GameDay Preview: St. Louis Blues @ Anaheim Ducks – 10-16-11
GameDay Preview October 16th, 2011
St. Louis Blues
(2-2-0, 4 Points)
@
Anaheim Ducks
(2-1-0, 4 Points)
Game Time: 7:00 pm Central
Location: Honda Center in Anaheim, California
TV: Fox Sports Midwest (HD)
Radio: Fresh 102.5 FM (Listen Here)
Head to Head
This is the first match-up between the Blues and Ducks who will see each other a total of four times through out the 2011-12 season. Last season’s series was split with the Ducks winning the final matchup.
Last year’s Columbus Day matinee is worth recalling. The Blues won 5-1 in a sloppy, fight filled throwdown. Andy McDonald and David Backes set a new Blues franchise record, breaking the 42 year old mark, with two goals scored within six seconds of each other. The Blues had 53 shots on goal to the Ducks 14. There were an astounding volume of penalty minutes. Anaheim totaled 78 minutes and the Blues racked up 65 of their own.
From the Blues Perspective
Brian Elliott‘s rock solid 34 save performance, one of which is the best so far this season, in San Jose Saturday night washed away the loss just wo nights before in Dallas. But that cannot take away from the Blues struggling special teams.
Through four games the man advatage has one conversion in 16 attempts. Currently ranked 24th in the NHL at 6.3%. The Blues potency on the penalty kill was once their calling card. Going back to last season and carrying in to the current campaign the unit has not performed well. They are league worst 64.3% killing penalties. Allowing five power play goals against in 14 kill opportunities.
There is also concern over the recurrence of prolonged stretches of inadequate play. In three of the four games to date the Blues have had one period of play where they quit skating, Allowing the opposition to pick up their forecheck and take control of the flow back. Veteran additions as well as the promotion of Backes to captain was thought to help combat this trend. As of yet, they have not.
From the Ducks Perspective
For the Ducks this game will be all about jumping on a tired team and getting their offense rolling. Ahead of this contest they are ranked dead last in league scoring. Averaging just one goal a game. To their credit, their defensive play and netminding have made up the difference. Allowing the leagues third lowest GAA mark, 1.67.
Their power play, which is 0-for-13, needs to get rolling. The Blues present a golden opportunity to put a crack in the dam and get the floodwaters that can be the Ducks offense sweeping over the conference.
The the RPG line, consisting of Bobby Ryan, Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry, and Ryan Getzlaf, must get on the stat sheet. Through three games they have been held pointless with only a combined total 12 shots on goal. Maxime Macenauer, their current 4th line center, has been their most productive offensive player. Registering 1 goal, 1 assist with 4 shots on goal in just 9:58 ATOI. The Ducks cannot survive in the ultra-competitive Western Conference without a stronger offensive effort and consistent execution.
Injury Report
The Blues are without forward Andy McDonald due to a head injury. Concern is legitimate that he has a concussion. Forward David Perron is out with post concussion symptoms. Defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo is out with a concussion as well. Forward BJ Crombeen is out with a fractured left shoulder.
For the Ducks forwards Matt Beleskey and Jason Blake are out. Belesky with a shoulder injury and Blake with a lacerated wrist similar to Roman Polak‘s last season.
Who To Watch For
Though they may be considered the “third line” the trio of Alex Steen, Jason Arnott and Matt D’Agostini is producing like a top line. They’ve combined for six goals and 11 points with all but one goal and one assist coming at even strength. Patrick Berglund took most of Saturday night off. Keep an eye on him to see if he’s learned his lesson and comes back strong or regresses in to his inconsistent ways.
If there is a better young defenseman in the west not named Drew Doughty or Alex Pietrangelo, it’s Cam Fowler. The 19-year old, 2010 first round draft pick is logging an average 25:41 TOI per game and excelling in all situations. Besides the RPG line and the ageless Finnish wonder that is Teemu Selanne, Fowler is the one put the iso-cam on.
With Blake’s injury it appears St. Louis native Pat Maroon has been recalled to take his place in the lineup.
Starting Goalies
Per a Tweet from Norm Sanders of the Belleville News-Democrat, head coach Davis Payne confirmed this morning Jaroslav Halak will start in goal in tonight. In Halak’s three appearances he’s won one and lost two. All in regulation. Posting a 2.70 GAA and .857 save percentage.
Jonas Hiller is the unconfirmed starter for the Ducks. In three starts Hiller is 2-1-0 with a 1.62 GAA and .930 save percentage. He posted a 31 save shutout in his last start, versus San Jose, on October 14th.
Lineup
With last night’s win the lines and pairings may be kept the same. There is a good reason for one minor shakeup though. Fisticuffs. The Blues and Ducks have a history and with George Parros, Getzlaf and Perry running around, there will surely be animosity in the air. Ryan Reaves could dress in place of either Chris Porter or Evgeny Grachev to bring the needed element of toughness to combat the truculent opposition. Grachev stood out more in a positive manner than Porter, but number 32 is all about working hard and agitating. That element could easily be chosen over Grachev’s skill.
Likely combinations look like:
TJ Oshie – David Backes – Jamie Langenbrunner
Vladimir Sobotka – Patrik Berglund – Chris Stewart
Alex Steen – Jason Arnott – Matt D’Agostini
Chris Porter/Evgeny Grachev – Scott Nichol – Ryan Reaves
Kent Huskins – Alex Pietrangelo
Barret Jackman – Kevin Shattenkirk
Nikita Niktin – Roman Polak
