Bruins At Blues Game Preview: Bear Trap

Something weird, almost magical happened last night. The Nashville Predators lost a hockey game. They didn't even get a point. The Islanders, with their win, tied the Preds for the most wins in the NHL, and opened a window for the Blues to inch a little closer to the top of the Central. Every chance the Blues get to gain ground they need to take advantage of.

The Stastny on the second line experiment is dead (score a win for the concept of existing line chemistry!). Jake Allen is starting in goal tonight. Chris Porter may play tonight, he may play tomorrow, but who knows who sits. The Blues need to get their asses in gear again, because while the Blackhawks haven't had the best month, they're still the Blackhawks. The Blues have managed more than two goals just three times this month after blowing the doors off of the NHL in January. What gives?

Well, it probably starts with a Shatt and ends with enkirk, but that's just me.

The Blues are missing a key piece of both their powerplay and an offensive defenseman. It's going to show. Instead of letting it show so much, the team needs to stop mourning for every poor performance and pick up the energy - and apply some pressure. The Bruins are on a five game losing streak (they lost in a SO against the Oilers Wednesday) and are barely keeping the Panthers at bay for that last wild card spot. They seem tired. They seem vulnerable. Don't blow it.

Tonight might be a good night for that pressure to get somewhere. For this inter-conference game, the Bruins may just start newcomer Malcolm Subban, younger brother of P.K. It's been Tuukka Time in Boston for a while, and their MVP needs a breather big time. If the Blues pounce and play their brand of hockey (not whatever fans saw in Tampa Bay and at home on Tuesday night), then tonight could be a temporary two point gain on the Predators.

BTW, please go to Stanley Cup of Chowder and talk Sarah Connors down from a ledge. I think she's had cabin fever a little too long.