The St. Louis Blues made some roster changes involving Robert Bortuzzo and Zach Sanford ahead of their crucial Sunday afternoon game against the Calgary Flames.
The St. Louis Blues did something on Friday night that they have only done twice before this season. They won back to back games. Now it is time to win three in a row for the first time this season against the Flames.
When Bortuzzo and Sanford fought in practice last week, I was expecting some fallout. However, I don’t think these roster moves are as a result of the fight between the two teammates.
Calgary Flames (1st In Pacific)
Record: 21-10-2
Last 10: 8-1-1
Point Leaders: Sean Monahan (38), Johnny Gaudreau (42)
The schedule does not get any easier today when the Flames come to town. The only way to describe the team as of late is that they are red hot and they have already taken over the top spot in the Pacific.
Led by Monahan and Johnny Hockey, the Flames also have St. Louisan Matthew Tkachuk who is tied for second on the team in points with Monahan. Calgary’s goaltending has also been superb as of late. Mike Smith and David Rittich have been outstanding all season long for the Flames.
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The big news out of practice yesterday was the Bortuzzo extension. He signed a three-year deal worth $1.375 per year.
I am a huge fan of this deal. Bortuzzo brings the physicality on the Blue line that is unmatched by his defensive partners.
It is also insurance for the possibility of Jay Bouwmeester and Carl Gunnarsson leaving via free agency after the season ends.
Sanford’s demotion seems to be a direct result of his performance. Sanford started the season in the AHL after a slow camp (although understandable after losing his father during the preseason) but came back during the Blues first trip through Canada and performed extremely well.
He played so well at one point that his line with Ryan O’Reilly and David Perron was the best on the team for two weeks. Since then, however, he has struggled with consistency, and that was what eventually caused him to be demoted.
St. Louis will get a reinforcement this afternoon as well. Joel Edmundson will return after missing the last two games with a hand injury. Sanford’s demotion opened up a roster spot that Edmundson will be taking.
I’ve said it all season long if the Blues want to get back into the race, they need to start stringing together wins. They are only ten points back of the Vegas Golden Knights for the second wild-card spot, but they need to start winning soon before Doug Armstrong begins trading top players.