoo! Sports]
• FIGHT! Everyone loves a good throw down, here are the Puck Daddy Top-10 of the aughts. No love for the Cam Janssen/Aaron Downey fight? [Puck Daddy]
• What's ailing the Sharks? For once it's not being in the playoffs. [Fear the Fin]
• The 12 Days of Christmas gets a Vancouver makeover. [Nucks Misconduct]
• Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak might be on the move. [TSN]
• Gary Bettman tells the Board of Governors they won't have to cover the Coyotes' losses. That means, of course, they will. [TSN]
• Guess what? The Canadian media loves Sidney Crosby. [TSN]
• More notes from the first day of the BOG meetings. [ESPN]
• Brian Burke will carry the Olympic torch. [ESPN]
• Michael Leighton, who is not that good, has been claimed off waivers by the Flyers. [ESPN]

Other links

• This map looks pretty accurate said every one of my neighbors. [Pic
• You've heard of Letters to Santa, well this is Letters to Walken, as in Christopher Walken. [Letters to Walken]
• The year in viral videos. Enjoy. [Videogum]

Video

Donut King knows who he wants to take over the Blues when Andy Murray gets fired: this guy.

Game tonight. Will the Blues show up?

Blues news

• Blues vs. Flames tonight. Will the bed stay poo-free tonight? [Sporting News]
• Brett Hull and his Dream Team will be honored tonight. [The Canadian Press]
• Like the Blues, the Flames are talking about hitting each other, too. [Toronto Sun]
• Reminder: No T.V. for tonight's game. It's 2009, why do the Blues keep fucking up with T.V. First Dish, then High School football and now Brett Hull night. Get your shit together, Blues. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
• For those of you salivating over Andy Murray getting fired if the Blues lose on Brett Hull night, John Davidson says that's not likely. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
• Alex Pietrangelo reported to a very cold Regina for the World Juniors. [The Globe and Mail]
• Some of the Blues went to Cardinal Glennon to cheer up some sick kids. I hope they didn't show them Friday's game. [Blues]

Hockey news

• Last night's results. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Blues are just one many teams playing tonight. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Brian Burke says U.S. Hockey roster is nearly done. [CTV Olympics]
• Jason Spezza may be hurt. Well ... he is, but we don't know for how long. [TSN]
• Is it a little early to look at the 2009 free agent signings? Yes. That doesn't mean we still won't [TSN]
• Speaking of the Flames, Olli Jokinen is playing terribly. [ESPN]
• The Wild(s) are having struggling with head injuries.[ESPN]

Other links

• I have a feeling this is going to be a big story. [New York Times]
• Here are 50 great headlines for 2009. [Buzzfeed]
• Wanna see some ass tattoos? Not tats of asses, tats ON asses. [City Rag]
• Holy shit this does not look good. [eating the road]

Video

It's Brett Hull night. Here are some videos.

I think it's pretty cool Hull got 500 with a hat trick goal.

More videos after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

Well, we have all had a weekend to digest Friday's bed shitting. How are we all feeling?

Blues news

• Maybe Chris Gift is right, Barret Jackman sure does sound like a captain. And, he's acting like one following The Loss. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
• The Blues are saying the right things about The Loss, but actions speak louder than words. [Belleville News-Democrat]
• It's rumor mongering time: Bruce Garrioch, who a few summers ago had Evgeni Malkin packing his bags to head to the Kings, thinks the Blues might try and deal for Eric Staal. [Ottawa Sun]
• What do Erik Johnson and Tiger Woods have in common? Besides hanging out with tall blond Swedes, it's that they landed on this list of bad drivers. [Winnipeg Sun]
• Need insight from the father of a Blues player. I mean BESIDES Coach Osh. Bob Boyes, father of Brad Boyes if you aren't good at logic, talks about the OHL draft and what his family dealt with. [CBC Sports]

