The most that the Blues can hope for tonight is that Connor Hellebuyck plays like he played at the All-Star Game. The Blues could use a ton of goals, and the way that the Jets have been playing they might get them. Winnipeg’s sixth in the Central right now, thanks to a five-game winless streak, which was added to last night in a loss to the Boston Bruins. They’re 3-7-0 in their last ten and now sit five points out of a playoff position.
If the Blues wanted to snap their slide and end this wasted week, tonight’s a good time to do it. January is over, guys. A win on Alexander Steen’s 1000th game night would be a swell present.
The Blues’ 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers was not good, or at least not a good first period. No one wants to see two goals in 17 seconds, and no one wants to see mistakes made like the Blues made ‘em. The Blues were contrite after the loss, much as they are after every loss.
“We didn’t really execute in that first period,” goalie Jake Allen said after Friday’s loss to the Oilers. “Obviously, they came out strong and hemmed us in for most of those 20 minutes. I thought we responded pretty well in the second, but we definitely didn’t have the start we wanted from myself on out, and the next thing you know, you’re behind the eight ball.”
That’s exactly what happened last night, so at least the Blues are self-aware. Being short Oskar Sundqvist didn’t help, and it might not help tonight, but it’s been a trend after the All-Star Break for the Blues to slack off and with Colorado having the week off and the Blues having a chance to add some easy points, the team picked a terrible week to do it.
Winnipeg is finally feeling the effects of an AHL level defense and a goaltender who may not’ve been All-Star material. If the Blues want to end this road trip on a high note, they can. There’s no use coming back into St. Louis with another loss.