GameThread for St. Louis Blues at New York Rangers, Nov 3, 2014

The Blues are on a four game winning streak, and would really enjoy a fifth game in a row to keep pace in the Central thus far. That says something about the division this year. Just five points separate first place (!) Nashville from last place (!!) Colorado:

Fun fact: the Winnipeg Jets have scored twice in their last three games, and have still won two of those.

The Blues have traditionally played the Rangers well, especially at Madison Square Garden, where the last game that they lost was in 2006-2007, and that one was lost in overtime. The Blues' road power play percentage is 50%, so the Rangers are going to have to be creative on the kill, especially since they're short four of their top six defensemen.

The Blues, with their full defense ready to go, needs to neutralize Rick Nash. He had two goals and an assist on opening night, and is second in the league with nine goals.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Blues game without some Ken Hitchcock line scrambling. From this morning's Morning Skate:

In an effort to spread the offense throughout the lines, Ken Hitchcock scrambled the lines on Monday. Steve Ott and Magnus Paajarvi will play alongside Patrik Berglund. Dmitrij Jaskin sits while Chris Porter joins the fourth line. Joakim Lindstrom and Jaden Schwartz flank David Backes.

"We have to get diversified production through the lineup," Hitchcock said. "We're relying on the same three or four guys to do everything. As you start watching how the team plays, you think if you can shut down two or three guys you think you can shut down the hockey club. I think we're deeper than that and can play better throughout the lineup. That's why we spread it out today, we moved Otter up, to look to get little bit more production." (emphasis added)

Hoo boy, give me some of that Steve Ott Production. Wait, he has an assist? And that's it? Hm. He better pick it up before we choose another player to pick on for charity. I'm not donating just a buck to the Fourteen Fund.

This is your GameDay Thread. Comment more than Steve Ott scores. Let's do this. Let's Go Blues.