Gameday 01-18-10: Blues vs Blue Jackets
Game Info
Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Game-time: 6:00 pm Central
TV: FSMW (HD)
Radio: KMOX 1120 AM
St Louis Blues: 13th in Western Conference & 4th in Central Division – 49 Points
Columbus: 14th in Western Conference & 5th in Central Division – 45 Points
Food For Thought
This is the third meeting of six total between the budding rivals for the 09-10 season. This is the second of three games this month between the clubs. The timing of these games is extremely important. Both teams are fighting to get back in to the playoff bubble. The Blues shed their previous coach and are gaining ground. The Blue Jackets have held on to theirs an are gasping for air. The Blues can put Columbus 6 Points behind them and 12 Points behind the 8th sport in the West with a regulation win Monday night.
Will Rick Nash come to the rink looking for more pain? TJ Oshie got him, not once, but twice last season. David Backes got him in the last game. It really is interesting to see how teh Blues have gone after Nash the last two seasons. Nothing really dirty, but they have made it a point to get all over Rick Nash. It seems like if you can shut him down, no one in Columbus can elevate their game to make you pay. At least this season.
Columbus is 12th in the NHL with 31 Fighting Majors, the Blues are 4th with 40. Sparks will fly. Hopefully EJ keeps his gloves on this time (see Backes link above).
In their last five home games Columbus is 2 for 14 on the power play, a weak 14.2%. The Blues road penalty killing has stopped 18 of 20 in the last five away games, a 90% kill rate. Blues overall Road PK% is still #1 overall in the NHL at 88.3% for the season. That’s 11 power play conversions in 94 attempts. The Blues Road power play is sitting at 11th with an 18.3% conversion rate. The Jackets Home kill? It is 15th at 82.4%
Columbus is very similar to the Rangers in terms of penalty minutes per game. They are one spot ahead of the Rangers at a little over 13:30 a game. They do have more fighting majors than the Rangers so some of that penalty time is for fighting. Both teams have 222 minor penalties son the year. Columbus is tiled heavily towards hooks and trips where the Blues are heavy on roughing minors. Basically Columbus likes to be lazy. Get the puck deep and work them over, you’ll get power plays.
One interesting storyline is Ken Hitchcock. Can he afford to lose for the fourth straight time before leaving on a three game road trip? The Jackets GM has said that Hitch is safe, but so did the Blues about Murray. At some point you can’t keep being insane, something has to change. A thrashing by the Blues on their turf? Who knows, might be enough to do it.
Difference Makers:
The Blueline Group
In Payne’s 7 Games with the Blues the defensemen have 4 Goals and 8 Assists. Roman Polak is leading the way with 3 Point sin his last 2 Games. I don’t have concrete numbers for the Murray period, but let’s just say that scoring from defensemen is exponentially increasing. While offensive production is up, defensive responsibility really hasn’t slipped. If the Blues are to contain the talent that is present on the Blue Jackets roster, the defensemen need to be on point once again. Specifically the Jackman-Polak pairing against Nash.
Player Notes:
I’d be willing to bet Chris Mason gets a start with the line ups staying the same. I could see Cam Janssen getting in the game for a little battle support. There is history between the teams.
Who will be in net for Columbus? That’s a good question. Safe bet is that they will give up more goals than Ken Hitchcock wants to give up.
Keys to the Game
1. Go North & Conquer
- Coach Payne loves to push the play up ice with smart physical play. The Blues can take their new found home forechecking pressure on the road and squeeze Columbus again. Last time that happened the Blues scored 4 to beat Columbus.
2. SSDD
- Nothing has changed from leaving Scottrade Center. The game is the same, keep playing as you have been and the points will come.
3. Shoot the Puck
- The Blues had a meager 24 shots on the Rangers Saturday night. This needs to improve and top 30 once again. Opportunities were passed up to shoot Saturday and that cannot continue (cough, Berglund).
Who to Watch for?
Roman Polak
His physical level of play is through the roof and I'm thinking Rick Nash is on the menu Monday night. Roman has to keep up with Backes. Gotta let those Canadians know that the Czechs won't be pushed around.
