St. Louis Blues Prepare for Key Matchup
As the St. Louis Blues (14-15-8) prepare for their last game before a four-day break for Christmas, they are looking to build momentum from a recent strong performance. They face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning (19-13-3) in Tampa at 6 p.m. on Monday, a game that will air on FDSNMW and ESPN 101.1-FM.
Recent Performance
The Blues are coming off a significant victory where they defeated the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, with a commanding score of 6-2 on Saturday. This marked their highest scoring game of the season, exceeding their previous best of five goals achieved against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 14.
Contributions from various players were key to this win, showcasing a rare collective effort this season. Notable performances included Robert Thomas, who scored two goals and assisted on another, marking a milestone 500th NHL game for him. Additionally, Jonatan Berggren and Otto Stenberg both made their case by scoring and assisting, while Jake Neighbours scored twice, hitting double digits for the first time this season with ten goals. Defensively, Justin Faulk continues to impress with nine goals, poised to surpass his personal best of 17 goals set during the 2016-17 season.
Looking Ahead
Victory on Monday could not only provide the Blues with four points in their last five games but could also bring them to the brink of a wild card playoff position in the Western Conference and achieve a .500 record for the first time since the season’s seventh game (3-3-1). However, the team hasn’t found success in Tampa recently, losing their last four matchups there by a total score of 18-6, including a 3-1 defeat last season.
Lineup Changes
The only alteration to the starting lineup from Saturday’s game will be Jordan Binnington returning in goal, with Joel Hofer serving as the backup. Players Matthew Kessel (healthy scratch), Jordan Kyrou (lower body), Dylan Holloway (high ankle sprain), Jimmy Snuggerud (wrist), Nathan Walker (upper body), and Nick Bjugstad (upper body) will be unavailable for this game.
Tampa Bay Lightning Overview
The Lightning’s projected lineup features star players like Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, and they are likely to have Andrei Vasilevskiy as their starting goaltender, backed up by Jonas Johansson. Injuries have sidelined Victor Hedman, Brandon Hagel, Erik Cernak, and Emil Lilleberg.
General Manager’s Remarks
As the Blues head into this challenging contest, General Manager Doug Armstrong has praised the team’s work ethic and determination, emphasizing that players must take accountability for their performance after a rocky start to the season.
Prospects Update
In related news, Blues prospects in Springfield are also making strides, with standout contributions from players like Zherenko and Romanov, and Harenstam is projected to potentially be Sweden’s top goalie in the upcoming World Junior Championship.
For comprehensive coverage and more insights, subscribe to The Hockey News for access to their magazine’s archives and the latest updates in the world of hockey.