Hockey news

• Guess who is still in last in the Central? Hint: It's the Blues. [NHL.com]
• Blackhawks beat the Lightning and the Avalanche beat the Flames on Sunday. [Yahoo! Sports]
• After only two games Sunday, the NHL has a pretty full slate on Monday ... to compete with Monday night football. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Marty Turco probably is on the trading block. [Defending Big D]
• Did Christmas come early for Coyotes' fans? [TSN]
• Bettman about suspending the owner of the Anaheim Ducks: My bad. [ESPN]
• Not really hockey related, but interesting nonetheless, who should light the Olympic cauldron? [Nucks Misconduct]
• You ever wanted to hear Red Wings fans instead of just reading them. Well then, your wish has been granted. [Winging it in Motown]

Other links

• Since it's not sports, I'm OK with linking to the Bleacher Report. Here's a collection of Tiger Woods' jokes. Enjoy. [Bleacher Report]
• Everyone, meet Mike the Headless Chicken. His name is not ironic. [Life]
• More offices in America need this. Including mine. [The Chive]
• Hollywood recycles more than just old tv shows into movies. [Cracked]

Video

Doc Whiskey wants to help you get in the holiday spirit.

Awesome way to start out the week. Get used to holiday themed videos because that's all I seem to be finding right now.

That's all for this Monday edition of the links. Got something to pass along? Please do at gametimelinks(at)gmail.com.

It's Friday. I can't wait for this week to end.

Blues news

• The Oilers vs. Blues tonight. Here's a preview. [CBS Sports]
• Ty Conklin has done well as a backup. I'm not used to the Blues having a backup who doesn't make me cringe. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
• The Oilers are trying to make history in St. Louis. [Toronto Sun]
• Pascal Pelletier is pretty happy to get out of the of Syracuse and into the Blues orgnaization. Also, his eyes are very close together. [Peoria Journal Star]
• From the good Dr. (drfrankentweed) comes a nice little article on the Eureka fury, Cam Janssen. [Duffer's Dabbles]

Hockey news

• Thursday's results. [Yahoo! Sports]
• In case you want to watch something while the Blues are on, here are Friday's games. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Fenway Park is being set up to play hockey. Stanley Cup of Chowder has some videos of the set up. [Stanley Cup of Chowder]
• Dominik only roots for teams that can't score goals. Outside of John Tavares and Matt Moulsan, the Islanders are having trouble putting the puck in the net. [Lighthouse Hockey]
• Dan Cleary will be out for a month after hurting himself against the Blues. [TSN]
• Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone are both day-to-day. Gotta love the NHL injury rules. [TSN]
• At 51, Slave Fetisov — one of the Russian Red Wings — will play for CSKA Moscow on Friday. And it's not a stunt. The team actually needs him. [TSN]
• Pierre LeBrun wants to copy baseball and have Summer meetings for the NHL. [ESPN]

Other links

I'm pretty sure we have some House fans around here. I'm told this is the show in a nutshell. [Pic]

Video

I don't know if this video is supposed to be a commentary about how movie trailers are pointless, but all I can say is I'd see this movie.

Poor College Student has the weekend shift. Send him links at gametimelinks(at)gmail.com

Ahh victory. So nice. And A2Y A2M, since I know you read this: How did that taste?

Blues news

• The Blues won AGAIN on the road. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
• Wanna know why the Blues wore blue on the road? The Wings asked to wear white, but forgot they did. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
• Even though the Blues won, goal scoring — or a lack thereof — remains a problem. [Belleville News-Democrat]
• Blues beat writer Jeremy Rutherford will be chatting at 1 p.m. today. [STLtoday]

