Gameday 12-26-09: Blues vs. Wild

Game Info

Location: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
Game-time: 7 pm Central
TV: FSMW (HD)
Radio: KMOX 1120 AM

Stat Pack

St Louis Blues: 11th in Western Conference & 4th in Central Division – 39 Points

Minnesota Wild: 12th in Western Conference & 4th in Northwest Division –39 Points

Power Play:
St. Louis (Road): 21.4% (8th)
Minnesota (Home): 20.9% (10th)

Penalty Kill
St. Louis (Road): 88.2% (1st)
Minnesota (Home): 82.7 (14th)

Goals Scored per Game vs. Goals Against per Game
St. Louis (Road): 2.71 GF/G (14th) | 2.24 GA/G (4th)
Minnesota (Home): 3.00 GF/G (12th) | 2.69 GA/G (T-15th)

Hot & Cold
St. Louis (Road): Patrik Beglund (1 Goal, 3 points, Plus-2 in last 3 games) | Carlo Colaiacovo (2 Assists and Minus-3 in last 10 games)
Minnesota (Home): Martin Havlat (4 Goals and 12 Points in 12 Games since returning from injury 12-02-09) | Eric Belanger (1 Goal and 2 Points in last 10 Games)

Food For Thought

The Blues special teams are starting to fall in to place and convert. It should be no surprise that the Blues are climbing the standings because of that fact. That’s how we went from “worst to first” in the second half of 08-09.On the road the Blues special teams are both in the top 10. The power play is 8th and penalty kill is 1st overall. Now when the team returns home…well that’s another story (and blog).

The Blues last game vs. Minnesota was October 23rd when the Blues won 3-1 at Scottrade. It was the first win on Scottrade ice this season. David Perron lead the way with a goal and two points that night. McClement and Boyes also contributed goals that night.The Blues power play was shut down five times in five attempts that night, producing few chances. Will history repeat itself? In Minnesota’s last five games they are a perfect 100% on the penalty kill, stopping all 14 chances faced. Minnesota hasn’t been taking many penalties lately either. The Blues will need to work hard as they have been to create pressure at even strength to draw a few infractions. Twenty times this season Minnesota has yielded four or more power play chances. Giving up at least one goal in ten of those twenty. In those twenty games they are 78 for 93, or 83.8%, killing the penalties. Even if the Blues can create the pressure and generate power plays, its not automatic that they will convert.

The Blues look to close out this week long road trip and take all eight of a possible eight points. If the chips fall correctly and Dallas, Detroit, and Vancouver all take no points, the Blues could finish the night two points out of 8th Place in the West and be behind Dallas by only 2 points for that spot.

Difference Makers:

Who will show up for this game? Martin Havlat or Brad Boyes?

Both teams count on their scoring Right Winger to deliver needed goals and offensive pressure. Both started slow, but are producing more consistently now. The edge would have to go to Havlat with his 12 points in 12 games since returning from injury. Teams rely upon key players to deliver in clutch situations and to get the team rolling. After a few days off the marquee players will be called upon to kick start the offense.

Player Notes:

Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch commented today that the lineup should remain the same. He has a full piece up 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

Chris Mason in net.

Cam Janssen and Daryl Sydor are the expected scratches. Alex Pietrangelo is off with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships.

DJ King is still injured and making his way back to the NHL Roster.

Wild Right Winger Petr Sykora continues to be sidelined with a Concussion and its after effects. He could return as early as Monday however.

Keys to the Game

1. Don’t Stop Believ’n
-  The Blues have renewed their effort and its showing. This team is starting to believe that they can play as well as anyone in the league. It’s important to keep this roll going to pad yourself against any home struggles next week.

2. Get the Blueline Going.
- Offensive from the Blues blueline has been sliding away. Both Erik Johnson and Carlo Colaiacovo are not converting lately and it hasn’t hurt the team recently, but it will if the trend continues. The Blues line needs to activate more and get the puck up ice. Pinching at the right time is fine, but the Blues are not allowing the Defensemen to carry up ice. Put the puck in capable hands and let the player create chances.

3. Don’t Understimate
- Minnesota may have been pegged as a bottom half, bubble team if lucky by the pre-season experts. Bottom line is that this team still has skill and ability to go along with a Vezina Finalist. They are only one season removed from the playoffs. Expect the Wild to work as hard as anyone else.

Who to Watch for?

Erik Johnson

David Backes

Two Minnesota grown boys come home to lead the Blues against the Wild. Expect strong play from both as they push to make the US Olympic Roster.