Gameday 12-31-09: Blues vs. Canucks

Game Info

Location: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO.
Game-time: 6 pm Central
TV: FSMW (HD)
Radio: KMOX 1120 AM

Stat Pack

St Louis Blues: 12th in Western Conference & 4th in Central Division – 39 Points

Vancouver Canucks: 7th in Western Conference & 3rd in Northwest Division – 47 Points

Power Play:
Vancouver (Road): 16.4%, (20th)
St. Louis (Home): 13.1%, (29th)

Penalty Kill
Vancouver (Road): 77.5%, (22nd)
St. Louis (Home): 83.8%, (13th)

Goals Scored per Game vs. Goals Against per Game
Vancouver (Road): 2.72 GF/G (T-14th) | 3.00 GA/G (18th)
St. Louis (Home): 2.33 GF/G (27th) | 3.14 GA/G (27th)

Hot & Cold
St. Louis: Alex Steen (5 Goals and 10 Points in last 10 games) | David Backes (No points and Minus-4 in last 5 games)
Vancouver: Henrik Sedin (3 Goals and 7 Points in last 5 games) | Jannik Hansen (1 Point in last 5 games)

Food For Thought

Happy New Year’s!

Hopefully the Blues can use the roll over in the calender to make some positive changes.

Are fans tired of losing at home yet? At some point will fans stop coming in? I get the feeling that the majority of fans are really not looking forward to coming down to Scottrade for a game. I can count myself in that grouping. I will still go and cheer for the team, but I can’t say I go in to the game with a positive attitude.

I really like the bidding rivalry between these two teams. It’s amazing how one playoff series can create some buzz. The players have followed it up nicely with some chippy games this year (and last). At least this game should have a little character to it.

Can the Blues stop another bottom ten road power play? Will their home power play be stymied by a bottom half road penalty kill? Once again, these two questions will determine the game.

This team needs a big confidence booster before taking on Chicago on the second. Losing 3 straight at home is not a way to go before heading to California for three in a row.

Difference Makers:

The new Backes line.

This version features the surging Alex Steen on Left Wing. In the 3-1 win last week in Vancouver Backes, TJ Oshie, and Steen combined for two goals and four points. They provided the offense that won the game. They need to find the same mojo and work it again against Vancouver. These three also see power play time, which is going to be a matter of life or death in this game.

Player Notes:

Not sure where we go with this game.

Kariya is on IR and will not play. DJ King is not expected to return yet. Derek Armstrong has been recalled from Peoria under Emergency Conditions. Jay McClement is questionable after taking a shot from Shea Weber.

Neither Mason or Conklin have had stellar performances lately. It’s a toss up, but I would assume the start goes to Mason at home.

Per Jeremy Rutherford’s Morning Skate blog on Wednesday, Coach Andy Murray did not commit to Erik Johnson returning to the lineup for this game.

I will be at the game and I am leaving early so I might not get around to an update once Rutherford, Strickland, Kerber, or Korac post the expected line ups. Check them out on Twitter. Go to our Links Page for more info.

Personally, I am pulling for a Winchester-Armstrong-Janssen line.

Vancouver’s Kevin Bieksa will likely miss this game due to a cut on his leg sustained in Vancouver’s last game against Phoenix.

UPDATE 2:35PM

Jeremy Rutherford got his Morning Skate up earlier than I thought so I am able to pass on updates. Please go give it a read at the link, but here are the highlights.

* Kid Line coudl be reunited tonight. That means Perron-Berglund-Oshie.
* McDonald was held out from practice, is expected to play.
* Forward Lines minus McDonald were:

Keith Tkachuk-David Backes-Brad Boyes
David Perron-Patrik Berglund-T.J. Oshie
Alex Steen-Jay McClement-B.J. Crombeen
Brad Winchester-Derek Armstrong-Cam Janssen

*Erik Johnson is expected back in the lineup to replace Daryl Sydor. Expect the pairings to go back to Jackman-Polak, Brewer-Johnson, and Colaiacovo-Weaver.

*Mason will be in net.

* JR clarified Armstrong status as an emergency call up. Basically as long as someone is inured or sick he can stay up on emergency. If no one is, he has to be changed to a regualr recall where if he plays they have 10 games or 30 days till he would have to clear waivers to go back to Peoria. My own thought is that he would play, but if McDonald is healthy (which he likely is) then Janssen will not play. Might see a Winchester-Armstrong-Crombeen line?

Keys to the Game

1. Better Goaltending
-  The Blues are not going to win unless Mason (or Conklin) gives them a chance to win. The Blues also need to be mentally ready to do the work needed to give the goalies a chance to win. IF the goaltending is soft, its going to be a long night against a potent offense.

2. Special Teams
- Sorry for being redundant, but special teams play is gong to be so important. Vancouver, by the numbers, is weak on special teams on the road. The Blues must find a way to keep them off the score board on the power play and convert their own chances. If they don’t they will get man handled at even strength like they did by Nashville (and some extent Buffalo).

3. Shoot the Puck
- If there is a lane to the net…a Blues player better be moving in to it or shooting/passing the puck through it. Get rubber on net and you will score more goals.

Who to Watch for?

TJ Oshie