St. Louis Blues right winger Vladimir Tarasenko, left winger Alexander Steen, and defenseman Robert Bortuzzo will all return to the ice for Saturday night’s final season game in St. Louis against the Minnesota Wild.
Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock made the announcement on Friday at Scottrade after an optional practice. He also said Brian Elliott, who has been replaced by Jake Allen the last three games, will get the nod in goal.
The Blues also made the announcements on Twitter.
Tarasenko is the team’s leading scorer and was in the NHL’s top five in both goals and points when he suffered a lower-body injury after being tripped by Dallas Stars defenseman Kevin Bieksa. He has 36 goals and 71 points in 76 games. He has been out since March 31.
Steen, the Blues’ number two leader in points when he went down, also with a lower-body injury, has 24 goals and 62 points in 73 games. He has been out since March 28.
When Steener went down, the Blues had only just gotten back All-Star anchor defenseman and playmaker Kevin Shattenkirk on the ice less than nine minutes earlier from an abdominal injury and surgery that had kept him out since February 1, 2015.
Saturday’s season-closing tilt with the Wild will mark the first time the Blues have really been at “full strength” in over two months. Just in time for the playoffs.
One senses that Allen has been playing at a level beyond his means because he may realize the starting job is for the taking. If that is the case, it will be interesting to see if Elliott responds in kind.
Blueliner Bortuzzo, acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins at the trade deadline, has only missed two games since exiting the game at the United Center on Easter Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks in the first three minutes. He suffered an undisclosed upper-body injury but is ready to return.
Bortuzzo has 8 points and 91 PIM in 50 games, and has provided a strong physical presence on the back line that the Blues will be glad to have back.
Wise To Bring Them Back Tomorrow?
Some may argue that with only one game left and the division clinched, these players might well benefit from the extra rest before the playoffs. But with more home ice still for the taking on the table, this seems like two points the Blues could desperately use. Were they to face Anaheim, a team they have struggled against the past several years—or even Vancouver, if they find ways to advance—home ice could be the deciding factor.
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The Ducks won the series 2-1, but it was much closer this year than in years past. Significantly, the two teams traded home shutouts in October and Anaheim won the last contest on January 2 in their rink, 4-3.
It also seems like it would behoove these players to get their bearings and sea legs back, and make any errors or adjustments in a regular season game than in the first game of the playoffs. Along those lines, Coach Hitchcock had this to say:
"“We’ve missed two significant parts of our team and we’ve got to integrate those guys in quickly and see how they look—and see how our team looks when they’re in there,” Hitchcock said. “They’re our most creative players, they’re the guys that have led our team in scoring all year. Getting them both in the lineup and having them both play tomorrow is real good for us.”"
As for starting Elliott, this feels a little different. After saying earlier in the week that the Blues were in “points mode” and wanting to stay with the hot hand, as reported just yesterday by our own Kate Cimini, for Hitchcock to go with Elliott—especially against the very team most likely to be the Blues’ first-round opponent—may be more of an olive branch or token offering to his starting goaltender, who may be feeling a bit left out about now.
Mar 17, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott (1) guards his net as Calgary Flames left wing Jiri Hudler (24) and St. Louis Blues defenseman Zbynek Michalek (6) battle for the puck during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. St. Louis Blues won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
But it may also have to do with getting him back in rotation so he doesn’t lose his rhythm. One senses that Allen has been playing at a level beyond his means because he may realize the starting job is for the taking. If that is the case, it will be interesting to see if Elliott responds in kind. If not, that could well be the answer Hitch is looking for.
Let us know your thoughts, Blues Fans!
Next: Ken Hitchcock: We're Playing For Home Ice (Against Chicago)
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