Hockey news

• Here are your results from Wednesday. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Thursday's schedule. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Randy Moller is back. [Puck Daddy]
• After Martin Brodeur tied his shutout record, Terry Sawchuk has been in the news. Wanna know more about Sawchuk? Read and learn. [The Copper and Blue]
• A Coyotes fans think the NHL did right by suspending Ed Jovanovski. [Five For Howling]
• Mark Messier will be the GM of Canada's Juniors team. ... [ESPN]
• ... And it looks like Wayne Gretzky could be the head coach. Sorry Canada, you're being led by a cry baby and ... well, a guy who can't coach. [TSN]
• Ray Emery is having surgery to repair a torn muscle. [ESPN]
• Tyler Myers is trying to pull a Barret Jackman — win the Calder as a defenseman. [ESPN]

Other links

• This is either one really smart, or really stupid drug dealer. But hey, it sure beats calling all of you clients and telling them you're not selling. [Pic]
• I never had braces, but both my sisters and my best friend did. I made fun of them. A lot. [When I had braces...]
• The list is the weapon of the lazy blogger. Here is a list devoted to ranking lists. My head hurts. [Never.com]
• Michael Scott is very, very quotable. [IGN]

Video

Answer Man sends along this video. Treat it accordingly (language NSFW).

gametimelinks(at)gmail.com

by Tom Gannam - AP

Listen Polak, the puck goes in the net, not the player. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

View full size photo »

All games are exciting, but games against the Red Wings carry that little something extra. That something? Pure, unfiltered hate. I won't be wearing anything red tomorrow. Let's go Blues.

Blues news

• For your viewing pleasure: Blues vs. Wings. Tonight. Hopefully, there will be blood. [CBS Sports]
• Unreal: "You get a chance and you start thinking about it and trying to pick a spot. That's when you get into trouble." -- Brad Boyes about the Blues struggling offense. Shockingly, the team is going to try putting the puck ON net tonight. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
• Columbus and the Blues made a trade yesterday. In case you missed it, the Blues have acquired the new Trent Whitfield. Odds Pascal Pelletier even sniffs this NHL this year? [Belleville News-Democrat]
• Kick-ass read on Wendy Pleau and her battle with cancer. Only downside to this argument, I kind of think less of Larry Pleau. How do you not know how to use the microwave or washing machine? Come on, man. [ESPN]

Scouting the Enemy

• Detroit forward Valtteri Filppula got his wrist cast off, but is still a few weeks away from coming back. [Freep]
• Even though he's a Wing, I gotta admit Justin Abdelkader has a cool name. He's playing a bigger role for the Wings. Oh and Ville Leino will be scratched tonight. [MLive]
• To find more about the Wings, feel free to check out Winging it in Motown. If you want to fit in, just say things like "Steve Yzerman is a god." or "Our goaltending sucks." Or, you could just say nothing at all since that seems to be the norm over there.  [Winging It In Motown]

Hockey news

• Results from Tuesday. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Oh, Wednesday is another full slate of games. [Yahoo! Sports]
• In an investigation that won't change shit, Marc Savard' contract is being looked at by the NHL. Just like Chris Pronger and Marian Hossa before him. What happened to those guys? [Stanley Cup of Chowder]
• The Hurricanes Cam Ward is back. [ESPN]
• Montreal forward Ryan White was called up from the AHL, but the Canadiens didn't report it properly forcing his removal from the game. [ESPN]
• Team Canada (hockey) will be announced on Dec. 30. [CTV Olympics]
• Brendan Witt is a bad, bad man. [Puck Daddy]

Other links

• I have a good friend whose facebook updates 80 percent of the time about how awesome he is. He is, a facebrager. [facebraggers]
• MTV has a new show called "Jersey Shore" that has some of the most incredible (and not in a good way) people. Anyway, apparently (I don't watch the show) the characters all have some stupid nickname. If I were on this site, my name would be DJ Douchebag. What's yours? [Unlikely Words]

Video

This video is simply amazing. This is sexism at its finest, and by the I mean holy shit is this sexist.

Bonus video

Anyone know the weather forecast for tonight in Detroit?

Gametimelinks(at)gmail.com. I'll be working tonight so I won't be at the GDT, but you guys should still kick ass without me.

Did you find the hidden message in today's links?