The St. Louis Blues have two more games left to play before the Olympic Games break begins. First, they travel to Nashville to face the Predators on Monday night, and then they travel down even further to Dallas to face the Stars on Wednesday.
Here are three players to watch that can make a difference in this game.
Brayden Schenn
With only a handful more games left before the break, and then it is a very short window until the Trade Deadline is in full swing, all eyes are on the Blues captain. Brayden Schenn, who was a hot commodity last season at the deadline, chose to stay and spark that magical run into the playoffs. Even though he is a big name out on the market, expect his destination after the deadline passes to not be St. Louis.
Schenn has been hot lately, with three goals and a pair of assists in his last five games. Can he keep it up against a surging Predators team.
Joel Hofer
After Jordan Binnington was unable to handle the Columbus Blue Jackets, letting in four goals in the 5-3 loss, it should be Joel Hofer's turn. Hofer should get both of these starts, allowing Binnington a chance to rest prior to the Olympics.
Hofer has a record of 12-10-3 with four shutouts this season. Appearing in all three games of this season series, and starting two of them, he is 1-1-0 with a Goals Against Average of 3.01. He can certainly set the tone for this game.
Colton Parayko
If there was ever a time for defenseman Colton Parayko to get out of this goalless drought, tonight is the night. Alongside goaltender Binnington, there have been a lot of questions concerning his selection to Team Canada, as he has been unlike himself this season for the Blues.
The defensive unit has been wild and reckless all season, with underwhelming play being a looming shadow over this team's misfortune. Parayko's resurgence could help this team have a successful two-game performance prior to the break.