Blues At Canucks GameDay Preview: Will The Blues Make It Four?

Wow, what happened to the Vancouver Canucks? Just 3-5-2 in their last ten games, they started the season with a bang. Two starting goalies! What a happy accident that Blues fans could relate to. And then, well, the wheels came off. They went 36 power plays in a row without scoring before their lone goal in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild ended that streak. They're not in first place any more in the Northwest, and they're down towards the bottom of the Western Conference playoff positions, though just two spots behind the Blues.

They can't score off the powerplay either. They've scored two or fewer goals in seven of their last eight, while allowing 24 goals total in their last eight. To say that scores have been lopsided as of late won't do them justice. They might have issues again tonight, too. Jake Allen has won his last five starts, and has allowed three goals in his last three games.

If you're the Canucks, you also have Alexander Steen, who has returned with a vengeance, Chris Stewart, who is the NHL's first star of the week, and the returning Andy McDonald to deal with tonight. Factor in Vladimir Tarasenko who had an assist in is return on Saturday night, and Vladimir Sobotka who has been playing like a man possessed, and you have a Blues team that Vancouver probably doesn't want to see right this second.