I am often petrified of this man. Image via Zimbio

Two disappointments occurred in last night’s game.  First off, the Blues lost 3-1 to the Vancouver Canucks on home ice.  Secondly, they did not engage in fisticuffs despite many good opportunities to do so.  By virtue of a fight last night by the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Blues now stand in a tie for second in the NHL with the New York Rangers with 34 fighting majors on the season, and their fight record does still stand at 16-10-8.  It’s certainly not the end of the world, just as the team’s injuries and struggles aren’t the end of the season.

We have covered the Atlanta Thrashers once already this season (find October 30th’s report here).  Since then, the Thrashers haven’t really changed much, fighting at a not so steady clip of 14 times on the season.  That’s currently good for a tie for 21st in the league.  What’s impressive, though, is their record in the few fights they’ve been in – 5-2-7.  It makes you wonder why this team doesn’t fight more often – it can’t hurt if you pretty much know you’re gonna win or draw!

A triumvirate of Thrashers lead the team with three fights each, and they are Ben Eager (6’2”, 235lbs, 1-0-2), Eric Boulton (6’1”, 225lbs, 1-1-1) and Chris Thorburn (6’3”, 230lbs, 0-1-2).  Past that, it’s a bunch of solo fighters . . . namely, Zach Bogosian (6’3”, 215lbs, Win), Evander Kane (6’2”, 195lbs, Win), Rich Peverley (6’0”, 195lbs, Win), Jim Slater (6’0”, 200lbs, Draw) and Alexander Burmistrov (5’11”, 170lbs, Draw).

It has been noted before that the Blues fight a lot against the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Thrashers have three former Hawks on their team (Eager, Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien).  It would be interesting to see if any Blue can coax a fight from any of these guys.  If they do, for the love of God I hope they go after Eager or Ladd and NOT Byfuglien . . . that beast-tank scares me.  I’d say the best opportunity would be a bout between someone like Eager and someone like BJ Crombeen.  Or perhaps Thorburn against Brad Winchester.

A top-flight Eastern Conference team on the road?  Don’t mind if they do, actually.

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Location: Philips Arena Atlanta, Georgia
Game-time: 6:00 pm Central
TV: FS-MW
Radio: KMOX 1120 AM

Previews:

ESPN Preview
Blues Official Website Preview
Thrashers Official Website Preview

Food For Thought

The Blues are coming off a 2-1 Shootout loss to the Flyers Saturday night and are looking to pick up two points for the first time since October 28th. Minus two games in Sweden, the Blues have been mired in a funk full of inconsistent effort and mental break downs. Since the Carolina game, the Blues have picked up the pace. Taking points in the last two games and having solid performances in 3 of their last 4 losses. The only problem now is that the pucks aren’t going in the net, despite an elevated work ethic.

Atlanta is a team without its Captain. The Blues know this feeling. However, the Blues didn’t lose a 45 goal, 90+ point scoring, top 10 player in the league. Ilya Kovalchuk is out and will not play. They are also with out the services of  goalie Kari Lehtonen. Starting in goal is Ondrej Pavelec. Considered one of the better goalie prospects in the league, he has in general struggled at the NHL level. A career 3.32 GAA and .898 Save% in 31 Games Played shows how he has struggled. You cannot deny talent, but Pavelec is still only 22 and has time to build a solid career still.  Playing against Pavelec would be a a great opportunity for the Blues. His GAA’s in the last three games are 4.00, 4.10, and 7.53.  In those three games he has let in 13 goals on 95 shots. Poor play by the goalie or poor play of the defense? Either way this should be recipe for Blues success.

With both teams coming off a game last night, its possible we see Ty Conkin and Johan Hedberg. In case you are wondering Hedberg is 4-2-0 with one shutout against the Blues for his career. I love historical stats like that, but it may not hold too much water in this case. His last game versus the Blues was in 2006. The Blues are a vastly different team now compared to almost 4 years ago.

While Atlanta has been sliding, their power play is still dangerous. Currently the power play is clicking at a 25.5% rate for 3rd best in the NHL. The Blues did a good job versus the best power play in the league Saturday (Flyers), let’s hope that continues. With the Blues latest surge in penalty killing proficiency they have worked back to an 82% kill rate, good enough for 11th in the NHL. The last few games have had a very interesting dynamic of  high level power plays versus the Blues penalty kill. The Blues have held the Flames and Flyers to a combined 1-for-11 on the power play. Can the Blues take down another highly rated power play? If they do, it should mean at least a point based in the last few games.

Player News

Carlo Colaiacovo was basically a health scratch last night. Officially, I believe he was listed as out with the flu. However, earlier this week Andy Strickland of Hockeybuzz.com reported that Colaiacovo should play today.

Andy McDonald and Barret Jackman are with the team on this trip and are expected to play today. What does that mean for Alex Pietrangelo and Lars Eller? I would assume Eller is heading back to Peoria and Pietrangelo will be scratched. That would leave the Blues with 22 players on the active roster. That seems to be the “easiest” move to make.

I have not heard if Chris Mason or Ty Conklin will start.

I will try to get an update in once Rutherford or Strickland put out some info on who is expected to play tonight. There will be some roster moves no doubt. I just hope it includes Eller not heading back to Peoria. I believe if the Blues wanted to file the paperwork, they can keep Eller on the roster as a traditional call up. Right now he was recalled under emergency conditions for the injured Andy McDonald. Given that Peoria is off till the 11th and the Blues play again on the 10th, I can see Eller staying up and then being sent back after the game against Vancouver. The Blues play Vancouver at home so it would be a short trio for Lars.

Will Blues fans riot when Eller is sent back to Peoria? I say yes if he keeps playing well.

Who to Watch For?

Rich Peverley

Since the Thrashers claimed Peverley off waivers from the Nashville Predators, he has been a very solid player. He has 2o goals and 52 points in 53 career games for the Thrashers. Many fans of the Western Conference team do not likely remember him from the few games he played in Nashville, but you will remember him after tonight.

Prediction

Blues 5 (Perron, Backes, Boyes x2, Johnson)

Thrasher 3 (Peverley, Kane, Little)