2011–12 St. Louis Blues season

Off-Season

The Blues extended contracts for all four of their coaches on May 26: Brad Shaw and Ray Bennette (assistant coaches), Corey Hirsch (goaltending consultant) and Scott Masters (video coach).

Forward David Backes is named team captain, filling a vacancy left by Eric Brewer's departure during the previous season.

Regular season

October

November

On November 3, St. Louis Cardinals' ace pitcher Chris Carpenter laced up the skates for a practice session with other Blues' players, taking shots and making passes. He played ice hockey in high school at 16 and was an all-state defenseman his last three years for Trinity High School in Manchester, New Hampshire, with scouts from the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins pursuing him for a hockey career, which he ultimately turned down to pursue a career in baseball. He loved this hockey experience with the Blues, holding season tickets, and will be at Cardinals Night on November 4.

The Blues celebrated Cardinals Night before the game on November 4. Former Cardinals manager Tony La Russa dropped the ceremonial first puck.

The Blues fired head coach Davis Payne (6–7–0 record; 12 points for 13th in Western Conference) on November 6 and replaced him with Ken Hitchcock. Hitchcock became the 24th head coach in Blues' history and agreed to a contract through to the 2012–13 season.

The Blues paid tribute before a home game on November 8, to two of their past players, Pavol Demitra (1996–2004) and Igor Korolev (1992–1994), who died in a September 7 plane crash near Yaroslavl, Russia, that carried the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team. Both players wore uniform number 38 while with the team. The accident killed 45 players, coaches, team personnel and members of the flight crew. It is the single-largest tragedy in the history of professional hockey.

Chris Stewart was suspended for three games on November 16 as a result of his hit on Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall in the previous night's game.

Left-winger David Perron was cleared for contact in practice skating on November 19. He has not played since suffering a concussion on November 4, 2010, missing the remaining 72 games last season.

Ken Hitchcock is off to the best start for a new coach for the Blues in their team history after 10 games, with a 7–1–2 (16 points out of a possible 20) record, an 80% success rate, surpassing Joel Quenneville, who started with a 70% success rate through his first 10 games.

On November 28, new goaltender Brian Elliott was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week for the week ending November 27, posting a 3–0–0 (0.98 goals against average, 0.963 save percentage and one shutout) record with wins over the Pittsburgh Penguins (3–2 in overtime), Calgary Flames (2–0) and Columbus Blue Jackets (2–1). He presently leads the League with his 1.31 GAA and .951 save percentage, and tied with his three shutouts.

December

On December 2, injured forward David Perron was activated for the December 3 game in St. Louis, his first regular season game since suffering his concussion against the San Jose Sharks on November 4, 2010. He missed 97 games.

January

Ron Caron, former Blues general manager (1983–1993, December 1996–June 1997), died at 82 in his Montreal home on January 9, the night before the Blues shut out the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre, a team for which Caron was a longtime scout and assistant general manager. Caron led the Blues to a 438–405–127 record during his years, including a 47–22–11 (105 points) in 1990–91, the third-best record in Blues' history. The Blues qualified for the playoffs in each of Caron's 12 years as GM. Former Blues' Hall of Fame center Bernie Federko said he did not know a more passionate hockey man in the world.

Goaltender Brian Elliott was named to the 2012 All-Star Game in Ottawa on January 29.

February

Andy McDonald recorded an assist on the first goal of the game on February 12, his first game back after missing 51 games recovering from a concussion.

David Perron was named the Third Star of the Week after scoring six goals, an assist and posting a +5 plus-minus rating in four games in the week ending February 12. He has 24 points (10 goals and 14 assists) in 30 games.

March

The Blues climbed atop the NHL standings with a 3–1 win at home over the Anaheim Ducks on March 8, giving them an NHL-best 93 points (43–18–7). It is the latest date the Blues have been first this late in a season since March 9, 2000. They were 30th (last) in the NHL as recently as the 2005–06 season. They have an NHL-leading 46 points since January 1, and are a perfect 35–0 when scoring at least three goals in a game. They were 6–7 when Head Coach Ken Hitchcock took over on November 6.

The Blues announced they had signed 19-year-old center Jaden Schwartz, their first overall 2010 draft pick to an entry-level contract on March 12. He was immediately added to the Blues' roster. He scored in his first NHL game on March 17 in Tampa against the Lightning. The goal proved to be the game-winner in the 3–1 win, the 13th player in Blues' history to perform the feat. In that same game, the Blues became the first team to attain 100 points, as well as the first to clinch a playoff spot.

Alexander Steen was activated on March 25 after missing 39 games due to concussion syndrome since last playing on December 27. Kris Russell also returned to the lineup since experiencing a concussion on February 23.

