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Blues vs. Capitals 4/9/16 Game Day Preview

April 9, 2016, 2:14 PM ET [33 Comments]
Jason Millen
St Louis Blues Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT


The Blues face the Washington Capitals tonight at the Scottrade Center at 7pm CST. The game will be a battle between the NHL’s top 2 points per game teams (Dallas is tied with the Blues). With a win, the Blues would claim both the Central Division and Western Conference titles if the Stars cannot defeat the Predators tonight. Much like the season to date, circumstances are conspiring against the Blues. The Capitals appear to be dressing most of their regulars in an effort to get Braden Holtby his 48th win of the season, which would tie Martin Brodeur’s NHL record. The Capitals also may be dressing their regulars in an effort to get back some of the team chemistry. The Capitals have only won 4 of their last 10 games with almost 1/4th of the season’s losses coming in that span and will be looking to avenge the 4-0 loss to the Blues in late March. The Blues have won 8 of their last 10, tying the Stars for the 2nd best record in that span.

In addition to the division and conference title, there are a number of Blues players who can reach milestones tonight. Brian Elliott looks to keep his NHL lead in goals against average and save percentage on his birthday. Happy Birthday Moose. Vladimir Tarasenko is one goal away from hitting the 40 goal mark. Troy Brouwer and Robby Fabbri each need 2 goals to reach the 20 goal mark. Alexander Steen needs a hat trick for 20 goals. Paul Stastny needs 2 points to get to 50. Colton Parayko and Jori Lehtera can reach double digits in goals with 1 tally.

It is expected that Robby Fabbri will play tonight which should have the lines shape up like this:
Steen –Lehtera – Tarasenko
Schwartz - Berglund – Paajarvi
Fabbri - Stastny -Brouwer
Upshall – Brodziak – Reaves
Edmundson – Pietrangelo
Bouwmeester - Shattenkirk
Gunnarsson - Parayko
Elliott

Notes from around the league:
- Congrats to Joel Edmundson on his 2 year 1.05 AAV extension.
- Reports are that the Predators are scratching Mike Fisher, Roman Josi, Mike Ribeiro, Pekka Rinne, and Shea Weber today against the Stars
- Tukka Rask picked a heck of a day to be ill. Jonas Gustavsson is in net today for the Bruins.
- Boston and Detroit both playing right now. If either loses, they likely miss the playoffs.
- Both the Kings and Ducks are playing mediocre hockey now combining for 9 wins in their last 20 games.
- Jaromir Jagr was seen doing resistance sprints Thursday night, 30 minutes after the Panthers’ loss. Is he a cyborg, lol? Regardless, he is an ageless wonder.

Quotes from after the Blackhawks game:
- John Kelly calling the game “Roarbacon, jr.”
- Pietrangelo when asked about the goalie play this year – “I’ll be here a week if you want me to talk about it.”
- Pietrangelo on getting the puck to Tarasenko for the OT winner – “When 91s calling for it, you give it to him.”
- Hitchcock on the OT winner – “Vladi isn’t going to miss on that chance.
- Tarasenko when asked about the division title – “I think we need to think more about winning the Stanley Cup.”
- From practice but still good – Fabbri after he broke the plexiglass – “I’ve been telling everyone all year Colton Parayko’s shot isn’t that hard & mine is a little harder”

It’s a great day for hockey.
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