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So the Blues are down their entire second line of Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Steen, and Andy McDonald. Pfft. The Blackhawks are out Dave Bolland. Same difference! Or not.
Listen, tempering expectations tonight wouldn't be a bad thing -- not because I expect the Blues to lose, or that any of you should expect the same thing. Rather, wouldn't it make it better if the Blues broke the Blackhawks' NHL record 19 game point streak if they weren't at full strength? Does it diminish the Blackhawks' accomplishment? Not at all. Would it be an entertaining way for the Blues to get on track at home? Absolutely.
Corey Crawford is in net tonight for the Hawks. He's played well against the Blues, allowing just two goals in the teams' previous meeting in Chicago. Last year he was 3-1 against St. Louis, with a 1.83 GAA and a .923 save percentage. At Scottrade though? Crawford is is 1-1-1 with a 3.57 GAA in St. Louis.
Jaroslav Halak has been excellent against the Blackhawks. He is a lifetime 3-0-0 against them at the Scottrade Center with a 1.00 GAA.
The penalty kill, which started the year not as good as they were last year, has gone a perfect nine for nine in their last two games. They're now 20th in the league, at 78.8%. Still room for improvement, but all that improvement has to be is continuing to play the way that they have been. Their power play is still first in the league at 30.6%. The Hawks' power play is surprisingly 13th in the league at 18.8%.
The Blues are 3-1-0 in their first game of back to backs. We'll get to Edmonton tomorrow. One day at a time.