Blues Gameday: 11-10-09 – Blues vs. Canucks

The Blues have been a dismal team at home, posting only a 2-5-1 record for 5 points in 8 games. Yes, that is 5 out of a possible 16 points. The fourth worst home record in the NHL. Vancouver is only 3-8-0 on the road, taking 6 out of 22 points. Vancouver’s total record is 10-8-0 for 20 points. Which is good enough to be 3rd in the Pacific Divion behind Colorado (26 points), and Calgary (21 points). The Blues are currently last in the Central Division, but only 6 points out of first.

Maybe the Blues need to ask the NHL “what gives” with the scheduling. This is the fourth game in a row where the Blues have faced a top 10 power play unit. Vancouver is currently 4th in the NHL, converting at a 25% pace. The Blues are still running at a lowly  14.3% on the power play, which is 26th in the NHL. Even more alarming is the power play at home. It is rated 27th, converting at a 12.1% rate. The Vancouver power play is lead by newcomer Christian Ehrhoff. The blueliner has 9 power play points (1G-8A) so far this season. Mikael Samuelsson also has 4 power play goals.

The Blues will counter with their surging penalty kill, which is no up to 7th in the NHL at a 83.6% kill rate. Some Blues fans may not want to admit it, but the return of Eric Brewer has helped the penalty kill. Since his return Eric is averaging 4:34 in short handed time on ice, tops on the team. He came back about the same time the penalty kill improved. There has to be a correlation there. If the Blues are to win this game, the penalty kill needs to neutralize the stout Vancouver power play.

Can the Blues power play get on track tonight? The revamped units have produced the same as the previous, nothing. Tonight would be the night to break out. Mainly because getting to the power play shouldn’t be too hard. Vancouver is 9th in the NHL with 245 team PIMs. They also have the 3rd most hooking penalties, 6th most holding and 11th most interference in the league. Combined their penalty taking proficiency with their 17th ranked penalty kill (and 22nd on the road), the Blues should have a good chance to net some power play goals. In their eight losses the Canucks have allowed 10 power play goals in 29 power plays. That is a horrid 65.5% kill rate. The Blues must find a way to get the puck in the net on the man advantage.

The Blues should be trying to get pucks deep and cycle tonight. This will give them the easiest avenue to the needed power play opportunities.

Getting the puck in the net is always easier said than done. Vancouver has maintained solid goaltending after some roster turnover. Posting a 2.60 GAA in  the 08-09 season to 2.56 GAA(9th lowest in NHL) in the 09-10 season to date. Is it Roberto Luonogo? He’s been hurt, so its not just him. Is it the defensemen? Possibly, but there was a good amount of roll over on their blueline. Is it the system? Could be  with Alain Vigneault behind the bench still. The Blues have a tough task against Luongo, Andrew Raycroff, or Cory Schneider.

Let’s hope Andy Murray mentioned that the Blues are 4-1-2 when scoring first and 1-5-2 when allowing the first goal. Chris Mason or Ty Conklin will give the team a chance, they just need to press for that first goal.

Something has to Give:

The Canucks have outscored their opponents 6-2 in the third period of their last four games. The Blues are tied for the 3rd lowest total of 3rd period goals allowed, 11. When up after 2 periods, Vancouver is 7-1-0 and the Blues are 5-0-2. This game will come down to the 3rd Period and who can take a lead in to it.

Difference Makers:

The Goalies. As I mentioned before the Canucks let up the leagues 9th lowset goals against per game total. Blues have a 2.53 GAA in 09-10, for 8th lowest in the NHL and have allowed 2 goals or fewer three straight. Your best penalty killer is your goalie and with tonights tilt featuring a good power play and a bad penalty kill, the goalies level of play will be very important.

It looks like Brad Winchester, Carlo Colaiacovo, and Alex Pietrangelo are the scratches for tonight’s game. Which shouldn’t be too surprising. Alex has eight games in and his ELC will kick in at game ten. Expect Alex to sit out a few while the Blues see what they have with everyone else. It’s a little cumbersome for the Blues to carry eight Defensemen, something will have to give eventually. Alex has trended down a little since his first two or three solid games. A couple days off won’t hurt him.

What might be the most interesting is that Colaiacovo isn’t available again. Is this a lingering issues with the Steve Ott hit masquerading as the flu?

Has Eller replaced Brad Winchester? Most likely not right now, but that could change. If Eller keeps playing well, it will be hard to justify sending him back to Peoria. I would supposed Winchester is now fighting with Cam Janssen for ice time.

Daniel Sedin (foot) may return tonight. Loungo would be available to start, but it appears he is “out” with flu symptoms. Lou will be backing up Raycroff tonight with Schneider sent back to the Minors. Steve Bernier was also listed on the Vancouver site as potentially out with the flu, but could likely play.

Vancouver has had very good starting goaltending from Raycroff and Schneider. Raycroft is 3-0-0 in his last three games, stopping 69 of 72 shots. Schneider started vs. Dallas and stopped 45 of 47 shots in a 2-1 loss on Friday night.

Who to Watch for?

David Perron

Last Season vs. Vancouver David Perron had 1 Goal (GWG), 3 Points, and an Even plus/minus rating. He was also one of the Blues best players versus Vancouver in the playoffs last year.