Gameday 2-21-11: Blues vs. Blackhawks

All games going forward are critical, but perhaps this one the most important as far as setting the Blues up to make a legitimate run for the 8th position in the Western Conference.

The not so fresh Chicago Blackhawks (30-23-6, 66 Points) come down I-55 to take on your St. Louis Blues (27-21-9, 63 Points) in a President’s Day matinee. A clean regulation win means the Blues draw within one point of the Hawks and possibly three from the 8th spot. A loss means… well, you know. A steeper hill to climb than desired.

Here is the quick & dirty nitty gritty.

- Head Coach David Payne hasn’t said yet who will start, Ben Bishop or Ty Conklin. Given how out of it Conks was Saturday, I’d venture to guess most want to see Big Ben. Neither choice would surprise me. Might be a good way to get Bishop his start. Reward his relief appearance against a should be fatigued opponent.

- The TOI totals from the win over the Anaheim Ducks are skewed due to the lopsided nature if the game. Don’t read in to the significantly lowered playtime for the Backes Line.

That said, with Chris Stewart in town, David Backes’ TOI may take a slight dip. Giving his big body some rest and allowing Stewart to shoulder some of the power forward duties David used to carry solo.

- We know Payne likes to roll three “do it all” type lines. Watch him do that more now with the changes to the lineup. He will still play match-ups, but don’t expect 5 man shutdown units.

Speaking of match-ups, expect Barret Jackman and Alex Pietrangelo to see the Sharp-Toews-Kane line with regularity.

- Will the Hawks turn to Corey Crawford or will Marty Turco get the nod in net? Turco doesn’t have a great track record against the Blues, but Crawford likely needs a day off after yesterday’s game ended in a shootout.

- No injury updates. Jaroslav Halak is out at least till tomorrow with an injured right hand. David Perron is still on his road to recovery from a concussion.

- Look for the lines and pairings to remain the same, unless Phil McRae finds his way in over Cam Janssen.

McDonald – Backes – Stewart
Steen – Berglund – Oshie
Winchester – Sobotka – Boyes
Crombeen – D’Agostini – Janssen

Jackman – Pietrangelo
Nikitin – Polak
Colaiacovo – Shattenkirk

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