Blues vs. Anaheim Ducks - 1/8/16 game day preview The Blues continue their west coast trip when they take on the Anaheim Ducks at 9pm CST at the Honda Center. While the Ducks have the third fewest points in the Western Conference, they do have a strong home record at 10-6-4 and have earned one more point than the Blues in their last 10 games. Avalanche are second to last in the Central division, they are playing much better hockey having earned 14 points in their last 10 games while the Blues have lost 3 games in a row, the last two being in OT. While the Ducks are still struggling to score, sitting last in the league as the only team under 2 goals per game and almost 25% less than the next lowest team, Corey Perry has regained his scoring touch. After not scoring in his first eleven games, Perry is average a half a goal a game since. While the Ducks may not be scoring, they are not giving up much either, posting the 5th best goals against average in the league. This stinginess is partially due to very good goaltending and partially due to the fact that they allow the 3rd fewest shots against in the league at only 27.5 and have the best penalty killing efficiency in the league at 89.1%. Considering this, the Blues scoring woes and that John Gibson and Frederik Andersen both have very strong numbers against the Blues (2.10 and 1.81 GAAs and 93.1% and 94.6% save percentages, respectively), one might expect a low scoring, tight game. Former Blue Chris Stewart returns looking to keep up his Blues killing reputation and add to his 9 goals and 7 assists in 15 games while Sami Vatanen hopes to build on his young but impressive numbers against the blues (2 goals and 2 assists in 5 games). This game will mark three “Blues killer… games in a row (Ryan, Iginla and now Stewart). The Blues will look to shut down Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. The back to back games the Blues have will let Ken Hitchcock off the hook in selecting a starting goalie. I expect him to go with Jake Allen against the Ducks even after Allen’s poor performance Wednesday. Allen’s numbers are significantly better against the Ducks than Brian Elliott (0.66 vs. 3.10 GAA and 97.3% vs. 88.3% save percentage) and the back to back games allow Elliott to start tomorrow night. None of the Blues players have had extremely good success against the Ducks. Patrik Berglund is tied for the lead in goals with 6 in 23 games. Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk have combined for 1 goal and 19 assists in 33 games. As to the Blues lines, I expect lots of shuffling but my best guess is: Steen – Stastny – Brouwer Fabbri – Lehtera – Tarasenko Berglund – Backes – Paajarvi Jaskin – Brodziak – Upshall Bouwmeester – Pietrangelo Parayko – Shattenkirk Gunnarsson – Bortuzzo Allen Notes from around the league: - Great move by David Poille to get Ryan Johansen imho. - Don’t look now but the Panthers have won 11 in a row. So many things to like about Jaromir Jagr. - Anyone else notice that the Hawks have won 5 in a row? - How good have the Capitals been? They have a +42 goal differential in only 40 games. - The Sabres are now in second to last place in total points after losing 5 in a row. January tanking? It’s a great day for hockey.
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