Q’s Cuties: Blues vs Blackhawks 9-30
Welcome to tonight’s cutie watch! Our family is headed out to the game tonight, but if you are staying home you can catch all of the action on the Blues website (available only in the St. Louis area).
The Blues have made roster cuts and tonight are featuring, per Rutherford’s Morning Skate, two of the remaining defensemen prospects trying to win a spot on the team: Ian Cole and Nikita Nikitin. Tonight, I’ll be keeping my eyes on:
Ian Cole #23: I know this cutie has been in my spotlight in a previous preseason game, but with a week until the season starts expect Cole to be doing everything he can to prove that he is worthy of a spot on the final roster. Per JR, Cole and Nikitin are being tested on flexibility in their defensive roles tonight, with one of them playing on his “off side”. With Colaiacova injured, Payne is looking for someone that can fill his spot as well as play in his own. Can Ian Cole show that he is versatile enough to make it to the final roster? Watch for him tonight paired with Nikitin and on the Power Play to see if you think he has what it takes.
Jaroslav Halak #41: Is he a cutie? Not so much. Halak, however, should be on every fan’s list of players to watch tonight. This will be only his second start of the preseason, after allowing 3 goals on 18 shots in the first preseason game against the Avalanche. If you are a fan of the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club on Facebook and have been paying attention to the fan comments, many fans seem to have doubts about how far Halak can get the Blues through the season. It’s time to watch this goalie as he begins to prove to St. Louis fans that he is the man the Blues need between the pipes.
Blackhawks Cutie to Watch: Do I really need to pick a cutie from this team? Ugh…. I hate to pick out any of the Hawks, but here’s who I’ll have an eye on tonight while we face our Illinois rivals….
Jonathon Toews #19, Captain: Give the Blackhaws their due- they are the reigning Stanley Cup Champions. For now. Last year this cutie, currently wearing the “C” for the Hawks, earned 25 goals and 43 assists in 76 games in the 09-10 regular season. With another 7 goals and 22 assists in 22 games in the post season, Toews is more than a point a game guy and deserves some credit as a great player, even if he does play for one of the Blues’ biggest rivals.