The Blues set their all-time franchise record with Brian Elliott's eighth shutout of the season (in only 35 appearances) on March 25, giving the Blues 14 for the season. Additionally, Jaroslav Halak has six shutouts in 43 appearances. The duo broke the previous record of 13 set by Glenn Hall and Jacques Plante from the 1968–69 season. Elliott also tied Hall with his eighth shutout of the season, though Hall still owns the team record with 16 shutouts.

The Blues set their all-time franchise record with their 30th home win on March 27. More records were set with goalie Brian Elliott's Most Consecutive Shutout Minutes (186:33), surpassing Manny Legace's 186:15. His ninth shutout against the Nashville Predators surpassed Glenn Hall's record of eight for a season. Elliott and Halak have combined for a modern-era NHL record of 15 shutouts, extending their previous record of 14 set March 25. The team's 105 points are their second-best in their history, surpassed only by the 1999–2000 season when they earned 114 points and won their first Presidents' Trophy.

They clinched the Central Division title on March 31.

April

Brian Elliott's shutout streak ended on April 4, after 241:33. It was a new franchise record beating Manny Legace's previous record of 186:15 set from Dec. 28, 2007 to Jan. 8, 2008.

Elliott and Jaroslav Halak captured the William Jennings Trophy for the first time in leading the NHL in fewest goals allowed by a team's goaltenders with 165. Excluding 10 shootout goals allowed, the Blues allowed only 155 goals over their 82-game regular season, breaking the all-time record for fewest goals allowed in an 82-game season, which had been set at 164 by the 2003–04 New Jersey Devils. It was only the second time in franchise history that the Blues goaltenders were awarded the William Jennings Trophy, as Roman Turek and Jamie McLennan had received the honor in the 1999–2000 season. The Blues also tied the modern NHL record with the 1969–70 Chicago Blackhawks, with 15 shutouts. Combined with the 5 shutouts against the Blues, 20 of the Blues' 82 regular-season games ended in a shutout. Elliott and Halak are the first tandem goaltenders to record at least six shutouts each in the same season; Elliot had nine. He led the NHL with a 1.56 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage. His three consecutive shutouts tied the franchise record of Greg Millen in the 1988–89 season. Halak ranked fifth with a 1.97 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. They will be honored on June 20 at the 2012 NHL Awards.

The Blues' lost only six of 41 home games, and their .793 own-ice percentage was their best in franchise history.

Playoffs

Main article: 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs

The Blues ended the 2011–12 regular season as the Western Conference's 2nd seed. They defeated the #7 seed San Jose Sharks 4–1 in the first round, winning their first playoff series since 2002. They next faced the #8 seed Los Angeles Kings in the second round and were swept out of the playoffs by the eventual Stanley Cup champions.

Game three of the Blues-Sharks (Monday) April 16 playoff was the highest-rated Blues' game ever broadcast on Fox Sports Midwest with an 11.0 household rating. Game three of the 2001 playoff game against the Dallas Stars was the previous high with a 9.9 household rating, followed by a 9.8 rating for game four of that series, and fourth-highest a 9.7 rating for the game one opener with the Sharks on (Thursday) April 12, 2012.

Standings

Schedule and results

Pre-season

Regular season

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|- Legend: |}

Playoffs

Key: Win Loss

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Player statistics

Skaters

(Regular season through games of April 21, 2012) FINAL

Stats

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes

|}

• indicates not currently on the active roster.

• indicates on Injured Reserve.

‡Traded away mid-season, date of last game in ( ). Stats reflect time with Blues only.

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Blues, date of first game in ( ). Stats reflect time with Blues only. Bold = leading team in category.

|}

Goaltenders

(Updated through April 7, 2012) FINAL

Stats

Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime losses; GA = Goals against; GAA= Goals against average; SA= Shots against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save percentage; SO= Shutouts

|} BOLD = individual leading NHL * = Modern NHL Record

|}

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

The Blues have been involved in the following transactions during the 2011–12 season

Trades

Free agents signed

Free agents lost

Claimed via Waivers

Lost via waivers

Lost via retirement

Player signings

Draft picks

St. Louis' picks at the 2011 NHL entry draft in Saint Paul, Minnesota, at the Xcel Energy Center from June 24–25, 2011.

The Blues had no first-round pick in the draft, because of the trade with the Colorado Avalanche during the 2010–2011 season.

Roster

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Farm teams

Peoria Rivermen

The Peoria Rivermen are the Blues American Hockey League affiliate in 2011–12.

Alaska Aces

The Alaska Aces are the Blues affiliate in the ECHL.

