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First off, the important stuff: there's a Game Time Get Together tonight at Cousin Hugo's in Maplewood, starting around puck drop. Someone have a cup of vanilla frozen custard for me. I don't care if it's cold out - I need to live vicariously through someone.
Watch out - the Blues are atop the THN power rankings for this week for much of the same reason that they're atop the Central Division (and one point behind the Ducks for the top of the West): the STL line. One more goal and they have 25 as a line so far this year, which will account for exactly half of the Blues' total and just five fewer than the Sabres as a team. They are good. The rest of the team seems to be waking up too - in their 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals, David Backes and Patrik Berglund got the puck in the net. Bergie added an assist to that goal; maybe the sleeping giant Swede had an Olympic flashback, but maybe he's finally getting going by virtue of playing with Backes and T.J. Oshie.
Whatever keeps Steve Ott off of the top line. I'll take it.
This is your morning open thread. The Blues've won seven in a row in Boston. Head over to Stanley Cup of Chowder and watch our friend Sarah Connors' existential angst as her two favorite teams face off. Check back later for some Road Music from CCR, your GDT, and a recap of hopefully the team's eighth win in a row in Beantown.