Blues Look To Rebound
Though the St. Louis Blues kicked off their season-high seven-game homestand successfully, they lost some of that momentum their last time out.
Looking to regroup from a tough defeat, the Blues continue their lengthy stretch at Scottrade Center on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings.
Oddsmakers from SBG Global have made St Louis -170 money line favorites (NHL Odds) for today’s game, the over/under has been set at 5.5 goals (Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 64% of bets for this game have been placed on St Louis -170 (View NHL Bet Percentages).
St. Louis (4-2-0) opened the homestand with a 6-1 victory versus Dallas last Thursday and rallied for a 4-3 shootout win over Chicago Saturday, but couldn’t keep things going in a 4-3 defeat to defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit on Wednesday.
Brad Boyes contributed a goal and an assist, and Andy McDonald added two assists for the Blues, who were trying to win their first four at home since opening 6-0-0 there to start the 2000-01 season.
"We were star struck for two periods," St. Louis’ Manny Legace, who made 30 saves, said of his team’s two-goal deficit entering the third. "We watched them skate around."
Keith Tkachuk extended his goal-scoring streak to six games with his team-high seventh tally, while Paul Kariya picked up his team-leading ninth assist to stretch his points streak to six for St. Louis, which faltered in its attempt to open with five wins in six contests since starting 1997-98 with a 7-1-0 mark.
"Our game wasn’t up to our standards," said Blues coach Andy Murray, whose team yielded two power-play goals in three chances.
St. Louis, however, continued its success with the man advantage, converting two of five opportunities to improve to 11-for-27 (40.7 percent).
The Blues will face a stern challenge against a Los Angeles club that has killed off all 23 of its penalties one season after its percentage was the worst in the NHL (78.0).
"Our mentality is that we’re going to try to outwork the five guys they put out there against us," Kings center Patrick O’Sullivan said. "And if we continue to do that we’re going to have success."
Los Angeles (2-3-0) thwarted all four of Colorado’s power-play chances on Monday, but it wasn’t enough in a 4-3 defeat that saddled the Kings with a split of their four-game homestand.
O’Sullivan scored, while Oscar Moller and Drew Doughty – the second overall pick in June’s draft – each tallied their first NHL goals.
"It was so good to finally get that goal. It just gave me that boost of confidence," Doughty said. "But obviously, it would’ve been a lot better to win the game."
Los Angeles plays two straight on the road before returning for a season-high seven-game homestand of its own starting Oct. 27 against the Red Wings.
The Kings have lost their only away game this season and have dropped eight of their last 10 visits to St. Louis since the start of 2002-03 – a span in which they have also fallen in 13 of 20 overall matchups versus the Blues.
St. Louis held a 3-1-0 advantage in last season’s series, taking both contests at Scottrade Center.
Legace – 4-1-0 with a 2.74 goals-against average through five starts – is 11-2-0 with a tie and a 2.71 GAA in 16 all-time games versus the Kings.
Jason LaBarbera has compiled a 2.98 GAA in starting all five games for Los Angeles. He’s 1-1-0 and has allowed six goals on 65 shots in two career games against the Blues.
Vice presidential candidate and Alaska governor Sarah Palin will drop the ceremonial first puck before Friday’s game. She made a similar appearance at Philadelphia’s home opener on Oct. 11.
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