Thursday evening’s game against the Los Vegas Golden Knights had to be postponed due to at least one positive COVID-19 test outside of the coaching staff. That test, reports state, belonged to former Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo. There has been discussion regarding if Tuesday evening’s game should’ve even have been played. The coaching staff was quarantined under the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, and it’s hard to imagine that they did not have contact with players before kicking back positive tests. Pietrangelo said that he was following protocol and didn’t have any contact with Blues players before the game, but it’s unclear if there was a possibility that the Blues players were exposed regardless.
So far, it seems like the team is in the all clear. They’re gearing up for tonight’s game against the Anaheim Ducks, and as of this writing all signs are go for that game to continue as scheduled.
So far, the Ducks are off to an ok start to the season. They’re 3-3-2, mostly due to the goaltending of John Gibson. Gibson has been solid, posting a 1.87 GAA and a .942 SV%, and the starter has helped Anaheim’s penalty kill be the sixth most effective in the league (88.9%). The Ducks’ power play is dead last in the NHL, though, so while the Blues still need to take fewer penalties overall, they may not necessarily be burned as much tonight for reckless play. On the other hand, the Blues’ PK is 28th in the league, so this could be a good shot for Anaheim to move out of the basement. Regardless, it’s fair to assume that it’s not going to be a smorgasbord of goals when the Blues have the extra man advantage.
Unfortunately, Tyler Bozak, who was hit high by Mark Stone on Tuesday night, and Robert Bortuzzo are both out for tonight’s game. Whether Vince Dunn returns to the lineup or Niko Mikkola continues to play in the top six remains to be seen as well. One player you know will be in the line-up tonight, and one you should keep your eyes on, is Brayden Schenn. The newest member of the Blues’ leadership corps has six points and four goals in his last five games.