GameBlog 1-18-11: Blues vs. Kings
There is little rest for the weary as the St. Louis Blues (21-17-6, 48 points) return to Scottrade Center for a Tuesday night tussle. Kicking off a key five games in nine days set before the All Star Game. The Los Angeles Kings (24-20-1, 49
points) are in town and hope to avenge their 3-1 home ice loss at the hands of the Blues last week. Who wins the third of four contests between the Blues and Kings?
When Last They Met
Thursday, January 13th, 2010 – BluesWin
3-1
Jaroslav Halak was solid in net even with ten tons of Kings forwards sitting on top of him. Stopping 24 of 25 LA shots. Jonathan Quick was not so hot between the pipes at the other end of the rink. Allowing 3 goals on 21 Blues shots.
Goals scored by: BJ Crombeen (4th), Ryan Reaves (2nd), Alex Steen (15th)
Hello Goodbye, Kyle Wellwood
Struggle in this season has not come without lack of trying on management’s part. Using role players and Peoria Rivermen standouts as short term bandages covering key losses to long term injury.
Kyle Wellwood was the latest in front line reinforcements. His signing was made official Monday.
Far from an optimal choice, but a logical one. The former Maple Leaf and Canuck was recently released from his KHL contract and would (in theory) provide
affordable coverage till days of better health for David Perron and Andy McDonald. Lending his skills on the draw and helping an anemic power play.
Just like Marek Svatos was supposed to. Sadly, Wellwood did not clears waivers (just like Svatos). He was claimed by the San Jose Sharks.
Welcome Back TJ Oshie
On SMALL bit of good news today was that TJ Oshie will return to the Blues lineup. Out since November 10th, Oshie has missed 31 games with a fractured ankle which required surgery. At the time he lead the Blues in points with 10 (1 goal, 9 assists).
There is no doubt the Blues have missed his contagious energy and tireless work ethic on a daily basis. He is one of a few pure playmakers on the roster. Able to work the boards and make plays in open space. His puck pursuit and forechecking skills have surely been missed on the forward attack.
Expectations should be tempered. He may have been practicing with the club for a few weeks, but he has only just really gotten back in to contract drills the last few days. Once he steps on to the ice for the real deal, it’s going to take a game or two to be back at his old tricks.
Big Body Net Presence
All season the Blues crease has been crashed by big bodied forwards of various skill sets. Other teams don’t seem to care who parts their posterior on top of the goalie, as long as someone does it. Besides David Backes and Brad Winchester, few seem to make it a point to get down and dirty on a consistent basis. Which generally leads to an exaggerated number of chances coming from the perimeter. If David Perron and Oshie will put their shoulder down and take a puck to the net every night, why can’t Patrik Berlgund and BJ Crombeen? They’ve got the size and power. Yet Berglund drifts away from contact when he is off his game and Crombeen pulls up for the 30 foot shot.
Not sure if it can be corrected, but its an area of improvement. LA is going to bring that net presence, the Blues better match.
Injury Report
Kings forward Scott Parse (hip) is out and Wayne Simmonds (leg) is day-to-day.
Blues defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo is expected to play after his puck to face injury in Anaheim. David Perron (post-concussion syndrome), Andy McDonald (concussion) and Dave Scatchard (knee) are all on IR.
Scouting Report
5th in Pacific Division | 10th in Western Conference
Goals For/Game: 2.87, 12th
Goals Against/Game: 2.56, 8th
Power Play: 18.0%, 17th
Penalty Kill: 82.8%, 11th
Leading Scorer: Center, Anze Kopitar – 16 goals, 47 points, Plus-15 in 45 games.
Not much has changed in a weeks time. Kopitar is still their primary offensive threat along with power forward Dustin Brown. Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson lead the charge from the point with more than enough offensive talent to burn any team.
Would have to expect Barrett Jackman and Roman Polak to square off with Kopitar’s line every opportunity Davis Payne can get. That pairing as well as the play of the Blues centers helped to limit Kopitar’s time and space which limited his chances.
Does Payne game plan to neutralize DD and JJ? One would think so. Maybe taking the puck out of their hands coming up ice by dumping it towards their partner late on shifts and chipping it at them early on shifts to take the body and wear them
down? Sounds good to me.
Lineup
Ryan Smyth – Anze Kopitar – Justin Williams
Marco Sturm – Jarret Stoll – Dustin Brown
Kyle Clifford – Brad Richardson – Trevor Lewis
Alexei Ponikarovsky – Michal Handzus – Kevin Westgarth
Rob Scuderi – Drew Doughty
Jack Johnson – Willie Mitchell
Alec Martinez – Matt Greene
Jonathan Quick is the expected starter.
Blues Lineup
Check out Lou
Korac’s blog for more details on tonight’s game. He has the expected lineup as well.
Alex Steen – David Backes – Matt D’Agostini
Vladimir Sobotka – Patrik Berglund – T.J. Oshie
Brad Winchester – Jay McClement- Ryan Reaves
B.J. Crombeen – Philip McRae – Brad Boyes
Barret Jackman – Roman Polak
Eric Brewer – Erik Johnson
Carlo Colaiacovo – Alex Pietrangelo
Halak is starting.
*Wouldn’t surprise me to see Boyes with McClement and Reaves down with McRae.
Chris Porter, Cam Janssen and Tyson Strachan will be healthy scratches.
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