May 10th, 2013

Staples Center

Los Angeles, California

9:00 p.m. CST

TV: FOX Sports Midwest

Kings lead Blues in Series 3-2

ST. LOUIS BLUES

(2-3-0, in Series)

The Blues enter tonight’s game against the L.A. Kings down for the first time in the series 3-2-0. It is clear, that the game in L.A. tonight is the most important game in many of these players careers.

The most experienced players that the Blues have on the roster, Jordan Leopold (Cup Finals in Calgary) and Andy McDonald (Stanley Cup Champion with Anaheim) have been two of the weaker links in the Blues roster and really have to step up their game if the Blues are going to win game six and force a game seven at home in St. Louis.

It looks like the roster will remain the same for the Blues in game six and the scratches will be Jake Allen, Vladimir Tarasenko, Kris Russell, Ian Cole, Evgeny Grachev, Andrew Murray, Dmitrij Jaskin, Taylor Chorney, Jeff Woywitka, and Jani Hakanpaa.

It looks like Kings lineup will be the same as game five as well, so the scratches for them will be, Jordan Nolan, Brian O’Neill, Tanner Pearson, Nick Shore, and Keaton Ellerby.

Key players

Brian Elliott – 5 GP – 2-3-0 – 1.88GAA – .925

Elliott has to shake off the game five overtime goal and get his head back on straight in order to win game six in Los Angeles. When Slava Voynov put the puck past Elliott in overtime on Wednesday night, the team seemed dejected. That said, headed into the morning skate this morning, Elliott seemed to be in very high spirits along with the rest of the team. Elliott has to have a very strong game in order for the Blues to get a victory tonight in game six.

Andy McDonald – Scott Neer, TSNPHOTOGRAPHY

Andy McDonald – 5 GP – 0G – 0A – 9 Shots

Andy McDonald is one of the few Blues players with the experience in the Stanley Cup finals. He led the Anaheim Ducks in scoring in the finals round of the Playoffs when they beat Ottawa to win the Stanley Cup back in 2007. He’s been invisible for the Blues this year, as he looks to have lost a step and is getting physically dominated in the five games in this series. He continues to turn the puck over anytime he enters the offensive zone and needs to get in control of the puck for the Blues to start producing offense.

Chris Stewart – 5 GP – 0G – 1A – 16 Shots

Despite being tied with Alex Steen for team lead in shots, you wouldn’t even know that Chris Stewart has been playing in this series. He, along with line-mates Andy McDonald and Vladimir Sobotka  have been the worst line for the Blues in the five games. Physically, they haven’t done their job, offensively, they aren’t getting any prime scoring chances. Stewart in particular needs to start driving hard to the net and causing a havoc in front of Jonathan Quick. He hasn’t done any of that and as a result, his line hasn’t produced any offensive zone time or any prime scoring chances.

LOS ANGLES KINGS

(3-2-0, in Series)

Key players

Mike Richards – 5 GP – 5 A – 2 PIM – 10 Shots

Richards has done a pretty good job at staying out of the penalty box and really producing for his Kings club. Leading all players in assists and points (5), he has been the playmaker for the Kings offense. The Blues really need to keep sticks in the passing lanes around Richards because he can thread the needle better than most in the National Hockey League.

Jeff Carter – 5 GP – 3 G – (+/-) -1 – 15 Shots

Carter has shown time and time again, that if you leave him in a high scoring area, he can put the puck in the net and he has continued to do that this series. His three goals leads the Kings and he continuously gets to the open areas. The Blues need to play Carter physically if they want to throw him off his game.

Jonathan Quick – 5 GP – 3-2-0 – 1.69 GAA – .942 SV%

Jonathan Quick remains to be the difference in the series for the Kings. The Blues have thrown pucks galore at him and he is still making the jaw dropping saves that leaves you speechless. He will slide across the crease after looking to be way out of position and gets his toe on the puck and it has to be in the Blues heads. They have to shake that out of their heads and keep driving hard to Quick in order to put the puck in the net.

Bottom line

It’s do or die time, win or go home for St. Louis. If the Blues get on their fore-check early, they have a chance take the crowd out of the game and control the pace of the game. They have to control the lines, which is something they have struggled with in the last three games. They have to have a quick transition game with very smart pinches to keep control of the puck. The more they control the puck and control the lines, the better their chances to win game six.

The pressure is on the Kings to finish the series off at home. They know the Blues are going to be playing desperation hockey and if they can weather the early storm and get the crowd into the game early, they can take control of the game and get a victory.

Tonight is going to be about who wants it more. Do the Kings want to win at home badly enough, or are the Blues going to want revenge from Wednesday night? It’s going to be a big mans game and whoever wins tonight will have to earn it.

