GameBlog 12-23-10: Blues vs. Red Wings
A cold St. Louis welcomes a Pavel Datsyuk-less Detroit Red Wings to town. Can the St. Louis Blues send Blues nation an early Christmas present or will the Wings build on their 5-4 overtime victory last night?
So Far Not So Good
In two previous contests this season Detroit has scored a total of 12 goals. An average of 6.00 Goals Against/Game and 3.27 GA/A more than the Blues season average.
Why has Detroit had success?
Like most teams, they’re finding open lanes to the net to create traffic. Gap control and taking away time and space has proven difficult for the Blues against the slippery Red Wings. Without adequate support from all five skaters on the ice, Detroit can maneuver around just about anyone. Almost like skating around pylons at practice. Bringing up the compete level in the defensive end has to be priority number one. The Blues have had the requisite level against other teams, but it’s been fleeting against the Wings.
Datsyuk Down
Bad news in Motown is good news in the Gateway City. In Detroit’s win over Vancvouer last night center Pavel Datsyuk broke his right wrist and is expected to miss 4 weeks.
Datsyuk simply kills the Blues. Posting 19 goals and 60 points in 51 career games. His personal best Plus/Minus rating, Plus-30, is also against the Note. Not having to combat his stifling presence in all three zones is welcome. Detroit has weapons all over their line up, but can the Blues better focus on Henrik Zetterberg?
Injury News
Looking like Patrik Berglund will be good to go tonight according to Dan O’Neill.
Andy Strickland says TJ Oshie is ahead of schedule. Not sure we should be so optimistic yet. Thou shalt not taunt the hockey gods Strick…
Possession Game Not Improved?
With the return of Pietrangelo and Polak to the mix one would assume that the transition and possession games would receive a boost. Both are highly mobile and deft at escaping pressure and moving the puck out of the defensive zone. Improvements to those two aspects of gameplay should reduce the scoring chances again and increase those for. Why then have the Blues allowed 68 shots (29 and 39) in the last two games? A total shot differential of -25 (43 for to 68 against) will not win many games given the Blues general lack of finishing ability.
Quick Hits
- Dan Cleary has 3 goals and 5 points in his last 2 games against the Blues. For his career he has 10 goals in 52 games. What’s with the sudden outburst? He’s feasting on loose rubber. The Blues don’t need to deny him, just the type of play that he has thrived on. Crashing the net for a rebound.
- Brad Boyes scored a goal in Atlanta. Since it wasn’t on TV, did it really happen? Dead horse beaten for the eleventybillionth time.
- Alex Pietrangelo just keeps bringing in points. Added his 4th goal of the season against the Thrashers.
- Alex Steen is hot with 7 goals and 11 points in his last 11 games. Could it come to an end? In 16 career games against Detroit Steener has just 3 assists.
- Jimmy Howard is the expected starter for Detroit. In 7 career games Howard is 4-2-1 with a 2.67 GAA and .916 save percentage. (EDIT: Updated 2:00pm – Former Blue Chris Osgood is the expected starter for Detroit (per JR) and is still looking for win #400)
- Will Tomas Holmstrom dive again? Hey, if it worked once…
- Check out FightNiteAtTheJoe. A nice little Red Wings site. Look paste your hate Blues fans…it’s ok.
Lineup
Assuming Bergie is truly ready to go, here is a possible lineup…
Sobotka – Backes – Boyes/D’Agostini
Winchester – Berglund – Crombeen/D’Agostini
Steen – McClement – D’Agostini/Boyes/Crombeen
Porter – Cracknell – Janssen
Brewer – Johnson
Jackman – Pietrangelo
Colaiacovo – Polak
Does Conklin get the start after a 37 save performance or does Halak get the call with plenty of time off till the next contest following Christmas? If confirmation comes, I’ll pass it along.
*UPDATE 2:00pm* Per JR at the Post the lineup remains the same from Atlanta. Halak will start.
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