Game Day Preview- St. Louis Blues vs Columbus Blue Jackets 02-14-2012
St. Louis Blues
(34-14-7)
vs
Columbus Blue Jackets
(16-34-6)
at
Nationwide Arena
Game Time 6:00pm CDT
Possible Starting Lineup for tonights match up
St. Louis Blues
Forwards:
Perron-Backes-Oshie
McDonald-Berglund-Langenbrunner
Porter-Sabotka-Stewart
Crombeen-Nichol-Reaves
Defenseman Pairings:
Jackman-Shattenkirk
Colaiacovo-Pietrangelo
Russell-Polak
Starting goalie:(per Daily Faceoff)
Jaroslav Halak
St. Louis Blues Team Recap- The St. Louis Blues are coming off a very successful weekend home stand in which the Blues bagged 4 of a possible four points. They defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in overtime on Saturday night. On Sunday, the San Jose Sharks came calling to the Scottrade Center in a game where the Blues had one of their most impressive defensive games of the season. The Sharks have been on a roll as of late and were looking to take advantage of a Blues team that had played a hard fought game the night before. What ensued after the drop of the puck in the first period was something that made every Blues fan grin from ear to ear. Alex Pietrangelo had a big night with 2 goals to accompany a very dominate effort in and around his own end. Jaroslav Halak recorded his 6th shut out of the season and the Blues went on to a 3-0 victory. Tonight the Blues are in Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets.
St. Louis Keys To The Game- The Blue Jackets have not played very well this season and their last in the NHL record would suggest to solidify that notion. The only issue the Blues come up against is finding the ability to keep their game plan in tact when facing an opponent that may not challenge their abilities. Tonight the Blues will look to keep the train moving down the tracks and pick up another two points to pad the coffers. Andy McDonald will have his first road game since coming back Sunday night from a concussion. Andy, in his first game back, had 1 assist and was an obvious offensive presence on the ice against the Sharks. When Andy steps out for his shift, the opposing team has to take note of where he is at all times opening up lanes for his linemates. The Blues need to keep the tempo upbeat tonight and not allow the Blue Jackets to get into a game which the Blues should dominate. Any NHL team can beat you on any given night and the Blues had best take note of that concept and not leave their “A game” at home.
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Recap- The Blue Jackets are 3-3 in their last 6 games, coming off a loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday in Columbus. The Jackets have not had many things to celebrate this season. With a high first round draft pick in their near future, Jackets fans can take hope in a fairly solid draft forecast for this summer’s NHL Entry Draft. Blues fans can closely relate to Jackets fans as, not so far in our franchise’s history, there was a time when things looked like there was no way up. I am not a huge Jackets fan, and I won’t pretend to be, but I do understand where they are currently in the process. To the fans of Columbus keep supporting your team and keep them where they are instead of being plucked and shipped to the far north. It is important to grow hockey here in the states, and Jackets fans will have a reason to get excited if they just keep the faith. Ownership in Columbus has stated publicly they are aware of the dissatisfaction with this season and will take steps to do what they can to put a better product on the ice in the near future.
Columbus Keys To The Game- The Blue Jackets have suffered this season finding ways to play a consistent and effective 60 minutes of hockey. Jumping out to early leads or going down by 1-2 goals, they have yet to figure out how to rally back or keep their foot on the pedal. The Jackets will have to work at 110% if they want to keep up with the hard-working St. Louis Blues tonight. The Jackets need to get St. Louis to take bad penalties and put traffic in front of the net to screen the goal tender. The Blues give up the fewest shots per 60 and the PK has been a sore spot for the blues in recent history. If the Jackets get a goal or two lead on St. Louis tonight they had best find a way to keep the puck away from them going into the third period. The Blues have shown that a 1-2 goal lead is not safe against them, and they will come back if you allow them to hang around the game. A tough task for Columbus awaits them tonight when the puck drops at Nationwide Arena.
Blues News- Forward Matt D’Agostini remains out with a concussion. No update on his condition or any time frame for a possible return has been reported. Defenseman Kent Huskins is nearing 100% and will be getting back in to the line up in the very near future. Huskins has been sidelined since an October game in Calgary where he blocked a shot off his ankle which resulted in a fracture that was surgically repaired. Forward Alex Steen remains on the side lines still not feeling quite himself after suffering his first career concussion. Steen is progressing, but will remain out of the line up for the near future. Forward Andy McDonald returned to the Blues line up Sunday night against the San Jose Sharks. Andy was out since game number three of the season with a concussion he suffered on an accidental blow to the head from Blues Captain David Backes. Andy had one assist in the game against the Sharks and looked as though he had not missed a single game this season. Look for Andy to continue to play well for the Blues as they make their push toward the top seed in the NHL’S Western Conference. The Blues go into tonight’s game against the Blue Jackets just 3 points behind league leading Detroit with 75 points. Tonight, with a Blues win and a Detroit loss, the Blues could pull to with in 1 point of first place in the toughest division in hockey, the Central Division.
Do not take tonight off as Blues fans. Even though Columbus has had a bust season, I still look for it to be a good game in Ol’ Ohio. Get out the Blues garb, hit up your favorite establishment, and let the world know that Blues fans are ready for the cup to come to ST. LOUIS! Let’s Go Blues!!!