Injuries

- #33 Willie Mitchell (D), IR w/ Lower-body injury (Knee), had arthroscopic surgery to scope knee. Mitchell will NOT return this season.

- #2 Matt Greene ‘A’ (D), Day-to-Day w/ Undisclosed but NOT related to recent Back Issue, questionable for Game 4 against St. Louis.

- #15 Jamie Langenbrunner (RW/LW), On IR w/ Hip surgery, out indefinitely and will miss the remainder of the season.

- #12 Scott Nichol (C), Day-to-Day w/ Lower-Body injury, out indefinitely, remains questionable for the Western Conference Quarterfinals against Los Angeles.

It’s a big night for the Blues, who can take a strangle hold with a win tonight!

LETS GO BLUES!

- Randall Ritchey

@Ritchey_BB

randallritchey@gmail.com

at VANCOUVER CANUCKS

March 19th, 2013
Rogers Arena
Vancouver, British Columbia
9:00 p.m. CST
TV: FOX Sports Midwest
Blues Lead Season Series 1-0

The St. Louis Blues are on a roll and will look to continue their success tonight in Vancouver against the Canucks.  This is the second of three meeting this season which will conclude with a game in St. Louis on April 16.  The last time the Blues faced off against the Canucks they took home the two points but had to go to a shootout to do it.

ST. LOUIS BLUES

(16-10-2, 2nd in Central)

The St. Louis Blues are looking for their fourth straight win tonight as the team is surging as of late.  With solid defense and an offense that seems to find the back of the net more than ever, the Blues look like they have finally found their stride in this shortened season.  With Andy McDonald back in the lineup tonight, the Blues are almost completely healthy with the exception of Oshie.  After an overtime win against the Ducks, the Blues look like they have the confidence to beat just about anyone.

Key players  

Oct 26, 2011; Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider (35) makes a save agaisnt St. Louis Blues forward Chris Stewart (25) during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Stewart was named the NHL’s number one star of the week and for good reason.  Stewart is having perhaps the best stretch of his career scoring 15 points in his last nine games.  The story of the Blues right now seems to be if Stewart is scoring, the Blues are winning.  With 14 goals and 14 assists, Stewart is leading the Blues in goals and points and is tied for third on the team in assists.  While there are talks of moving the surging Stewart it doesn’t seem to have affected his play at all.  Looks like Stewart could be the man to watch on the ice tonight.

Vladimir Tarasenko is back, and he is looking to pick up right where he left off.  Saturday against the Ducks, Tarasenko managed to get an assist, but it won’t be long before we see his name in the goal column again.  With the Blues managing to win without him on the ice, Tarasenko may have the chance to sneak under the radar of opposing teams again.  Early in the season Tarasenko drew a lot of attention, but when other teams don’t keep their eyes on him, he takes advantage.  I think tonight might be the night we see number 91 light the lamp for the first time since returning from his concussion.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

(13-8-6, 2nd in Northwest)

The Vancouver Canucks have been a dominant force in the Western Conference for quite a while now, but in the shortened season their strengths are being questioned.  Suffering from injuries and struggling on the ice, the Canucks have fallen from first in the Northwest Division to seventh in the West, two spots behind the Blues.  After last night’s 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on home ice, the Canucks hope to turn it around against the Blues.  After losing 11 of their last 16, tonight is an important game against the Blues.

Key players

Mar 16, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks right wing Alexandre Burrows (14) is congratulated by center Henrik Sedin (33) after scoring in the first 6 seconds against Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard (not pictured) during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

The Sedin boys are at it again.  Each season the ginger twins manage to impress just about everyone in the NHL and this season is no exception.  In 28 games so far this season, Henrik Sedin has managed 27 points while Daniel Sedin has put up 25 points.  The clear leaders of this Vancouver team, the Sedins are close to posting at a point-per-game pace.  Alexandre Burrows, Alexander Edler, and Jannik Hansen are the closest players on the team in points, all tied with 16.  Also take into account that Henrik Sedin is an impressive +16 this season while Daniel Sedin and Alx Burrows are both an equally impressive +10.

Bottom line

While both teams have a lot on the line tonight in Vancouver, the Canucks are the team that needs to come out on top to turn their season around.  The Blues and Canucks always have intense battles and tonight should not be any different, but expect one team to walk away with two points in regular.  Jake Allen will be in net again for the Blues and hopes to continue his impressive play and improve to a 9-1-0 record, but watch for the veteran lineup in Vancouver to look for any holes he shows.

Injuries

The Blues will be without winger and impact player T.J. Oshie as he recovers from an upper body injury suffered on March 12^th against the San Jose Sharks.  The Canucks will be without the services of Ryan Kesler (foot), David Booth (ankle), and Zach Kassian (back).

Let’s hope the St. Louis Blues can bring home a win tonight.  LET’S GO BLUES!

-Alex Hodschayan