GameBlog 1-6-10: Blues vs. Maple Leafs
Old Norris Division rivals square off as the St. Louis Blues (20-13-5, 45 points) look to forget a weak third period performance by venting their frustrations on the Toronto Maple Leafs (14-20-4, 32 points).
Last They Met
This will be the first and only meeting between for the two clubs in 2010-11. The last contest was back on February 12th, 2010. A 4-0 victory keyed by Alex Steen, TJ Oshie and Chris Mason’s 30 save shutout. Cam Janssen picked up 22 minutes in penalties as well thanks to battles with Colton Orr. The win pushed Davis Payne’s record to 10-7-3 in his first 20 games as head coach. The penalty kill was a perfect 8 for 8 as well.
A Return (of Sorts)
Carlo Colaiacovo and Steen came to the Blues from the Leafs in a November 14th, 2008 trade sending Lee Stempniak the other way. While the two have taken on their former employer, they have yet to return to Toronto.
While the city and ice will look familiar, many of those wearing their old sweater will not. Only Tomas Kaberle, Nikolai Kulemin, Mikhail Grabovski and Luke Schenn remain in blue and white. All the key figures of the era preceding Brian Burke’s installation as General manager have moved on save those four.
Scouting Report
For Blues fans not following the Eastern Conference this season, little has changed in Toronto. The cast of characters is different, but the outcome is much the same. A team with a supposedly strong blue line is generally struggling to keep puck out of their net and to put them in the opponent’s.
Currently positioned 13th in the conference and 23 points behind the playoff pace.
Phil Kessel is the primary scoring threat the Blues must deal with. The shifty sniper, with 14 goals, can find open space to rocket off a quick shot that can beat any netminder. However, the real star right now is Grabovski. The Russian centerman has 14 goals and 28 points in 37 games. Not to mention he is a Plus-3 on a team with a Minus-23 goal differential. The case can also be made for tweener winger turned point producer, Clarke MacArthur. The 4th year winger started hot and cooled down, but still leads the team in points with 29 (10 goals, 19 assists). His Plus/Minus is worth noting as just a Minus-1 as well.
Dion Phaneuf is the captain and leader on the back end. While he may not be quite up to his Norris Finalist form today, he still possesses a big shot and big hit potential.
Blues fans should keep an eye on Luke Schenn. The third year defenseman was taken two picks after Alex Pietrangelo in the 2008 entry draft. He is learning from his experience and is making strides in becoming a legitimate physical defensive force.
JS Giguere is still out with a groin injury and forward Mike Brown is out with a broken finger.
Head Coach Ron Wilson’s daily media session videos are posted on the Leafs official site. Check out yesterdays.
Lineup
Changes to the lines and pairings aren’t expected, but are possible. Payne is more likely to give the units that won five in a row a chance to right their wrongs. If change does come, its likely to be a shuffling of right wingers.
Sobotka – Backes – D’Agostini
Steen – McClement – Boyes
Winchester – Berglund – Crombeen
Porter – Cracknell – Janssen
Brewer – Polak
Jackman – Pietrangelo
Colaiacovo – Johnson
Jaroslav Halak is the likely starter.
Quick Hits
- Game is at 6:00pm Central on Fox Sports Midwest (HD).
- The Blues are 8-1-1 against the Eastern Conference and 2-0-0 against the Northeast Division.
- Halak has had success against the Leafs. A 6-2-2 record in 10 games with a 2.72 GAA and .919 save percentage.
- Toronto has allowed a PPG in 4 of their last 5 games.
- James Reimer is hot. Allowing just 3 goals against in his two starts this season. Both being the last two games played. However it appears Jonas Gustavsson is starting. The Monster has never played the Blues but is 5-7-1 in 15 games against the Western Conference. Posting a 3.15 GAA and .895 save percentage.
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