Slotmachines » opoli broke free from tight cove

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues won a franchise record 52 games this season and general manager Doug Armstrong cant help but sum it up as a disappointment. "Were in the winning business and were not winning at the appropriate time of the year," Armstrong said Tuesday. "We have to fix that." The past two playoffs have been a carbon copy for the Blues. In 2013, St. Louis won the first two games against Los Angeles at home and then dropped the next four to the then-defending Stanley Cup champions. This season, St. Louis got the jump on defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago, then again lost four straight to end the season. Armstrong said that this years loss to the Blackhawks was worse. "I felt last year that we were coming off of a year where no one expected us to be good the year before and we wanted to prove that we were a good team," Armstrong said. "I expected us to take it to a higher level this year and the higher level was going to be a consistent regular season followed by a longer playoff run. So, this year, theres a true sense that we have squandered an opportunity and opportunities dont come a lot in this league." While the Blues have been one of the best teams each of the past three regular seasons -- St. Louis had 60 points in a lockout shortened 2012-13 campaign and 109 points in 2011-12 -- it has been a different story in April. Armstrong and coach Ken Hitchcock said that the Blues need to develop a killer instinct if they are to get over their post-season hump. "We werent able to create the gap in Games 3 and 4 and win on the road, which you have to do in the playoffs," Hitchcock said. "Thats the killer instinct that you need to have. We werent able to do it in either series, and it hurts. "Thats everyones responsibility. Mine, Dougs, the players, other coaches, everybody. Thats the part that hurts. We couldnt apply the killer instinct in Games 3 and 4 when we needed to in both years." Several players have been a part of the past three seasons, and figure to be part of the puzzle moving forward: forwards T.J. Oshie, Alexander Steen and David Backes, and defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Pietrangelo. Armstrong said it his responsibility to see if this core group can get to a new level or whether changes are needed. "I look at the regular season success this team has had over the last three years," Armstrong said "I think our point total is probably in the top three or four in the NHL over that time frame. So, were doing some things correctly. But were not doing enough correctly to win in April, May and June. Quite honestly, I got to quit worrying about May. We got to get out of April first and were not doing that." One area that will need to be addressed is goaltending. The Blues thought they had added the final piece when the traded for Ryan Miller just before the deadline. But Miller, who is a free agent, allowed 19 goals against the Blackhawks and his save percentage was just .897. Armstrong said that Jake Allen, who had another strong year in the American Hockey League, will be one of the teams net minders. Who the will partner with Allen is up in the air. "Its a two-way street with Ryan right now," Armstrong said. "He has opportunities. I want to sit and talk with him and get his feelings about our organization. See where he thinks were at, see if he even has any interest in being a St. Louis Blue." Nike Factory Outlet Ireland . Behind the talents of rookie Johnny Gaudreau, the Flames will look to keep pace Thursday night when they face the Minnesota Wild in the second of a six-game homestand. Nike Shoes Ireland Sale . The Opening Day starter played 53 games this season hitting .192 with nine home runs and 25 RBI. Red Sox manager John Farrell has decided to start Jose Iglesias at third base as of late instead of Middlebrooks. http://www.wholesalenikeshoesireland.com/. Price was hurt at the start of Wednesdays practice after facing just one shot as the team worked on their power play. He left the ice in discomfort and appeared to be favouring his leg. A Habs source told TSNs John Lu that Price suffered the injury in Sochi and not before the Olympics. Nike Shoes Online Ireland . Today, their baseball playing sons were reportedly traded for each other. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Cubs dealt minor league outfield Trevor Gretzky to the Angels for catcher Matt Scioscia. Nike Shoes Clearance Sale Ireland . They probably ruined Tim Duncans hopes of a career change, though. Duncan wants to be a point guard, coach Gregg Popovich revealed Saturday, a wish that wont be granted.After making through the TSN CFL POY voting gauntlet, both Montreals S.J. Green and Calgarys Brad Sinopoli have bested their earlier opponents to go head-to-head in the second semi-final match. Read the play breakdowns below and then make sure you go vote! S.J. Green Looking to grow the lead over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, new Montreal Alouettes starter Troy Smith turned to the right guy for a circus catch in veteran SJ Green. Already up 14-0 over the Tiger-Cats early in the second quarter in their Week 18 matchup in Guelph, Smith, a CFL rookie, lined up in the shotgun at the Ticats 40 yard line, surveying the field. Smiths 13-yard pass was a little off target but it didnt matter as Green layed out to make a spectacular one-handed catch. The Als receiver used quick reflexes in diving to his right and snatching the ball with his right hand before securing it against his body before falling to the ground. Brad Sinoploi The young Canadians transition from quarterback to receiver was extremely impressive, and highlighted by this dazzling one-handed catch. The Calgary Stampeders led the Montreal Alouettes 13-7 early in the third quarter in Week 3 and were looking for more. Thats when Kevin Glenn found Brad Sinopooli down the right sideline for a terrific catch.dddddddddddd. Glenn took the ball from Calgarys 51 yard line before scrambling to the right side and throwing a bomb on the run. There Sinopoli broke free from tight coverage by Montreals Byron Parker and extended for a leaping one-handed catch at the Als 30-yard line. Sinopoli wasnt done there though as he rumbled an extra 14 yards before Parker managed to push him out of bounds. S.J. Green Looking to grow the lead over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, new Montreal Alouettes starter Troy Smith turned to the right guy for a circus catch in veteran SJ Green. Already up 14-0 over the Tiger-Cats early in the second quarter in their Week 18 matchup in Guelph, Smith, a CFL rookie, lined up in the shotgun at the Ticats 40 yard line, surveying the field. Smiths 13-yard pass was a little off target but it didnt matter as Green layed out to make a spectacular one-handed catch. The Als receiver used quick reflexes in diving to his right and snatching the ball with his right hand before securing it against his body before falling to the ground. So who will move on to face Geroy Simon I the finals of the 2013 TSN CFL POY Showdown? The choice is yours, so vote now! ' ' '