The Blues will end their Eastern conference home stand tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7pm tonight. The Penguins are fresh off a shutout win against the Carolina Hurricanes last night while the Blues are hoping to build on their overtime victory against the Montreal Canadiens Sunday night. Both teams hope to create a winning streak, having won their last game. The Blues have earned 11 points in their last 10 games while the Penguins earned 12.
Both teams have strong special teams play this season, both in the top 6 in penalty killing and having above average power plays. As you would expect, the Penguins generate a lot of shots, 3rd most in the league. They also give up a lot of shots, 5th in the league with more than 31.
The Blues will look to stifle Sidney Crosby and Patric Hornqvist who is are two of the hottest players in the game with 17 points in his last 13 games and 11 points in 8 games, respectively. Evgeni Malkin is also a big threat having scored 4 goals and added 6 assists in 10 games against the Blues. With the Penguins playing last night, expect Jeff Zatkoff to get the start. On the injury front, Kris Letang skated this morning and will be a game time decision.
Speaking of injuries, there are a lot of injury items to discuss with the Blues. Robert Bortuzzo was injured Saturday night blocking a shot. The full status of his injury is not known but I expect he may be placed in injured reserve given that the Blues called up Andre Benoit. As one defenseman exits, another returns with Jay Bouwmeester returning to the lineup. While being given the goaltending reigns with Jake Allen injured, Brian Elliott is making the most of his opportunity with a 92.7% save percentage in his last 5 appearances.
After the injury carousel, expect the lines to start as follows: Fabbri – Lehtera – Tarasenko Steen - Stastny – Brouwer Berglund – Backes – Rattie Upshall – Brodziak – Reaves Bouwmeester – Pietrangelo Parayko - Shattenkirk Edmundson – Benoit Elliott
Notes from around the league: - Don’t look now but the Blackhawks 11 game winning streak has vaulted them to the second in points per game average. - Three Central division teams are in the top 6 in points per game. - Barry Trotz and Mitch Korn deserve a ton of credit in Washington, as do the players. The Capitals have a points per game ratio that is 15% higher than the next closest. - If you have not seen the Glenn Hall from Saturday night, find it and watch it. Glenn is such a genuine, humble person. - I noticed the Leafs have lost 5 in a row. I wonder when the last time Mike Babcock lost 5 games in a row. I bet it has been a very, very long time.
It’s a great day for hockey.