GDT: 3/24/10 - Blues @ Wings -- 6:30pm, FSMW, KMOX

[cprice12]

Let's see if we can help Calgary get in the playoffs instead of Detroit.

[DaDitka]

There are games left?

I guessing Conks in the pipes tonight, so W.

[gaijin]

Let's see if we can help Calgary get in the playoffs instead of Detroit.

Hell, we don't need that for motivation- it's Detroit!

[gaijin]

Yahoo sports preview:

If the St. Louis Blues want to keep any realistic playoff hopes alive, they probably need a victory Wednesday night.

Otherwise, the Detroit Red Wings would continue their impressive surge toward a 19th consecutive postseason berth, all but eliminating their Central Division rivals in the process.

The Blues, however, have already won twice at Joe Louis Arena, where they’ll take their stellar road record as they try to begin a final push.

A regulation defeat would leave a 10-point gap with nine games remaining between St. Louis (34-29-9) and the Red Wings, who have regained a grip on the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference by going 5-0-1 in their last six.

Detroit (36-23-13) has battled injuries and surprising struggles after reaching the Stanley Cup finals in 2009 and winning the Cup the previous year, but the Wings served notice that they could be a postseason factor again with a 3-1 win over defending champion Pittsburgh on Monday night.

“This is the best run we’ve been on all year,” coach Mike Babcock said. “We’re desperate to try to get into the playoffs. We have proud players who have done a lot of winning over a long period of time.

“We’d all like to get into the tournament and we think we have a shot if we get in.”

Some familiar faces have carried the Red Wings to an 8-2-1 record since the Olympic break. Henrik Zetterberg has 15 points in that stretch, notching two goals and an assist Monday, with Pavel Datsyuk adding 11 points and captain Nicklas Lidstrom chipping in 10.

All three played a key role in shutting down the Penguins’ high-powered offense.

“We’re doing a good job as a five-man unit,” Zetterberg said.

Pittsburgh was 0 for 1 on the power play, becoming the ninth straight Detroit opponent that has failed to score with the man advantage.

A big reason for the string of 24 straight successful penalty kills has been rookie Jimmy Howard, who has compiled a 2.28 goals-against average while starting the last 19 games.

Detroit also has a chance to move up in the standings Wednesday. The Red Wings would pull even with seventh-place Colorado if they win and the Avalanche lose to Los Angeles in regulation later that night.

The Blues are desperate to join the mix, something that has become more realistic after a 9-4-0 stretch.

A 3-2 loss to Nashville on Sunday night, though, did not help. The Blues were outshot 39-25, blowing a 2-1 lead by allowing two goals in a 48-second span late in the third period.

“It hurts tremendously,” interim coach Davis Payne said. “It stings pretty good.”

St. Louis hopes hitting the road will help. The Blues are an NHL-worst 12-18-5 at home, but their 22-11-4 road record is the second-best in the league. They’ve won six of eight away from home since the Olympics.

They’ve also won both trips to Detroit. Backup Ty Conklin, who won 25 games for the Red Wings last season, beat his former team with 42 saves in a 1-0 win in the most recent visit Dec. 9.

The Blues, 4-0-1 overall against Detroit, have not won three times at Joe Louis Arena since 1990-91.

Conklin may get another start after making 29 saves in a 1-0 win at New Jersey on Saturday. Starter Chris Mason is 0-3-0 with a 4.79 GAA in his last three starts.

We may not make the playoffs, but that bolded stat makes me smile.

[WaukeeBlues]

This is the season for St. Louis -- a loss and its playoff hopes are all but dead. Unfortunately for the Blues, they're catching the Wings at a time when Detroit is getting healthier and starting to round into form.

We are away from home... anything can happen

Now it IS a must win

Blues 4
Red Wings 3

[dmiles2186]

I say we dress King, Janssen, Crombeen, and Winchester. Because tonight, we crack skulls. If we aren't making the playoffs, neither are the Wings.*

But seriously---would like to see the Blues keep on winning, though my optimism is at a season-low. I'm clinging to the 2% chance we can make it in. But if we're losing by more than 3 going into the 3rd....it's time for blood to spurt from mouths and noses.

[kodos]

This season is over... BUT... a win against the Wings tonight would hurt them pretty badly... so **** em.

That said...

Wings: 11
Blues: Negative 2


I'm actually done this year. I know I've said it before, but I mean it now. I'm not watching these games anymore. Not going to even bother.

[fargoblues]

I say we dress King, Janssen, Crombeen, and Winchester. Because tonight, we crack skulls. If we aren't making the playoffs, neither are the Wings.*

This, and call up Ogie Oglethorpe. This is the game where the Blues can make a difference--by beating the shit out of those pussies. Who cares about the score. The only stat I want to see at the end of the game is PIMs and suspensions. Run 'em. Stick 'em. Hack 'em. Smash 'em. (Frank) 'em.

[gaijin]

I say we dress King, Janssen, Crombeen, and Winchester. Because tonight, we crack skulls. If we aren't making the playoffs, neither are the Wings.*

This, and call up Ogie Oglethorpe. This is the game where the Blues can make a difference--by beating the shit out of those pussies. Who cares about the score. The only stat I want to see at the end of the game is PIMs and suspensions. Run 'em. Stick 'em. Hack 'em. Smash 'em. (Frank) 'em.

Goon?

[philco_3]

Red Wings 6-1.

[stinkdified]

i think i'm going to leave work early to go drink so i can handle watching this game.

[philco_3]

I say we dress King, Janssen, Crombeen, and Winchester. Because tonight, we crack skulls. If we aren't making the playoffs, neither are the Wings.*

This, and call up Ogie Oglethorpe. This is the game where the Blues can make a difference--by beating the shit out of those pussies. Who cares about the score. The only stat I want to see at the end of the game is PIMs and suspensions. Run 'em. Stick 'em. Hack 'em. Smash 'em. (Frank) 'em.

Goon?

I will say this I would love to see it.

[WaukeeBlues]

1-0 at the end of one, looking good.

Five minutes into the second period, down 2-1.

Epic Fail

[Portland Blues]

2 shots on a 4 minute power play...

[ComradeT]

So are we playing like shite or is the 3rd period worth watching?

...Wait... 3rd period is never worth watching... What am I thinking!!

[Portland Blues]

Nice......

[glen a richter]

And they piss down their legs again.

[WaukeeBlues]

Game. Set. Match. No playoffs this season.

It was a long shot anyway, Detoilet has been on fire, they're not dropping 5 of their last 10 games, it wasn't going to happen. Oh well.

[fargoblues]

how is Korea the player of the game?
weak.

[Nyghtewynd]

Bench the fossils and bring up some kids already. Time to sell the last of the season tickets for 1/2 price otherwise.

Thank you, Dish Network.