Gameday 2-14-11: Blues vs. Canucks
Many apologies for the lack of recaps from this weekend. Really, they weren’t needed though. The Blues came up dry in the biggest weekend of the season. There wasn’t much more to say that hasn’t been said already. Giving up leads, mental mistakes, too few timely special teams conversion… “it’s all been done”…
Onward and upward to Monday night’s match up between the Blues and Vancouver Canucks.
The Canuckleheads come to town as a hot mess of winning. Winners of seven of their last eight games. Outscoring opponents 34 to 14 in that span. Bobby Lou hasn’t lost in regulation since the Nucks loss to the Blues way back on December 5th.
Thinking back to that game, it was the first following Andy McDonald’s concussion. The Note came out and drug Vancouver down in to the gutter with them. Forcing a sloppy, choppy game in which the Blues ground out a 3-2 victory.
With bleak circumstances ahead once again, can the Blues rekindle their playoff chances with a wing against the Canucks? Following the December 5th game the Blues went on to a 8-4-2 month that kept them close to the magic line.
Jaroslav Halak’s play made that record possible. Wiping away his horrific November and posting a 5-4-2 record with 2.36 GAA and .932 save percentage. His current level of production won’t cut it though. Allowing at least four goals against in four of his last five starts. He will have to implement that short term memory loss Darren Pang constantly raves about. Unless he improves ASAP, there is very little hope for hockey in St. Louis come April 10th.
Hopefully historical trends yield positive results. In six career games against Vancouver Halak has a 3-2-0 record with a 2.22 GAA and .935 save percentage. Roberto Luongo in contrast is 13-9-0 against St. Louis with 2.35 GAA and .915 save percentage.
Reports from Blues MSM indicate that the defensive pairings have been updated. Expect both the Jackman Pietrangelo and Brewer-Johnson pairing to see the shifts against the Henrik and Daniel Sedin. Reports of BJ Crombeen and Matt D’Agostini flipping positions sounds like Davis Payne will really be playing the match-up game with the home ice advantage. Probably the heaviest against the Sedins. Not sure if Alex Steen rejoins Jay McClement and Crombeen. Doubtful given how the Steen-Berglund-Oshie line has performed. More likely Vladimir Sobokta stay on McClement’s left wing.
If the Sedins can be contained, what about Ryan Kesler? The potential Selke finalist is an offensive beast as well. Most likely Backes will do battle with him. Berglund’s line could as well.
Getting the match-ups correct will be key. Keeping Vancouver’s free flowing possession game mired along the boards and clogged neutral zone will reduce the volume of good scoring chances. Something the Blues need to do badly because when Vancouver gets a chance, they score. They lead the NHL with 190 goals this season.
The most critical match-up? Special Teams. More specifically the Canucks power play versus the Blues penalty kill. Vancouver has the top rated unit, converting at a 25.2% clip. The Blues kill is at the other end of the spectrum. Their 20th rated unit kills of just 80.7% of man advantages.
Injury Update
No change in forward David Perron’s status. He is out due to concussion.
David Backes appears to be fine after suffering quite a gash to the forehead in the loss Saturday. Inglorious is expected to play.
Agitating forward Alex Burrows was not on the ice for Vancouver’s skate today (per @JameisonCanucks. However he was in walking in the dressing room. Appears to be a game time decision.
Defensemen Keith Ballard (knee sprain), Lee Sweatt (foot), Alexander Edler (back) are on IR and Dan Hamhuis (Head) is out indefinitely. Forward Guillaume Desbiens (hand) is out as well.
Projected Blues Lineup
Andy McDonald – David Backes – Brad Boyes
Alex Steen – Patrik Berglund – TJ Oshie
Vladimir Sobotka – Jay McClement – BJ Crombeen
Brad Winchester – Matt D’Agostini – Cam Janssen
Barrett Jackman – Alex Pietrangelo
Eric Brewer – Erik Johnson
Carlo Colaiacovo – Roman Polak
Jaroslav Halak is the confirmed starter per Louie Korac.
*Note: Andy Strickland mentioned the Blues may roll seven defenseman again. If that’s the case, why is Cam Janssen even on this roster?
In-Game Events
Tonight is the Hockey For Huggies drive.
From Blues.NHL.com:
Fans can donate any brand of diapers or make a cash donation at the Feb. 14 game vs. Vancouver to help support the Hockey for Huggies initiative.
One in three American families struggle to provide diapers, so Huggies brand and the NHL are teaming up to make a difference.
All fans who donate to Hockey for Huggies at the game will have a chance to win great Blues prizes, including signed jerseys, a chance to watch the Blues warm-up from the penalty box, zamboni rides and Blues tickets!
To make your donation and be eligible for the Blues prizes, stop by the Hockey for Huggies booth outside Section 124 on Feb. 14.
In addition, fans can make a $5 donation to Hockey for Huggies by texting BLUES to 501501. Your donation will go toward diapers for a baby in need in Metro St. Louis.
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