References

References

1. National Hockey League. (2010). "The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011". Triumph Books.
2. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=563890 Blues Extend Contracts for 4 Coaches: Shaw, Bennett, Hirsch and Masters each get contract extensions], NHL.com (May 26, 2011)
3. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=598773 Carpenter Laces Up the Skates: St. Louis Cardinals' ace joins Blues for practice on Thursday morning], NHL.com (November 3, 2011)
4. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=598586 Cardinals Night with the Blues is Nov. 4: Manager Tony La Russa will drop the ceremonial puck prior to the game], NHL.com (November 2, 2011)
5. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=599200 Blues Hire Ken Hitchcock as Head Coach: Davis Payne was relieved of his duties as head coach on Sunday night], NHL.com (November 6, 2011)
6. link. (November 10, 2011 , NHL.com (November 8, 2011))
7. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=601844 Stewart suspended for three games: Forward was suspended after hitting Detroit's Kronwall on Nov. 15], NHL.com (November 16, 2011)
8. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=602185 Perron Cleared for Contact: Blues forward is one step closer to a return to the lineup], NHL.com (November 19, 2011)
9. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=603515 Hitchock off to Best Start in Team History], NHL.com (November 27, 2011)
10. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=603599 Elliott Named Third Star of the Week: Blues goaltender was 3–0–0 with wins over Pittsburgh, Calgary and Columbus], NHL.com (November 28, 2011)
11. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=604214 Perron Returns Saturday vs. Chicago: Forward has been out since Nov. 4, 2010 with post-concussion syndrome], NHL.com (December 2, 2011)
12. [http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/ron-caron-dies-former-blues-gm/article_4827f580-3ba6-11e1-92ca-0019bb30f31a.html Ron Caron dies; former Blues GM], ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' (January 10, 2012)
13. [http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jeff-gordon/gordon-ron-caron-was-one-of-a-kind/article_43f18d76-3bb2-11e1-84ea-0019bb30f31a.html Jeff Gordon: Ron Caron was one of a kind], ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' (January 10, 2012)
14. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=610950 Blues Mourn the Passing of Ron Caron], NHL.com (January 10, 2012)
15. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=610970 Remembering Ron Caron], NHL.com (January 10, 2012)
16. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=611363 Elliott Headed to 2012 All-Star Game: All-Star Weekend will be held in Ottawa from Jan. 26 – Jan. 29], NHL.com (January 12, 2012)
17. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=616706 McDonald Gets an Assist in Return], NHL.com (February 13, 2012). Accessed 2012-02-15. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120218223916/http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=616706 Archived] February 18, 2012.
18. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=616702 Perron Named to NHL Stars of the Week: Blues forward had six goals in the week ending Sunday, February 12], NHL.com (February 13, 2012). Accessed 2012-02-15. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120218223911/http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=616702 Archived] February 18, 2012.
19. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=621836 Blues Sign Schwartz to Entry Level Deal: Schwartz, the Blues' first-round pick in 2010, will join the team in Chicago], NHL.com (March 12, 2012)
20. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=622749 Schwartz Scores in NHL Debut Saturday], NHL.com (Mar. 17, 2012)
21. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=622739 Blues Clinch Spot in Stanley Cup Playoffs: The Blues become the first team in NHL guaranteed to play in postseason], NHL.com (Mar. 17, 2012)
22. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=614764 Steen Activated from Injured Reserve: Forward has been sidelined with concussion symptoms since Dec. 27], NHL.com (Mar. 25, 2012)
23. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=624082 Blues Set Franchise Record for Shutouts: Halak, Elliott surpass team record set by Plante, Hall during 1968–69 season], NHL.com (March 25, 2012)
24. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=624293 Blues Set New Team Record for Home Wins: With a win Tuesday vs. Nashville, the Blues now have 30 wins at home], NHL.com (Mar. 27, 2012)
25. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=624867 Blues Clinch Central Division Title], NHL.com (Mar. 31, 2012)
26. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=626057 Elliott's Shutout Streak Ends at 241:33], NHL.com (Apr. 5, 2012)
27. "2011-12 NHL Summary".
28. "2011-12 NHL Schedule and Results".
29. "2011-12 St. Louis Blues Schedule and Results".
30. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=626622 Halak, Elliott Capture Jennings Trophy: Blues goalie tandem allowed fewest goals during the 2011–12 regular season], NHL.com (Apr. 8, 2012)
31. [http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-time-has-come-for-blues-to-grow-up/article_61cef927-ecf3-5ba2-a334-8ea757915d80.html Bernie: Time has come for Blues to grow up], ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' (Mar. 3, 2013)
32. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=627714 Game 1 is Highest-Rated Since 2002: Blues / Sharks game generated a 9.7 household rating on FS Midwest], NHL.com (Apr. 13, 2012)
33. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=628337 Game 3 is Highest-Rated Ever on FS Midwest], NHL.com (Apr. 17, 2012)
34. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=603599 Elliott Named Third Star of the Week], NHL.com (November 28, 2011)
35. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=616702 Perron Named to NHL Stars of the Week], NHL.com (February 13, 2012). Accessed 2012-02-15. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120218223911/http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=616702 Archived] February 18, 2012.
36. [http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=621725 Bryzgalov, Kovalchuk, Halak named Three Stars], NHL.com (March 12, 2012)
37. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=567244 Blues Acquire Grachev from Rangers]
38. "Blues Acquire Kris Russell".
39. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=618990 Blues Get Second Round Pick for Bishop]
40. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=562301 Blues Sign Forward Kyle Hagel] NHL.com (May 9, 2011)
41. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568132 Blues Sign Goaltender Brian Elliott] NHL.com (July 1, 2011)
42. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568332 Blues Sign Defenseman Huskins] NHL.com (July 2, 2011)
43. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568431 Blues Sign Prospect Brett Sterling] NHL.com (July 4, 2011)
44. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568435 Blues Sign Scott Nichol] NHL.com (July 5, 2011)
45. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568734 Blues Sign Arnott to One-Year Deal] NHL.com (July 6, 2011)
46. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568739 Langenbrunner Signs with Blues] NHL.com (July 6, 2011)
47. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569203 Blues Sign Cheechoo to One-Year Deal] NHL.com (July 13, 2011)
48. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=585873 Blues Sign Syvret to One-Year Deal] NHL.com (August 8, 2011)
49. [http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/article_f81fcc90-c1fa-11e0-9825-0019bb30f31a.html Blues sign defenseman Syvret], ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' (August 8, 2011)
50. [http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568160 Columbus Blue Jackets Sign Forwards Andrew Joudrey, Nicholas Drazenovic to Two-Way NHL/AHL Contracts]
51. [http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568746 Coyotes Sign Oystrick, Arsene & Watkins to one-year contracts]
52. [http://panthers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569188 Panthers Sign D Tyson Strachan]
53. [http://www.hersheybears.com/news/detail.php?id=3557 GRAHAM MINK RETURNS TO HERSHEY LINEUP FOR 2011–12]
54. [http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569425 Devils sign Cam Janssen]
55. [http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569685 Wings sign Conklin to one-year]
56. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=595425 Blues Claim Chorney Off Waivers]
57. "Oilers claim Chorney; assign Teubert to Barons".
58. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=567729 Paul Kariya Announces Retirement]
59. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=564249 Berglund Signs New Contract with Blues], NHL.com (May 31, 2011)
60. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=564561 Polak Signs Contract Extension], NHL.com (June 2, 2011)
61. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=564700 Blues Re-Sign T.J. Hensick], NHL.com (June 6, 2011)
62. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=565378 Blues Re-Sign Defenseman Nikita Nikitin], NHL.com (June 9, 2011)
63. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=565637 Blues Re-Sign Porter to One-Year Deal], NHL.com (June 13, 2011)
64. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=564744 Sobotka Signs Contract Extension], NHL.com (June 15, 2011)
65. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=565880 Blues Sign Sebastian Wannstrom], NHL.com (June 15, 2011)
66. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=566687 Blues Sign Crombeen to 2-Year Extension], NHL.com (June 22, 2011)
67. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=567744 Blues Sign Oshie to One-Year Deal], NHL.com (June 30, 2011)
68. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=567993 Blues Re-Sign Matt D'Agostini], NHL.com (July 1, 2011)
69. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568029 Blues Sign Prospect Cody Beach], NHL.com (July 1, 2011)
70. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568094 Blues Re-Sign Adam Cracknell], NHL.com (July 1, 2011)
71. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568515 Blues Re-Sign Ben Bishop], NHL.com (July 5, 2011)
72. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569385 Blues Sign Reaves to One-Year Deal], NHL.com (July 18, 2011)
73. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=610670 Reaves Signs Two-Year Extension], NHL.com (January 9, 2012)
74. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=612432 Blues Sign Elliott to Two-Year Extension], NHL.com (January 18, 2012)
75. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=621836 Blues Sign Schwartz to Entry Level Deal], NHL.com (March 12, 2012)
76. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=624431 Blues Sign Adam Cracknell to One-Year Deal], NHL.com (March 27, 2012)
77. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=628888 Blues Sign Goaltender Karpowich], NHL.com (April 20, 2012)
78. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=632240 Blues Sign 2010 Pick Jani Hakanpaa], NHL.com (May 21, 2012)
79. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=633082 Blues Sign Jordan Binnington], NHL.com (May 29, 2012)
80. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=633537 Blues Sign Top Draft Pick from 2011], NHL.com (June 1, 2012)
81. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=633609 Blues, Tarasenko Agree to Entry Level Deal], NHL.com (June 2, 2012)
82. [http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=559495 Blues Won't Have 1st-Round Pick in 2011: Pick will be transferred to Colorado as part of condition of earlier trade], (April 12, 2011)