The St. Louis Blues face an old rival tonight with yet another opportunity to get their butts in gear. Perhaps they will remember how to play hockey facing a team they used to hate.
The St. Louis Blues are going back to the scene of the crime. Ok, not really since they’ll be playing at home and not Detroit. Still, they’ll be facing the team that represents the last time we saw the Blues look like the Blues.
St. Louis and Detroit last faced off on December 9. While the Blues won 6-1, they lost Jaden Schwartz to an injury in that game. For whatever reason, we have never seen the Blues play the same after that game.
St. Louis has had wins, for sure. Some of those wins have been by decent margins as well. Even so, it feels, on the surface, like the Blues disappeared during that game.
Now, the Blues are in a far different spot and in need of something to go right for them. They are in the midst of a losing streak we have not seen for over 10 years.
The Blues had better find something special in this game, given the opponent. If they do not, we might easily see this losing streak reach double digits.
Know Thy Foe
The Detroit Red Wings have struggled mightily this season. They are continually attempting to reboot themselves without going all-in on the idea. The proof is definitely in the pudding as they can’t quite get the mix right yet.
As of now, they are barely a .500 team. Their record is 26-26-10.
They’ve struggled offensively and defensively. They are minus-18 in the goal difference department, having only scored 165 goals and given up 183.
Despite getting drubbed 6-1 in the teams’ last meeting, Detroit has history on their side. Since the Red Wings went to the Eastern Conference, these two teams have split the season series every single year except one. That one was 2014-15 and Detroit took both wins that season.
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So, if the Blues are to get back on track, they’ll have to find a way to get over their own recent history.
Detroit has been playing well of late – much better than St. Louis at any rate. They are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games and have won two straight.
On top of that, they’ll be the rested team as they were in St. Louis waiting while the Blues played Minnesota. Detroit’s last game was February 25, when they beat the New York Rangers 3-2.
This will be the Red Wings’ first game without Tomas Tatar in over six years. They dealt him to the Vegas Golden Knights for three draft picks.
Blues Tidbits
This will be the Blues final home game until the middle of March. After today, they’ll go to Dallas, have a break and then go on their annual California road trip.
The Blues must take advantage of Detroit’s mediocre road record. The Red Wings are 13-13-2 away from Little Caesars’ Arena.
Mike Yeo made some stiff comments about his team following the loss to Minnesota. His options for roster change are limited with only two forwards and no defenders scratched from last night’s game.
The Blues had six different goal scorers the last time they played the Red Wings. They will be hoping for a similar team effort tonight.
Projected Lineup:
As of 3 pm Central Time, no lineup had been released. The only changes Mike Yeo would commit to was benching Patrick Berglund in favor of Chris Thorburn. Carter Hutton will also be in goal.
Where To Watch
Television:
NBC Sports
Streaming:
NBC Sports App, NHL.tv (subscriber fee)
Radio:
KMOX, KMOX.com, Blues app
Predictions
The Blues have to win eventually, don’t they? Maybe I’m just trying to fool myself.
I was not even close on the prediction for yesterday’s game, win or lose. At least the Blues scored the amount of goals I said they might.
Today, I just want a win. The winged wheel still brings up old feelings and we just need a win. The team does and the fan base does, if for no other reason than so we don’t tear each other apart.
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I think the Blues finally score the first goal and get off on the right foot. That will be enough to send them on to victory lane.
Still, the scoring won’t come back the way it was. I say the Blues win this 2-1.
As earlier mentioned, they almost have to win this game or this losing streak might go on forever. After today, it’s Dallas, San Jose, L.A. and Anaheim, all on the road.
You basically have to win this one just to get a good feeling about yourselves again.