Blues Gameday: 11-25-09 – Blues vs. Stars

Game Info

Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Game-time: 7:00 pm Central
TV: Versus (HD)
Radio: KMOX 1120 AM

Given the Blues general lack of offensive production this year, an even split on the home stand should likely be considered a victory. The Blue snow more on to the friendly confines of opposing arenas to try to get their game going.

Food For Thought

Since the lock out the Blues have an 8-7-3 record against the Stars.

Chris Mason has yielded eight goals against in three games versus the Stars as a member of the Blues. Five of the eight were in the April 4^th, 2009 game which was a 5-4 loss in Overtime. In his other two contests against Dallas Mason allowed two goals or less.

The Stars have 5 players who have as many points or more than the Blues leading scorer, Erik Johnson (15).

Richards – 28 points in 21 games.
Neal – 22 points (11 goals) in 19 games.
Eriksson – 20 points (9 goals) in 23 games.
Riberio – 19 points in 23 games.
Morrow – 15 points in 23 games.

Dallas is a stingy team. Their team GAA is 10^th best in the NHL with an average of 2.65 goals against per game. Their offense is tied for 10^th best in the NHL, scoring an average of 3 goals for per game. They have scored three goals or more in 13 of their 23 games. Dallas certainly likes to shoot the puck. They average 31.5 shots per game, 8^th most per game in the NHL. Which is a far cry from last year’s Dallas team who averaged 2.73 goals for per game and allowed 3.06 per game. Marty Turco sure appears to be back and showing that the 08-09 campaign was a fluke.

In case you have missed Roman Polak so far this season, he has four points with a plus-4 rating in 19 + minutes on the ice a night. He has been shutting down the opponents top units very well. With the return of EJ and Brewer, Polak has seemingly been forgotten in terms of fan discussion and the blue line. I assure you Polak is doing well. What a fine top 4 stopper he is becoming.

Can the Blues find a way to convert?
Can David Backes find himself attacking the net again and not just hitting everyone?
Can Brad Boyes elevate his game to a higher level to be the top producer this team expects (and needs) him to be?
Can Paul Kariya shake off the rust of aging and tally a point or two?
Can Andy McDonald start attacking the net with his speed instead of rushing wide?
Can Berglund elevate his game and play an impactful game?

There is roughly $18 million in cap hits being questioned there. Roughly $18 million in cap hits that scored 4 goals over 30 total games played on the six game home stand. That is barely a pace of 11 goals over 82 games.

Something has to give:

David Backes scored so many goals in bunches last year. I just get the feeling at some point the monkey will fall off and he will put up a two goal, three point night.

Start taking the game to the net and using that big Minnesota body to clear some space. Getting dirty get him going, at some point the puck will have to go in for him.

Difference Makers:

Can the Blues power play rediscover its ability to convert? That could truly be the difference maker again. Too many games have gone by where the Blues could keep the game even or take a lead off a power play that has turned in to nothing.

Andy Strickland has a nice write up on the power play over at hockehbuzz.com.

Can the Dallas penalty kill handle the anemic Blues power play? All signs should point to “yes”. Maybe it’s finally the Blues turn to break out? Until the become less predictable and solidify a top 5 that can grow to each others tendencies, were going to see more of the same.

Player Notes:

Brad Boyes will be skating in his 350^th career NHL game.

I would expect some changes to the line up after the loss Monday night. Hopefully we will be seeing Alex Pietrangelo get some ice time.

Dallas does love to scrap. I could see Brad Winchester playing in place of Patrik Berglund. Reunite the McSteenbeen line and roll a “4^th line” of Winchester-Tkachuk-Janssen.

The Blues do have a day off before their back-to-back games with Nashville (Friday) and Detroit (Saturday). It is possible Mason gets the start versus Dallas and then gets two days off to come back against Detroit Saturday night. It’s also very possible Ty Conklin starts versus Dallas and Detroit and Mason goes against Nashville. I will do my best to update the blog later in the day once we find out who is expected to play.

Stars Forward James Neal should be back in the line up after serving his two game suspension for his hit on Columbus Blue Jackets forward Derek Dorsett.

Who to Watch for?

Paul Kariya

Kariya has had good games against Dallas in the past while a part of the Blues. He could certainly use a big night in the "Big D".