Q’s Cuties: Blues vs Coyotes 12-31

Welcome to tonight’s cutie watch, and happy New Years Eve to all!  I’ve hijacked the computer for myself so I am getting things I want to get done caught up! The Blues have looked solid lately, with a 4 game winning streak currently underway.  I’m impressed with how the team has played cohesively, and how the goalies have saved the teams’ butts more than a few times.  The opponents are still making an impressive number of shots, but the combination of the Blues goalies making tons of saves and the offense producing 2 or more goals a game has made a huge difference in the outcomes of recent games.  Tonight is game 4 of a 5 game home stand, and hopefully the Blues can ring in the new year with a win.

This Cutie has his heart in the game

Here’s who I’ll be watching tonight:

Adam Cracknell #79:  After watching practice on Wednesday, this cutie impressed me with his work ethic and his heart in the game.  Cracknell was one of the first guys (of the whopping 11) on the ice, and one of the last 3 off after helping to get things put away.  Seems like he is trying to show the Blues that he is willing to work to be in St. Louis.  Although Cracknell only has 1 point in his 6 games in St. Louis, he has 4 goals and 10 assists with the Rivermen this season.  Makes me wonder what this guy could do with more than 3-6 minutes of ice time a night.  Keep your eye on this cutie to continue to show his passion for the game, no matter which team he is playing on.

Coyotes Cutie to Watch:  The Coyotes are headed to St. Louis after a brief 2 game home stand, which they won only one of the games.  Prior to that stint at home, the Coyotes were on a 6 game road trip- they only won 2 of those games.  This is the second meeting of these teams this season, the first match-up ended in a 5-3 Coyotes win.  Since then, the Coyotes have had some of the less-expected players step up in scoring.  Tonight, the Coyotes are hoping to end the Blues 4 game winning streak- and to end the year on a positive note.

Can this Cutie repeat his performance against the Blues?

Here’s who my eye will be on tonight:

Ray Whitney #13, Right Wing:  This cutie sits in second on the Coyotes for points, right behind defenseman Keith Yandle.  Whitney has 25 points so far this season, and 4 points in his last 5 games.  Whitney was a powerhouse in the November 13 game against the Blues: he had a hat trick and two assists- all on only 7 shots on goal.  This performance gave him a point on every Coyotes goal of the game.  Tonight, fans can expect to see him look to reprise his performance against the Blues.  Watch for this cutie to be looking to score on Halak the way he did on Conklin in November- hopefully we don’t see the same results.