from Bernie Miklasz of the St, Louis Post-Dispatch,

What we haven’t seen from the Blues is consistent play, effort or goaltending. The Blues have strayed from the mandatory discipline and the determination that gives Hitchcock Hockey its winning structure.

The offensive-zone pressure has evaporated too often. The out-of-position defensive breakdowns are calamitous. The collapse of the system was brought home during the month of February, with the Blues getting outscored 26-11 and skidding to a 1-5-1 record at Scottrade.

As the Blues prepare to take on Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose and Anaheim, we’re waiting for the players to reestablish a lost identity.

The expedition has been complicated by injuries to top-six forwards Alex Steen, Andy McDonald and Vladimir Tarsenko. But after last season’s admirable pushback against adversity, the Blues aren’t allowed to use injuries to rationalize the failure to persevere.

The likable team that rolled up 109 points must find a way to get back on point. The objective remains simple, even if the Blues insist on making it difficult.

more