GameDay Preview: St. Louis Blues @ Philadelphia Flyers 10-22-11
GameDay Preview October 16th, 2011
St. Louis Blues
(3-4-0, 6 Points)
@
Philadelphia Flyers
(4-1-1, 9 Points)
Game Time: 6:00 pm Central
Location: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TV: Fox Sports Midwest (HD)
Radio: Fresh 102.5 FM (Listen Here)
Head to Head
This is the first and only match-up between the Blues and Flyers this season. Last season the two clubs played only once and it was the Blues home opener on October 9th, 2010. The Blues won 2-1 in Overtime. Carlo Colaiacovo scored the game winner. The two have squared off just six times in the last eight years.
From the Blues Perspective
A potential goalie controversy is building and could fully bloom tonight.
Jaroslav Halak has struggled early this season. Posting a 1-4-0 record with a 3.47 GAA and .835 save percentage. Presumed backup Brian Elliott has been much the opposite. Owning a 2-0-0 record with a 2.09 GAA and .930 save percentage. His outstanding performance in Friday’s 3-2 win over Carolina in OT has not only fans wondering if the Blues need to ride the hot hand, but also the coaching staff as head coach Davis Payne hesitated to name Halak the starter for the second of a back to back set.
Alex Steen, Jason Arnott and Matt D’Agostini continue to get the job done as the trio now lead the team in scoring. Arnott and Steen scored Friday night, Dags with the game winner. The Blues added depth this season is paying immediate dividends. Historically slow starter David Backes, streaky Chris Stewart and TJ Oshie have come out of the gate slow. Combining for just 4 goals and 4 assists to date.
The Blues will need to keep the game smart, simple and clean to reduce penalties against and minimize time in their own zone.
From the Flyers Perspective
The high flying orange clad crew from Philadelphia suffered their first regulation loss of the season Thursday in a 5-2 loss to the currently undefeated Washington Capitals. They’ll look to get back to their winning ways by jumping on what could be a very tired opposing squad. The Blues didn’t arrive in Philadelphia till well after 2:00 am.
Forward Cluade Giroux leads the team in scoring with 5 goals and 8 points in six games. He is a critical offensive catalyst and looks to improve upon his play in the loss to Washington.
Ilya Bryzgalov was the Flyers big free agent splash this summer and has been solid to start the season. Posting a 3-1-1 record in 5 starts with a 2.59 GAA and a .905 save percentage. He also owns a shutout. The Blues know him well and have had success against the big Russian in the past. In 15 games against St. Louis Bryz has a 6-8-1 record with a 2.88 GAA and 9.07 save percentage. The Flyers will need to keep the offensive pressure level high to counter the Blues ability to get pucks past Bryzgalov. An area his former team, the Phoenix Coyotes, generally struggled with.
Keeping penalties down, as well as turnovers, will be the Flyers challenge to keep the Blues out of the game. The Flyers have been penalized at least five times in each game played and had 21 turnovers against the Caps. The Blues will be coming with as much speed and forward pressure they can muster in an attempt to keep the negative trends continuing.
Injury Report
The Blues are without forward Andy McDonald due to a concussion. Forward David Perron is out with post concussion symptoms, but continues his road back to game shape. Forward BJ Crombeen is remains out with a fractured left shoulder.
Starting Goalies
Per a tweet from Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Brian Elliott is the unconfirmed starter for the Blues.
Per a tweet from Dave Isaacs of PhillySportsDaily.com, Ilya Bryzgalov will start for the Flyers.
Lineup
Per a tweet from Blues NHL.com beat writer Lou Korac, no lineup changes are expected, save for the fourth line, for the Blues. The lines and pairings should look like:
Vladimir Sobotka – David Backes – Chris Stewart
Chris Porter – Patrik Berglund – TJ Osnie
Alex Steen – Jason Arnott – Jamie Langenbrunner
Evgeny Grachev – Scott Nichol – Matt D’Agostini
Kent Huskins – Alex Pietrangelo
Barret Jackman – Kevin Shattenkirk
Carlo Colaiacovo – Roman Polak
