Ek's note" We are pleased to welcome Randall to the writing team here at HockeyBuzz! Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Randall has covered the Blues for more than 7 years. His work has been featured on KSDK in St. Louis, Slovakia's NHL website, and he is credentialed by the CHL to cover games as well...
The St. Louis Blues enter tonight's game against Carolina with a 6-4-0 record in their last ten games. The Hurricanes hold an identical record over thier last ten as well.
The Blues are 8-2-0 in their last ten games against the eastern conference. The Hurricanes are 4-4-2 over their last ten games against the western conference.
Jaroslav Halak will get the start for the Blues and he is holds a record of 7-2-1 in his last ten starts. Halak holds a record of 23-7-3 this season with the Blues, with a respectable 2.23 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage.
Halak is looking to continue his hot streak. In his last three starts, Halak is 3-0 and has stopped 90 of 94 shots on goal. He has a 1.31 goals-against average and a .957 sae percentage over his last three starts.
The Hurricanes recently demoted former Blues prospect, Aaron Palushaj to the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League. Palushaj is joined by former Stanley Cup MVP, Cam Ward, who's been sent to Charlotte on a conditioning stint. Ward is coming off a lowerbody injury in which he missed 13 games for the Canes.
Anton Khudobin is expected to get the start for the Hurricanes against the Blues. Khudobin holds an 11-4-0 record on the year, with a 2.24 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.
If the Blues earn the win over the Hurricanes, the Blues will move into a tie with the Chicago Blackhawks for first place in the central division with 79 points. The Blues would hold three games in hand on the Hawks as well.
Blues top three point producers: Alex Steen - 27 goals, 18 assists, 45 points T.J. Oshie - 12 goals, 30 assists, 42 points David Backes - 17 goals, 22 assists, 39 points
Hurricanes top three point producers: Eric Staal - 14 goals, 30 assists, 44 points Jeff Skinner - 22 goals, 15 assists, 37 points Andrej Sekera - 8 goals, 22 assists, 30 points
Remember Blues fans, the game is on a 6:00 p.m. We're playing in the east tonight!