Game Day Preview- Minnesota Wild vs St. Louis Blues 02-18-2012
Minnesota Wild
(25/23/9)
vs
St. Louis Blues
(35/15/7)
at
Scottrade Center
Game Time 1:00pm
St. Louis Team Recap- The St. Louis Blues are coming off a 5-1 win over the New York Islanders in a game where the Blues scored more goals then they had on the previous 3 games. Once the Blues broke open the scoring it was all a down hill slide for Isle back up goal tender Al Montoya. With Nabakov out with the flu Montoya was called upon on short notice to take on the high flying Blues. It was obvious Montoya had not played in awhile and was very rusty with his angles and vision on the puck. The Blues welcome in the Minnesota Wild today and look to pick up another two points in an attempt to keep pace with the NHL darling Red Wings.
St. Louis Keys To The Game- It is very simple for St. Louis today. Stay out of the penalty box and funnel as many pucks to the net as possible. If they can keep it tight defensively and not allow a talented Wild team time and space the Blues should be able to pick up another W for the win column.
St. Louis Expected Lines:
57-42-74
10-21-15
17-44-26
32-12-25
Elliot/Bishop
Minnesota Wild Team Recap- Looking at the team now as opposed to a few months ago you will find that they are a meer shell of the team that at one point lead the entire NHL in the standings. Shotty goal tending and bad team defense has lead Minnesota down a loosing path that seems to be oozing blood still. Sitting in the 12th place currently 6 points out of a very tight western conference the Wild are on the outside looking in wondering just what the hell happened to their season. Key injuries to players such as Devin Setagochi and Mikko Koivu at points during the season really hurt the teams over all game. I am not convinced that the Wild have what it takes to make the play offs this season but I have been wrong before.
Minnesota Wild Keys To The Game- Simple, Keep the puck out of your own zone. The Wild have to find a way to keep the puck away from the Blues. The Wild also have to find a way to make time and space for their players to maneuver in with the puck. The Blues do a superb job at eliminating these key factors of the game on most days which make it especially tough for the opposition to score on them. With Elliot expected to get the start for the Blues, the Wild will be facing a 1.61 GAA which is tops in the NHL. Pucks to the net with traffic will be key for the Wild and pestering the Blues into taking bad penalties will have to be part of the game plan for Minnesota. If the Wild don’t control the flow of this game it could get ugly in a hurry…. Think 5 or 6-1….
St. Louis Team News- Alex Steen remains out on the road to recovery from a concussion suffered over a month ago. Steen has skated with the team in practice but has yet to kick all of his symptoms. defenseman Kent Huskins has found his way back from injury and worked himself in just one game into Hitch’s favor. Hitch commented that Huskins was strong defensively and was steady and reliable. As for defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, Carlo may be sitting for awhile while Huskins shows him how to be Pietroangelo’s partner. Carlo injured his wrist in practice this week and was a no go in the game against the Islanders. Carlo has since been released to play but Hitch will be sticking with Huskins for the time being. Matt D’Agostini was reported as being at the rink the other day but did not skate or participate in any practice activities. No time table for his return has been made offical. With Jaroslav Halak battling the flu Peoria super star goalie Ben Bishop will make the trip up to the big club to back up Brian Elliot today. Ben as many of you know will be a UFA at the end of this season and is poised to be a starting goal tender some where in the NHL this up coming season. Ben is eager to get into an NHL line up sooner then later but will fulfil his role as a Blue/Rivermen until said time comes for him to part ways with the organization.
It is Mardi Gras in St. Louis so make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to get to the Scottrade Center for the 1pm start this afternoon. Toot your horns and let out your inner Blunatic and cheer on the Blues to another victory!! Let’s Go Blues!!!!
