GameBlog 1-8-11: Blues vs. Rangers

The St. Louis Blues (20-13-6, 46 points) return to Scottrade Center to take on the New York Rangers (24-15-3, 51 points). Will the Blues recover from their 6-5 Shootout loss in Toronto and play their game for a full 60 minutes?

When Last They Met

Sunday, November 7th, 2010 – Blues Win 2-0

Last time the two clubs met was the conclusion of the seven game winning streak that put the Blues off to a historical start of 9-1-2 in 12 games. The win coming off the backs of Alex Steen and Ty Conklin. Steen provided the offense and Conks stopped all 27 Ranger shots en route to his first shutout of the season. Ian Cole also made his NHL debut in this game as seven defensemen dressed in the wake of injuries to Roman Polak, Carlo Coalaicovo and Barret Jackman.

The Blues have not lost in regulation to the Rangers since the lockout. Going 4-0-2 going back to the 2005-06 season.

Power Play Struggling Again

Special teams play has been an issue for the Blues most of the season.  The Power play and penalty killing units alike. The Blues shortcomings on the man advantage has drawn most of the criticism. Failing to produce timely goals. In their last 9 games they have just two conversions in 22 attempts. The pair of PPGs came during the the recent 5 game winning streak to close out 2010. One against Detroit and the other Phoenix. Goals proving how critical a functioning group is as those games were won by a score of 4-3. The additional padding  from an extra goal or two is invaluable.

Concern For Halak?

Going by the numbers there is cause for concern with Jaroslav Halak following his 11 of 15 save performance in Toronto. He’s “prone” to a throw away game or two at the end of a hot streak. Looking back at the November losing streaks affirms such a theory. Hanging the outcome on Jaro is a bit hasty. He was hung out to dry on Phil Kessel’s first goal assisted by Vladimir Sobotka. Few goalies are going to face a legitimate 40 goal scorer one on one and come away with a save on a shot like Kessel has. The defense was chasing on a low cycle which opened plenty of room for Mikhail Grabovski to use his magic hands. Why was David Backes in front of Colby Armstrong when the first “shot” bounces off him and in?

Goaltenders need support to succeed and Halak was given far too little in Toronto.  Until he starts having a series of poor performances where those in front of him do their job, the cause for alarm is minimal.

How About That Brad Winchester Guy

Brad Winchester - Image via Les Stockton (Flickr)

Not every player on every team is meant to be a score sheet phenom. Role players exist for a reason, to fill a need the skilled stars don’t. At times those plumbers, grinders, energy forwards, whatever you call them, ascend past their standard and do more. Brad Winchester is such a player. After a regressing in 2009-10 he has regained his 2008-09 form. Effectively using his 6’4, 220+ lbs frame to win battles below the oppositions red line and tenderize defensemen with big hits. His reward has been ice time on the second and third line as well as power play duties. Tomas Holmstrom he is not, but looking at his impact on the game in Toronto, it’s hard to argue with his results. Two key goals and several key screens in the last five games.

Scouting Report

New York Rangers: 3rd in Atlantic Division | 6th in Eastern Conference

Goals For/Game: 9th, 2.88
Goals Against/Game: 6th, 2.50
Power Play: Tied for 19th, 16.7%
Penalty Kill: 10th, 82.6%

Top Scorer: Brandon Dubinsky – 14 goals, 34 points, 2 SHG

The hard nosed Anchorage, Alaska native plays a physical game with a scoring touch. Currently pacing for 31 goals and 66 points. Both would be career highs.

Marc Staal - Image via CS Smith (Flickr)

Who To Watch: Marc Staal – 6 goals, 17 points, Plus-10, 7 PPP, 4 SHP, 2 GWG, 91 Hits

Marc tends to be the”forgotten” Staal of the three brothers currently playing big roles for their respective teams. Primarily considered a defensive defenseman, he is “growing” his role this season and becoming the Rangers blue line leader. Logging 25+ minutes a game in all situations. To draw a comparison to a Blues player, think Polak with more physical nastiness and a better offensive skill set. Too bad he gets lost in the shuffle of good young defensemen in the East. Easily developing in to a premiere shut down defenseman who can do everything else a “number 1″ should be able to do.

