The St. Louis Blues enter a pivotal divisional contest tonight against Colorado. It will be the second time the Blues and Avalanche have faced off this season.
The St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche are in different, yet familiar spots compared to the last time they played. The Blues took the previous game by a final of 4-3.
The teams were quite different back then. St. Louis was on top of the division as they were having their best opening month in team history. Colorado has dropped quite a bit since then, clinging to a playoff spot when they were in the division’s top three before.
A lot can change from October to January. However, much is still the same.
Despite dips in the standings by both teams, they are still two of the better teams in the Western Conference. For all our crying and whining, the Blues still have the fifth most goals scored in the conference and the fifth best goals allowed mark.
Similarly, Colorado is still churning out goals at a wild pace. Only Vegas and Winnipeg have more total goals scored in the West.
Both team’s issue is not solely with themselves. While both have hit the wall a time or two, it was met with big surges by everyone in the division and conference.
While both had some cushion from the good starts, they are now looking in front and behind as higher rankings are within grasp, but the rear view mirror is crowded as well.
The Blues had a good bounce-back game against Ottawa earlier this week. This game might be a better barometer of how much, if at all, they’ve turned the corner.
Know Thy Enemy
The Colorado Avalanche are not your ordinary eight seed right now, though that seems to be becoming typical of that spot so maybe they are. Anyway, they are hot and offensively charged.
As mentioned, they are third in the conference in goals scored and have a plus-23 goal difference. They are also very hot right now.
Despite losing to Montreal on Tuesday, they are 9-1-0 in their last ten games. They’ve needed to be that good as well, considering the division is finally waking up.
Despite the Avalanche’s hot run, they are currently tied in points with Minnesota. Colorado gets the advantage having played one fewer game and having one more regulation win than the Wild have.
Colorado is within striking distance of the Blues as well. St. Louis enters tonight with 61 points, only one point ahead of Dallas and four ahead of the Avs.
Colorado’s Achilles heel is playing on the road though. The Avs are 10 games above .500 at home, but 9-10-2 on the road. That’s a mixed bag, to say the least, and one the Blues must take advantage of.
Blues Tidbits
The Blues will finally see the return of Jaden Schwartz to the lineup tonight. The team announced the move around 11:30 Central Time.
St. Louis was forced to place Magnus Paajarvi on waivers to make room. That is a little surprising, but in a welcome way.
To make room for Schwartz's return, the Blues have placed Magnus Paajarvi on waivers. #stlblues
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) January 25, 2018
There was fear the Blues would take the easy route and send down one of their prospects. However, Tage Thompson and Ivan Barbashev have both upped their games significantly of late and deserve to stay. It’s good to see the staff recognize that as well.
Forwards
Jaden Schwartz – Brayden Schenn – Alexander Steen
Ivan Barbashev – Paul Stastny – Vladimir Tarasenko
Vladimir Sobotka – Patrik Berglund – Tage Thompson
Scottie Upshall – Kyle Brodziak – Dmitrij Jaskin
Defense
Joel Edmundson – Alex Pietrangelo
Jay Bouwmeester – Colton Parayko
Vince Dunn – Robert Bortuzzo
Goalie
Carter Hutton
It’s great to see the Triple S line – don’t expect that to stick, but that’s what I’m calling them for now – back together. For as much as I’ve gotten on Steen’s case lately, he fits in with that dynamic duo quite well.
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I’d have liked to see Tarasenko on that line for a bit to keep him going. It is understandable to spread out the offense though.
Personally, I’m disappointed Hutton is starting. I have nothing against him, as he’s done a fantastic job. However, you have to go back to Jake Allen eventually.
These are the situations you hate as a fan. There were vague whispers of possible concussion-like symptoms for Allen, which could explain his shakiness.
If that is the case, why keep him on the bench if you feel he is a liability. What is wrong with letting us know there is something wrong as well?
I understand I may be in the minority in this, but these sort of things have bothered me ever since the Jaroslav Halak ordeal. We were told time after time that he might return, only to find out he was never in any shape to return until the next year. Don’t toy with people like that.
To his credit, Hutton was in goal the last time against the Avs and won.
Where To Watch
Television:
Fox Sports Midwest or Altitude2
Streaming:
Fox Sports Go, NHL.tv (subscriber fee)
Radio:
KMOX, KMOX.com, Blues app
Tonight is Star Wars night at Scottrade, so if you can nab a ticket so they will be giving out Blues shirts with C-3PO there. This might be a theme night instead of a giveaway, so buying a late ticket might not get you a shirt this late in the game. Call the box office for more info. Also, if you have an extra shirt, send it my way, please and thank you.
As with 95% of games in St. Louis, the puck will drop shortly after 7pm Central Time.
Predictions
The outcome of this game will be different than the Ottawa game, but I still see it both ways just the same.
While the Ottawa game scared me because of the Blues, this one scares me because of Colorado. Normally, the Blues handle their business. They’re 5-1 the last two seasons and 14-6 the last five. Those kinds of numbers did not work out well against Arizona.
Additionally, you’re going to have a motivated Avalanche team coming off a heartbreaking loss to Toronto.
Next: Blues Forwards Must Improve Defensively
Sadly, I think if Colorado wins, it’s going to be a laugher. 5-2 in that scenario. If the Blues win, it will be another close game. I’ll say 3-2.
Both teams need the win, but St. Louis might need it more. If they lose and Dallas beats Toronto, the Blues will suddenly be in a Wild Card spot for the first time this season.