Everyone knows that the Blues are now without all-star defensemen, Kevin Shattenkirk, who is due to have abdominal surgery later this week. Without him in the line up, fans will see a lot more of Ian Cole and Chris Butler. Shattenkirk is considered week-to-week after his surgery, and isn't likely to return in the month of February.
Ian Cole was superb in place of Shattenkirk during the game against the Washington Capitals. He simplified his game, moved the puck up ice quickly, and was strong in the defensive zone. He looked like the player many expected him to be when he was first drafted. It was easily the best he's ever looked in a Blues jersey. I'd expect him to take Shattenkirk's spot on the second pairing with Carl Gunnarsson. Chris Butler is likely to slot in with Barret Jackman on the third pairing.
Meanwhile, the Blues will still be without Patrik Berglund (shoulder) and Jori Lehtera (concussion like symptoms) as well. Meaninig Ty Rattie and Joakim Lindstrom will remain in the line up.
Tampa enters tonight's game with with 32 wins, same as the Blues, and are currently the league leaders in goals per game. It's going to be tough to stop their young offensive stars.
This isn't the same Lightning team that only has Steven Stamkos as "the guy" to stop. Now teams have to worry about young stars like Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson, and Ondrej Palat. Johnson leads the team in scoring with 49 points (17 goals, 32 assists), in 49 games. Meanwhile Kucherov and Palat slot right behind Stamkos in points, rounding out their top four offensive stars.
The Lightning will be starting Ben Bishop tonight. Bishop, a former Blue, and a native of St. Louis, who has only faced his home town team twice in his career. He's 1-1-0 in his career against the Blues.
T.J. Oshie is riding a seven game point streak, in which he has three goals and five assists in that streak.
Alex Steen is coming off of a three point game against Washington, in which he scored two goals and added an assists. He currently has 43 points, good for second on the Blues, only trailing Vladimir Tarasenko (50 points).
Speaking of Tarasenko, he finally broke his goal scoring slump against the Washington Capitals last game. He's now up to 25 goals on the season.
Alexander Steen will play his 400th game with the Blues tonight, becoming only the 20th player in Blues history to reach that mark.