Injury Report: Michal Rozsival (ribs) and Brandon Prust (shoulder) are considered day-to-day. Rozsival could return tonight. If he doesn’t rookie Ryan McDonagh will be in. McDonagh was brought up when Michael Del Zotto was sent to Hartford. Forwards Vinny Prospal (knee), Ryan Callahan (hand) and Erik Christensen (knee) are on IR. Forward Derek Boogaard (shoulder) is out indefinitely.

Mats_Zuccarello - Image via bridgetds (Flickr)

- Keep an eye on Mats Zuccarello as well. A strong showing in international competition in early 2010 for his native Norway earned him a trip over the Atlantic. Leaving Modo of the SEL for the Rangers and their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. Between 4 games at the Winter Olympics and 6 at the World Championships Zuccarello tallied 4 goals and 7 points. The 23 year old winger may be considered “small” by NHL standards, listed at 5’9, 170 lbs, but has all the skating and stick skills to be successful. He had been skating on a line with Marian Gaborik and Derek Stepan, but that may be changing. Could be with Stepan and Dubinsky as well.

- Rangers top netminder Henrik Lundqvist is not the expected starer since he played in the previous contest. At least according to Darren Pang yesterday. Martin Biron did very well against the Blues in the game back in November. Stopping 20 of 21 shots Expect him to get the nod.

Bluenotes

According to FSMW reporter BJ Rains, TJ Oshie practiced at Saturday’s optional morning skate. He quoted head coach Davis Payne, “If he continues to pass tests, we’ll have a pretty good guy in our lineup fairly soon.” He also reports Jaroslav Halak will start in goal for the Blues.

Louie Korac reported this morning that the lines from Friday’s practice will stay together for this game.

Alex Pietrangelo will be tonight’s guest on the KMOX 1120 AM post game show from OB Clark’s. Petro was also on NHL Live earlier this week. Check out the audio stream on the Blues website or download the podcast on iTunes.

The Blues have just two players with 10 goals or more. Backes with 11 and Steen with 14. In comparison the Rangers have triple that output with six forward netting 10 or more.

Lineup

Vladimir Sobotka – David Backes – Matt D’Agostini
Alex Steen – Patrik Berglund – TJ Hensick
Brad Winchester – Jay McClement – Brad Boyes
Chris Porter – BJ Crombeen – Cam Janssen

Eric Brewer – Roman Polak
Barret Jackman – Alex Pietrangelo
Carlo Colaiacovo – Erik Johnson

Jaroslav Halak

- Porter-Crombeen-Janssen should make for an effective fourth line. If they can keep it in the Rangers end and hammer the defensemen. Otherwise they’re a liability, perhaps less with Crombeen than with Adam Cracknell. Nothing against Cracknell, he just did all he could do in his call up.

- TJ Hensick has a golden opportunity he needs to grab hold of. In his first recall he was thrown to the 4th line centerman’s role. To say he had a lack of success would be very diplomatic. He went back to Peoria and continued to produce and has been recalled as the Blues continue to look for scoring help. He is effectively taking the intended place of Marek Svatos. Don’t take this as Oshie isn’t progressing, because he is. This is a big shot for Hensick to perform well and force Porter back to the Rivermen when Oshie returns. A tough task as the Blues like that Porter knows his role and can handle the NHL minutes in that role.

-

As always, you are invited to follow @618_STLBlues and @BlueNoteZone on Twitter and on the BlueNoteZone Facebook Fan Page for in game updates and Blues news. Please also check out the St. Louis Blues Blogs Facebook Fan Page for links to Blues blogs all over the Internet.