Gameday 12-23-09: Blues vs Flames
Game Info
Location: Pengrowth Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
Game-time: 8:30 pm Central
TV: TSN (HD) & FSMW
Radio: KMOX 1120 AM
Stat Pack
St Louis Blues: 11th in Western Conference & 4th in Central Division – 37 Points
Calgary Flames: 7th in Western Conference & 2nd in Northwest Division – 44 Points
Power Play:
St. Louis (Road): 22.2%, 8th in NHL
Calgary (Home): 22.6%, 5th in NHL
Penalty Kill
St. Louis (Road): 87.8%, 2nd in NHL
Calgary (Home): 77.0%, 22nd in NHL
Goals Scored per Game vs. Goals Against per Game
St. Louis (Road): 2.81 GF/G (11th) | 2.31 GA/G (5th)
Calgary (Home): 2.94 GF/G (14th) | 2.88 GA/G (20th)
Hot & Cold
St. Louis (Road): David Backes (3 Goals and 5 Points in last 5 games) | David Perron (1 Goal and 3 Points in last 10 games)
Calgary (Home): Dion Phaneuf (2 Power Play Goals and 3 points in last 5 games) | Jay Bouwmeester (No Points and Minus-7 in last 5 games)
Food For Thought
It’s only late December, but this game is very important for the Blues. Why?
1. Confidence and Momentum – Coach Murray doesn’t “believe” that much stock should be put in to either one. However, both are needed to help the players continue their high effort level. Winning promotes winning because players have confidence in their play which creates the momentum to go on winning streaks.
2. Standings – A Dallas and Detroit 2-Point game loss and a Blues win would put the Blues at 39 points. That would be two behind Dallas and Detroit..and three behind 8th place Vancouver.
3. A Long Road Trip – This is game three of a four game swing through western Canada and Minnesota. A long trip away from family at the holidays can test a player’s ability to focus. There cannot be a let up in the middle of the road trip. A loss here could create a loss in Minnesota and a split of the road trip instead of taking 3/4 or all the possible points.
Time to get the monkey off the back, eh?
Difference Makers:
Patrik Berglund and David Perron. Why?
The team knows what they are getting from the Backes and Tkachuk lines. In road games it is important to get periphery scoring since your top lines can be matched by the home team. Both players have been improving lately and Bergund is coming off his best game of the season in Edmonton.
Player Notes:
Per St. Louis Post Dispatch Beat Writer Jeremy Rutherford and Hockeybuzz.com’s Andy Strickland, Eric Brewer is expected to play tonight while Daryl Sydor takes the night off. Rutherford notes that Brewer has been practicing with Erik Johnson.
I would expect Chris Mason to return between the pipes tonight. It’s a good bet that the Blues will see Mikka Kiprusoff in the other net and not Curtis McElhinney. It appears that Rutherford confirmed this on his Morning Skate Blog.
Per Rutherford, here are the lines and parirings:
Paul Kariya-David Backes-T.J. Oshie
Andy McDonald-Keith Tkachuk-Brad Boyes
David Perron-Patrik Berglund-B.J. Crombeen
Brad Winchester-Jay McClement-Alex Steen
Eric Brewer-Erik Johnson
Barret Jackman-Roman Polak
Carly Colaiacovo-Mike Weaver
Keys to the Game
1. Stay the Course
- Can the Blues make it three supreme efforts in a row? They will need to do the same things over and over again…move their feet, make quick decisions, play a tight and clean game.
2. Can they get to Mikka?
- Kiprusoff has a very good history against the Blues. The Blues will need to get in on net and crash early and often. Mikka isn’t easily rattled, but the team as a whole needs to set an early tone that they will own the offensive zone. In my opinion the easiest way is to create havoc right on top of the goalie.
3. Keep the special teams special
- The pwer play is now 8 for 35 in the last eight games, a 35% conversion percentage. The penalty kill is for 34 for 37 in the month of December, a 92% kill rate. Special teams play wins road games and the Blues need to be on point tonight.
Who to Watch for?
David Backes
David Backes is red hot and leading the Blues through their Canadian road trip.
