from Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch,

At least with no D, they can’t spell the words that would best describe their play: ormant, isappointing, epressing.

The St. Louis Blues’ defense is the heart of the team’s issues. Though there’s not much heart out there, either.

Upon firing coach Mike Yeo, general manager Doug Armstrong delivered numerous passionate lines at the news conference last week. Beyond witty quips like the “7-11” one about the net front always open, there were some intense pleas for intense play, as well as the admission that the equity the core players once built had evaporated. And when Army said Blues fans are blue-collar workers who spend hard-earned money — and deserve to see hard-nosed hockey? That’s the kind of line a fan doesn’t forget.

And those fans watched whatever excuse the Blues had for a defense Saturday night against Winnipeg.

Now, if Armstrong’s players played like Armstrong talks, the Blues wouldn’t be in this bind.

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