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Sometimes stats say: Play it safe

Using an outside analytics firm, the Blues quantify which lines play together successfully and which ones don't. Coach Ken Hitchcock can tell which matchups work against specific teams just by using data that are quickly collected and handed out between periods. "Last year I played three players that together I thought had good chemistry," Hitchcock says. "When I looked back at their shifts, the data showed me otherwise." This offseason the Blues made a significant move in goal, parting ways with former Vezina winner Ryan Miller and his big contract-allowing them to sign center Paul Stasny-and re-signing Brian Elliott, who has shared time in net with Miller and Jaroslav Halak. Advanced stats showed that Elliott's save percentage was considerably higher when he played deep in the net. So Elliott cut down the number of times he aggressively came out of the net. Elliott has also excelled in "home plate" save percentage (4) in part because he doesn't overchallenge. His next challenge is leading the franchise to its first Cup. "It's his turn now," Hitchcock says.

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