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Ducks @ Blues Game Day Preview

March 8, 2012, 4:48 PM ET [6 Comments]
Jeff Quirin
St Louis Blues Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Blues have eight winning streaks of three games or more this season. They can earn their ninth with a victory Thursday night as the Anaheim Ducks visit St. Louis.

The season series is knotted at one win a piece. The Ducks successfully defending their barn on October 16th by a score of 4-2. The Blues reciprocated on December 3rd. Winning at home by the same mark. The two teams will meet again on Mach 21st to wrap up their four game set.

Though the Ducks have struggled at times this season they’re pushing for the 8th seed in the West. Their 68 points are only six points behind San Jose and just seven behind 7th place Phoenix. A win tonight plus regulation losses for the Sharks and Coyotes puts them only four and five points back respectively.

The Blues are hoping former netmidner Ben Bishop and the Senators can work some magic to take down the Rangers and the surging Jets win in Vancouver. With a little help and some improvement on the leagues second best home record, 27-4-4,  the top spot in the NHL will be theirs.

A wide gap in the standings, 11 places and 23 points, will not equal a game taken less seriously. Expect this contest to match the time of the NHL season it's being played in.
 
By the Numbers
 
The Blues are 7-1-1- in their last 9 home games against Anaheim.
 
The Ducks road record is 22nd in the NHL at 11-14-8 and have lost their last two away from the Honda Center, but went 5-1-2 in their 8 game road trip last month.
 
The Blues have killed off 32 consecutive power plays and has climbed to the 9th best in the NHL at 83.5%. Anaheim is 2 for 16 (12.5%) on the man advantage in their last five road games.
 
Bobby Ryan has 3 goals and 5 points in the two previous games this season. Francois Beauchemin has a goal and an assist and a Plus-2 rating while averaging over 25 minutes played against the Blues. The Ducks are a collective Minus-5.
 
TJ Oshie has 2 goals against the Ducks this season. David Backes has just one assist in the two previous meetings.
 
Storylines
 
Bruce Boudreau vs. Ken Hitchcock: Two of the big personalities behind the bench who have lead the club they took over during the season to grandiose winning trends. Under Hitchcock the Blues have gone 36-11-7 in 56 games. A speedy trup from the basement to the penthouse of the conference. After a rough 4-9-2 start Boudreau has gotten the Ducks to 19-6-4 mark since.
 
Ryan Getzlaf vs. Barret Jackman: The two have some history, a late game slew foot in a relatively meaningless game a few seasons ago, and their abrasive styles always seem to clash in the corner or the front of the net.
 
Berglund's Goal Scoring Drought: The big second line pivot hasn't found the back of the net since February 9th. A sad note to mention because his game has truly elevated. The rewards just haven't come with the effort given. Perhaps they will tonight against a team that has given up 8 goals in their last two road games.
 
A Hot McDonald: Since his return on February 12th from a concussion Andy McDonald has been a powerhouse. Registering 8 goals and 11 points in 13 games and points in five of his last six games. Will he continue leading the charge? Probably considering his historical success against his old team. In 11 games against the Ducks he has 8 goals and 12 points.
 
Dynamic Duo: In the last five games Alex Pietrangelo has 6 assists in his last five games and Kevin Shattenkirk has 2 goals and 8 points. The Blues have scored 16 goals in that segment, 3.20 goals per game. On the season the Blues are at 2.54 goals per game. Think those two (and McDonald) are just a little important to the Blues offense?
 
Injury Update
 
Alex Steen remains in California receiving hyperbaric chamber treatments. There is no ETA for his return to the lineup. He should be expected back in St. Louis in a week or so.
 
Per reports from today's morning skate: Both Matt D'Agostini and Kris Russell skated with red no contact sweaters this week, but at today's morning skate Ruseel participated and D'Agostini did not. Jamie Langenbrunner continues to skate and test his fractured foot. Kent Huskins skated at the morning skate as well, but is not ready to go.
 
Lineup
 
No changes are expected in the forward lines and defensive pairings.
 
Sobotka - Backes - Oshie
McDonald - Berglund - Perron
Porter - Arnott - Stewart
Crombeen - Nichol - Reaves
 
Colaiacovo - Pietrangelo
Jackman - Shattenkirk
Cole - Polak

 
Jaroslav Halak will start in goal. In 6 career appearances against the Ducks he is 3-2-0 with a 2.56 GAA and .889 save percentage. He will square off against Jonas Hiller once again. In 9 games against the Blues he is 6-3-0 with  a 3.21 GAA and .891 save percentage.
 
Keys to the Game
 
- No Let Down: The thorough domination of the Blackhawks was wonderful, but it was an easy game to get up for. First game home in almost two weeks. One of the franchises biggest rivals and a game where they could take over the conference. The Ducks sit outside the cutoff line and have not converted scoring opportunities as ruthlessly as they have in the past. That doesn't mean they won't try to take the Blues down a notch. Treat them like they're the Hawks.
 
- Support the Defense: The one area of concern has been an aggressive forecheck pressuring the defense in to turnovers because the support from the back hasn't been there. This was most evident in the loss to the Bruins. Backside pressure is imperative in HItchcock's 200 foot game. Even more so tonight against the likes or Ryan, Perry, Getzlaf and Selanne.
 
 
 
Thanks for reading. Enjoy the game and Let's Go Blues!
 
As always, you're welcome to follow me on Twitter: @JTQ_1
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