Let's Go Blues

The St. Louis Blues are quickly making the transition from early surprise to legitimate Western Conference contender.

Finally solving the Dallas Stars would prove that even more.

St. Louis looks to end a five-game losing streak against Dallas when the teams meet Monday night at the Scottrade Center.

The Blues (20-10-4) improved to 6-1-1 in their last eight games with a 3-2 win at Phoenix on Friday night, moving within four points of West-leading Chicago.

"We really gutted it out," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "Both teams, especially in the second and third periods, really went right at each other."

Continuing the team's trend of outstanding goaltending, Brian Elliott made 24 saves. He's 14-3-0 with a league-best 1.55 goals-against average, while teammate Jaroslav Halak is 5-1-4 with a 1.75 GAA since a rocky start.

Halak's strong stretch coincides with Hitchcock's tenure. Since firing Davis Payne on Nov. 6 and replacing him the former Stars coach, St. Louis has gone 14-3-4 to surge into second place in the Central Division.

Hitchcock presided over some of the best days in Dallas' history, guiding the franchise to its first Stanley Cup title in 1999, then back to the finals the following season.

Now looking to lead St. Louis to those same heights, Hitchcock first hopes to help end his current club's skid against the Stars.

The Blues didn't get off to a very good start in the first meeting of the season Oct. 13, allowing the first three goals and falling 3-2. That marked the fifth straight win in the series - by a combined margin of six goals - for Dallas, which has been playing well despite the absence of injured goaltender Kari Lehtonen.

The Stars (20-13-1) have won five of seven and are tied with San Jose for the Pacific Division lead after Friday's 6-3 win over Nashville - aided by 34 saves from Richard Bachman.

The rookie has started each game during Dallas' hot stretch, posting a 2.72 GAA, and coach Glen Gulutzan has been confident riding Bachman.

"He's had tough times in that we're playing him in just about every game," Gulutzan said. "I thought he made some key saves (Friday)."

Gulutzan said Lehtonen (groin) is expected to return before the new year, though the exact date is unclear.

Lehtonen made 36 saves in the first meeting with the Blues, while Loui Eriksson scored short-handed and Brenden Morrow added a power-play goal for the eventual winner.

Eriksson, who has three goals and three assists in his last five games versus St. Louis, had a goal and an assist Friday to give him two goals and six assists during a five-game point streak.

Michael Ryder scored his team-leading 13th goal and added two assists, while Jamie Benn also scored. Each has seven points during a five-game point streak.

Matt D'Agostini scored for the Blues in the first meeting, and he registered his first multipoint game of the season Friday with a goal and an assist.

Stars defensemen Sheldon Souray (ankle) and Stephane Robidas (foot) are nursing injuries, meaning Dallas may be without its two leaders in ice time.

The Stars have won three of their last four visits to St. Louis, but the Blues have been sharp at home all season, winning five straight there to improve to 13-3-1.

deadphish wrote:No Timmy-Time tonight or tomorrow.

sseagle wrote:We should go 4-0 this week, for my birthday and all.