GDT #1: 10/9/14 | 7:00PM CST | v Rangers | FSMW/KMOX
Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 6:22 am
AWWWW YEAH! I'm headed over tonight, so I won't be in Flashchat. Let's do this!
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This calls for some 80's hair metal...RANGERS (45-31-6) at BLUES (52-23-7)
TV: MSG, FS-MW
Season series: The St. Louis Blues have won seven of eight games, including three straight, against the New York Rangers. They swept the season series last year led by forwards David Backes and Alexander Steen, who each had two goals and five points in the two games. Backes' two goals led St. Louis to a 5-3 win at Scottrade Center on Oct. 12 that moved its record to 4-0-0 for the first time in franchise history. Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, a native of New Rochelle, N.Y., scored the tiebreaking power-play goal to lead the Blues past the Rangers 2-1 on Jan. 23 at Madison Square Garden.
Rangers team scope: The Rangers are determined to get off to a better start after opening last season with a 3-6-0 road trip. Also looking to rebound is forward Rick Nash, who after a 26-goal regular season was limited to three in 25 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Thursday presents a favorable matchup for Nash, who has 21 goals and 40 points in 50 games against the Blues.
Anthony Duclair, who led the Rangers with five points in five preseason games, is expected to make his NHL debut.
"I think it's too soon to have butterflies, but at the same time I'm pretty excited," Duclair told BlueshirtsUnited.com on Wednesday. "I'm looking forward to playing my first NHL game and it's going to be a blast for sure."
Forward Kevin Hayes (shoulder) practiced Wednesday and is day-to-day.
Blues team scope: Off consecutive first-round exits from the playoffs, the Blues upgraded at center with the signing of Paul Stastny to a four-year contract. He could get playing time with Vladimir Tarasenko (21 goals, 43 points in 64 games) and Steen, who led St. Louis with career-highs of 33 goals and 62 points last season and has 14 career points against the Rangers, including 12 in the past seven games.
"You couldn't get a better opponent to measure [against]," coach Ken Hitchcock told the Blues website. "I think we're a veteran team that has a lot of depth and I think our depth is something we're going to need to use every day to win games. I think we have a lot of substance in our lineup."
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