Road Music: 02/12 @ Minnesota Wild

You know times are tough, when even the pillars of Game Time start getting all mopey-like. It seems a really odd time for that, though. T.J. Oshie is back, Carlo Colaiacovo is back, Andy McDonald is back, David Perron is .... well, upright, anyway. Since the All-Star break, the Blues have gotten at least one point in every game, six out of a possible eight points.

Things should be are looking up for the Blues. So why the long faces?

I still feel good about the rebuild, about the team, and the team's future. Just because we're not at the destination yet, doesn't mean we're not on the right path. It is just going to be a long, difficult road to get to where we're going. So, just chill the fuck out, enjoy the ride, and remember where we came from, how we got here, and what lies ahead. Hit the ground running. Ain't nothing stays the same.

Unchained / Van Halen

The Enemy: Well, we just played them last night, so you already know the Wild. I don't think there's much to add here. The Minnesota beat writers (yes, MN has more than one, go figure!) mention here that only one Wild line included any + players - their line of Kyle Brodziak - Martin Havlat- Cal Clutterbuck were a combined +7. Everyone else on the team were either Even or -1. It would seem that this would be the line to key in on. Other tidbits - a MN goalie change. It looks like Niklas Backstrom is in goal tonight for the Wild (2.37 GAA / .930 SV%). JR reports via twitter that Halak will be back in goal for the Blues.

Further Reading:

Hockey Wilderness

Blues vs Wild coverage

Today is Hockey Day in Minnesota, with several games on TV up north. This pushes tonight's game back to an 8:00 PM puck drop, St Louis time. The broadcasts locally will be on the usual outlets (FSMW for TV, KMOX 1120 AM for radio). The GDT should be around shortly beforehand. Until then, this is your pregame pre-party and group therapy session. Gather here, cheer up the Negative Nancys around here, and get ready for the game. Here's one of the greatest pep talks of all time:

Animal House: Germans Bombed Pearl Harbor (via CQblogger)

LGB!

-CrossCheckRaise