After Ken Hitchcock was hired to replace former head coach Davis Payne after just 13 games this season, nobody could have expected the huge amount of success fans have seen from the Blues since. Despite a recent two game mini-slump, the Blues sit in sixth place in the NHL's Western Conference with 47 points after 37 games played. During the last eight weeks, the Blues have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL.
Obviously Hitchcock should garner a lot of the attention. His influence certainly has changed the culture at the Scottrade Center and fostered an environment of winning. But the players have done their job as well. As a collective group, the Blues have stepped up their game on both sides of the ice.
But who is the Blues MVP thus far this season? Who has been most valuable for the Blues as they have made this unimaginable charge? Lets take a look at the candidates.
Captain David Backes has been a steady force all season on the Blues top line, which is often matched up against the opponents best player. Backes leads the team with 25 points, is a plus nine, and has one of the Blues two short handed goals this season.
T.J. Oshie has the Blues other shorthanded goal and is second on the team in goals scored with 12 scored on the season. While Oshie is finding the back of the net, he has been a tenacious leader on the ice as well despite playing with an injured wrist for much of the last six weeks.
Brian Elliott has been a force between the pipes for the Blues all season. Elliott has a 14-4 record, a 1.63 goals against average, and has stopped 94% of the shots he has faced this season. Enough said.
Alex Steen is the team leader in points and in plus/minus rating at plus 20. Steen, who recently suffered a concussion and may be out of the lineup for some time, serves as an important factor on both special teams units while playing alongside Backes on the Blues top line.
Finally, defenseman Alex Pietrangelo leads all Blues with over 24 minutes of ice time per game. Pietrangelo has five goals, six assists, and a plus/minus rating of plus 12, tops among all defenseman on the club.
So who is the Blues most valuable player? Vote now and comment below any of your additional thoughts!
Sources:
Obviously Hitchcock should garner a lot of the attention. His influence certainly has changed the culture at the Scottrade Center and fostered an environment of winning. But the players have done their job as well. As a collective group, the Blues have stepped up their game on both sides of the ice.
But who is the Blues MVP thus far this season? Who has been most valuable for the Blues as they have made this unimaginable charge? Lets take a look at the candidates.
Captain David Backes has been a steady force all season on the Blues top line, which is often matched up against the opponents best player. Backes leads the team with 25 points, is a plus nine, and has one of the Blues two short handed goals this season.
T.J. Oshie has the Blues other shorthanded goal and is second on the team in goals scored with 12 scored on the season. While Oshie is finding the back of the net, he has been a tenacious leader on the ice as well despite playing with an injured wrist for much of the last six weeks.
Brian Elliott has been a force between the pipes for the Blues all season. Elliott has a 14-4 record, a 1.63 goals against average, and has stopped 94% of the shots he has faced this season. Enough said.
Alex Steen is the team leader in points and in plus/minus rating at plus 20. Steen, who recently suffered a concussion and may be out of the lineup for some time, serves as an important factor on both special teams units while playing alongside Backes on the Blues top line.
Finally, defenseman Alex Pietrangelo leads all Blues with over 24 minutes of ice time per game. Pietrangelo has five goals, six assists, and a plus/minus rating of plus 12, tops among all defenseman on the club.
So who is the Blues most valuable player? Vote now and comment below any of your additional thoughts!
Sources:
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