The bruised and battered Calgary Flames are back in action tonight as they play host to the scorching hot St. Louis Blues minus a couple key contributors in Sam Bennett and T.J. Brodie.
The Blues have dealt with a lot of injuries this season but they're starting to get healthy and hitting their stride at the right time having won six consecutive games. As a result the Blues are now tied with Dallas for top spot in the ultra competitive Central Division.
The Flames, on the other hand, have won just two of their last 10 games and are tied with Edmonton for last in the Western Conference; although the Flames have played less games.
Fatigue should not be a factor in this game as both the Blues and Flames were inactive on Sunday. One would think home ice will help the Flames but the Blues own an impressive 20-9-5 record on the road so playing away from home clearly isn't a problem for them.
LINEUPS Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland Agostino - Backlund - Frolik Bouma - Jooris - Colborne Bollig - Stajan - Hathaway
Giordano - Engelland Jokipakka - Hamilton Nakladal - Wotherspoon
Ortio
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Schwartz - Lehtera - Tarasenko Fabbri - Stastny - Brouwer Berglund - Backes - Jaskin Upshall - Brodziak - Reaves
Bouwmeester - Pietrangelo Gunnarsson - Shattenkirk Edmundson - Parayko
Allen
Notes
1) Over the last 10 games the Blues have controlled 55.6% of the shot attempts and 58% of 5 v 5 scoring chances, ranking 1st in both category. It's no fluke they've been piling up the wins of late.
2) Sean Monahan has 15(!) scoring chances in his last three games. Somehow he hasn't scored in that span but if he continues to get chances the goals - and points - will follow.
The game is at 9:00 eastern and can be seen on Sportsnet-West and FS-MW.
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