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GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:50 am
by dmiles2186
The Chicago Blackhawks were pleased with their performance during a season-high eight-game road trip, although the trek did end on a sour note.

In their first home game in nearly three weeks, the Blackhawks will try to bounce back by earning their fourth straight victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night.

Chicago (37-14-4) went 5-3-0 on its trip, but closed it with a 4-2 loss to Carolina on Saturday night.

"We said .500 would be OK and double digit (points) we'd be very happy with," coach Joel Quenneville said. "A win tonight would have made it a really good trip. We're not complaining, but I think we deserved a better way to end it."

Andrew Ladd tied the game early in the third period for the Central Division leaders, who had a 41-24 shot advantage. The Hurricanes, however, answered 1:25 later and added another goal 26 seconds after that.

"It's nice to be done, but we wanted to get the win tonight," defenseman Duncan Keith said. "It would have been a lot better going home as winners. ... It's been a long road trip, and it'll be nice to get back."

The Blackhawks will now try to improve their 21-5-0 record at the United Center. They have won 18 of 21 at home.

That stretch includes a 3-0 victory over the Blues on Dec. 16. Chicago, which also earned a 6-3 win at the Scottrade Center on Jan. 2, went 8-2-1 in its last 10 at home against St. Louis, although two of the losses came last season.

The Blackhawks dropped four of six to the Blues in 2008-09, but have bounced back as Patrick Sharp, Tomas Kopecky and Brian Campbell have two goals apiece in the season series. Patrick Kane has four assists in the two victories.

Center Dave Bolland is expected to play his first game since undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disc Nov. 10.

Cristobal Huet started both games against St. Louis and posted a 1.41 goals-against average in his last five matchups with the Blues. Quenneville, though, will start Antti Niemi, who has never faced them.

Niemi, pulled from his previous start Jan. 23 against Vancouver, will be in net against a team that has scored two goals in four straight games and split its last four on the road.

"He hasn't played in a while," Quenneville said. "He had a tough time in Vancouver. It's a chance for him to get back in the net. Huet played some good games as well, but it's (Niemi's) chance to get back in net."

The Blues (24-22-9) fell 3-2 in overtime to visiting Columbus on Saturday night. Andy McDonald helped his team earn its sixth point in five games by scoring with 1:35 remaining in regulation.

"Getting to overtime was a little consolation, but we're looking for two points," forward David Backes said. "We need to finish the job."

With his team-leading 17th goal, McDonald extended his point streak to seven. He has three goals and four assists during the run.

Like the Blackhawks, the Blues hope to benefit from a three-day break after playing 19 times in 36 days.

The teams meet again Saturday night in St. Louis.
St. Louis Blues
24-22-9
Chicago Blackhawks
37-14-4
SCORING
139 Goals 175
241 Assists 312
380 Points 487
33 Power Play Goals 40
4 Short-Handed Goals 8
GOALIES/PENALTIES
2.66 GAA 2.24
.910 Saves % .906
4 Shutouts 8
873 PIM 621

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:37 am
by keithp40
every game counts so much now for the blues, but the next 7 are going to be tough obviously. where would taking 7 points out of the next 7 games, with a win against detriot and washington to end it off before the break leave us you think?

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:58 am
by abc789987
keithp40 wrote:every game counts so much now for the blues, but the next 7 are going to be tough obviously. where would taking 7 points out of the next 7 games, with a win against detriot and washington to end it off before the break leave us you think?
I'd think 7 points in 7 games would put us just about where we are now. We need to do better than that to move up.

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:28 am
by Sweetred95ta
It's definitely going to be a tough stretch. It should be a good game tonight. :goblues:

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:43 am
by stlmark
After a few days off we coming out flying and kick some bitch ass!

Blues 3
pricks 1

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:44 am
by abc789987
Yay! Just realized it's on CSN! I will get the game. I still hate you Dish...

Do we get to see DJ break some hands... err, heads I mean, tonight?

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 12:48 pm
by Ruutu15
Don't even bother watching this one. :okman: :wink:

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 1:02 pm
by richtedm
If King and Jansen play, Blues win.

If only Jansen plays, Blues lose a close game.

If only King plays, Blues win in extra time.

If neither play, Blues lose big.

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 1:26 pm
by Portland Blues
These next two games could be brutal...

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 1:58 pm
by keithp40
the next seven are all about survival, i think the season could be won or lost here.....if they keep their heads above water by not losing any ground, they'll pull it out......if they get it handed to them, they might as well think about next year. if they get hot and go on an unbelievable streak the next seven, hopefully the break won't cool em off too much.

go blues

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 2:38 pm
by ohio BLUES
If you ask me it blows how the Blues have sunken back into the recesses of my mind.

This game is probably a loss, and we'll lose to them at home Saturday too I'm sure. Yawn.

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 2:38 pm
by glen a richter
Blues 10
Hawks 12

Blow a 10 goal lead in the last 5 minutes + an empty netter.

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:59 pm
by WaukeeBlues
Just please for the love of God can it be a close game

Blues 2
Hawks 4

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:50 pm
by BoxCar
Negative Nancys...

Blues:4
Kariya
Tkachuk
Backes
Weaver (yep)

Blackhawks:3
Kane
Sharp
Byfuglien

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:54 pm
by gaijin
My brother will be representing up there in Chi-Town. Hope he gets out alive...

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:32 pm
by stlbluz
If we can split w/ chicago this week then I'll be happy.

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:16 pm
by fargoblues
H@e!!!!!!
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

Note 2
Hawks 4 (1 ENG):oops:

Hope I'm wrong.

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:21 pm
by sseagle
(Frank) the 'hawks
I'd like the Blues to win..

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:22 pm
by section319
Yeah, (Frank) the hawks.

Re: GDT: Blues @ 'Hawks, 7:30 PM Central, FSMW, KMOX

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:55 pm
by philco_3
9-1 Hawks.