Seg. 4: Bernie Federko talk Blues playoff race

Hockey Hall of Famer and Fox Sports Midwest analyst, Bernie Federko, joined Frank Cusumano on The Press Box to talk about the Blues’ final push for the playoffs, the impact of Mike Yeo, Vladimir Tarasenko’s recent “drive” and why the team is playing better since the departure of defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. Read a few excerpts and listen to the complete conversation below. On who the Blues may play in the first round assuming they make the playoffs “I think the most important thing is just to win games. The Blues right now are on a roll. You continue to win and who knows where you’re going to be. If Nashville continues to win, you may end up in a situation where you’re the first Wild Card team and you end up playing (the first team in the Pacific Division).” What about new coach Mike Yeo has jumped out at you? “I just think he’s very poised, very relaxed. When you listen to him talk, there’s no panic. This is a team that’s been up and down…he really hasn’t changed his demeanor at all. I think they’re much more committed to eachother, the players. He’s changed a few things defensively. (Yeo is) just a calm, cool guy.” What are you seeing from Jake Allen to credit his turnaround? “His positioning, for the most part. He’s a guy that plays really well when he’s square to the shot. I think he’s just playing with a bunch of confidence. It was not just Jake (that was struggling in January). I think it was a team situation that was going on. I think that he’s back to being himself again. I think he’s changed a little bit about his game. He’s worked with Marty Brodeur and that obviously has helped. He’s right now in a zone.” On the team’s power play unit playing better after trading Kevin Shattenkirk: “It seems like they’re very poised right now. They’re moving the puck very, very quickly. There’s still a lot of skill on this hockey club. He would still make this team a better one when he’s on it. But when he’s not there, someone else has to step in. They’re showing (they can still get things done).” What’re you seeing from V. Tarasenko right now as he’s seemingly reached another level? “I think the will is there right now. He’s such a talented player, with the size and drive he has, when he wants to do something, he’s hard to stop. Right now, I think he’s in that groove right now where he’s got the will and the drive that he’s making things happen. In an 82-game schedule, it’s hard to be that way every night. I think he’s taking more upon himself. He knows he has to do more and he has done that. Hopefully he’s going to peak when the playoffs start. He’s one of those few players in the league that can be a gamebreaker…and right now he’s got everything going.”