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Hitchcock loving play of line with ‘European creative chemistry’

Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Tarasenko, Barret Jackman

St. Louis Blues’ Barret Jackman, center, is congratulated by teammates Patrik Berglund, left, of Sweden, and Vladimir Tarasenko, of Russia, after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

AP

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock is tickled pink over the play of his all-European line with Vladimir Sobotka, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Patrik Berglund.

Dan O’Neill of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch shares the coach’s thoughts on his newly formed line that’s having big-time success under the arch.

“We kind of threw stuff against the wall with that line,” Hitchcock said. “We didn’t really know where that would get to. But they have some European creative chemistry that is unique. They play an old way, a way that’s probably not familiar for most people watching the game.”

Each player has been on a tear lately.

Tarasenko has 12 points in his past nine games including four goals. Sobotka has 11 points in that span and Berglund has six points with three goals.

Seeing the two Vlads carrying on the way they have has helped give the Blues a lift in their race with the Blackhawks in the Central Division. Having them step their game up while Alex Steen is out with a concussion makes their production even more timely.

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