Blues At Kings Game Preview: The #MartyTax Is Higher In CA

The NHL's scheduling this season has been unique to say the least. Just like with the Senators and the Islanders, the Blues are playing the Kings twice in just a few days time. Tuesday night's game was a thrilling come from behind 5-2 victory over the Kings, who would probably like to have that third period back.

From the Kings' recap:

"We just weren’t sharp [in the third], we weren’t making plays that we need to make, especially against this team and on the road," Martinez said of the Blues’ late comeback. "A couple of plays resulted in penalties, and you can’t do that against a team [like the Blues]. They take a lot of pride in their power play and they have a really good one, so we can’t do that."

Anze Kopitar was also less than thrilled with the outcome.

"Yeah, you want to beat [the Blues] obviously, especially after the game like it was tonight," Anze Kopitar stressed following the loss. "You want to come out Thursday and, I guess, have a little revenge."

That revenge is going to have to come against a team who is short Jaden Schwartz, who blocked a shot Tuesday night with the side of his foot and will be week to week. This explains Steve Ott filling in for Schwartz on the STL line. Tonight, T.J. Oshie will be back, and the Blues've called up Dmitrij Jaskin, so the odds of Ott being on that line are... well, let's face it, they're probably still pretty decent. Ott did benefit from playing on the line, adding an assist to the #OttSpot totals and earning the third star of the game.

This is your morning open thread. Check back later on for a CCR Road Music, and while you're waiting for the super late puck drop, head to Jewels From The Crown and Battle of California to see how the other side lives.