Follow @stlgoalie While the Blues handled their toughest part of their recent schedule, they didn’t handle the Calgary Flames on Monday night, a team that was 3rd last in points per game. The Blues had a couple of debatable goal/no goal calls go against them but the bigger picture is that they played poorly and didn’t appear ready for the game. Hopefully the team has his reset and has put that game in the dumpster where it belongs.
Tonight when they take on the Oilers at Rexall Place, they will be facing the worst points per game team in the league. The Oilers are 4th to last in power play efficiency, 6th worst in goals against per game and 3rd to last in goal scored per game. Like the Flames, the Oilers are better at home than on the road though they have lost 3 in a row at home. They also have been much better in their last ten, getting 11 out of 20 possible points, only 1 less than the Blues. The Blues have won both games against the Oilers this season. The Blues do have a chance of taking sole possession of 1st place both in the conference and the division with a win tonight.
While Taylor Hall leads the Oilers with 22 goals and 57 points in 72 games, rookie phenom Connor McDavid has 14 goals and 36 points in only 35 games. Hall has enjoyed success against the Blues with 6 goals and 7 assists in 16 games while McDavid has been held pointless in 2 games. Cam Talbot will be looking for his first win against the Blues (0-2-1). The Oilers will welcome Darnell Nurse back into the lineup following his 3 game suspension for the beating he gave to former Blue Roman Polak.
While Jake Allen has a much better record than Talbot (2-1-0 against the Oilers), Talbot’s numbers are a lot better than Allen who only has 78.9% save percentage and a 3.20 GAA against the Oilers. Talbot has a 90.3% save percentage and 2.95 GAA.
Carl Gunnarsson is questionable for the game with a lower body injury. Some are reporting that it might be the result of a couple of shot blocks (one of which he went off with a hobble) but I think it occurred on the play where Kevin Shattenkirk was interefered with, knocked down and slid into Gunnarsson’s legs while he was trapped against the boards.
My guess for the Blues lines are as follows: Schwartz –Lehtera – Tarasenko Berglund – Backes - Jaskin Fabbri – Stastny -Brouwer Upshall – Brodziak – Reaves Bouwmeester – Pietrangelo Shattenkirk - Parayko Edmundson – Bortuzzo Allen
Notes from around the league: - The Washington Capitals were the first team to clinch a playoff spot. - Rookie Shayne Gostisbehere has 16 goals now playing D with every single goal other than last night’s either tied the game or gave his team the lead. I think you can spell clutch as GOST. - The Red Wings have the Flyers in their rear view mirror, one point down for the final wild card spot with the Flyers having 2 games in hand. - Mike Babcock’s Leafs are tied for the league worst in their last 10 games with the Coyotes as expected when you ice the number of inexperience players they are sending out every night. - Place your Vegas wagers now on Anze Kopitar for the Selke and cover yourself with Patrice Bergeron. - Jammer’s favorite young goalie John Gibson (from a talent and expectation standpoint) is now second in NHL GAA behind St. Louisan Ben Bishop. - Nilsson gave up two goals in his mop up duty but did look serviceable as the play in front of him wasn't exactly stellar.
It’s a great day for hockey.