GDT #36: 12/29/14 | 7:00PM CST | v Avalanche | FSMW/KMOX

[dmiles2186]

The comforts of home are usually kind to the St. Louis Blues, but even a return to the Scottrade Center has failed to reunite them with the win column.

St. Louis will look to break out of its season-worst four-game losing streak Monday night when it hosts the Colorado Avalanche.

The Blues (21-11-3) entered the Christmas break with three consecutive losses, all on the road, then came home following the layoff and fell again, 4-3 to Dallas on Saturday for their first regulation home loss since Nov. 8.

"I think the mistakes are the same they've been for four games," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "Other than the game in San Jose, I think they've been the same mistakes. Can't defend in our own zone. We're going to have to play with the same ferocity in our zone that we do in the offensive zone."

The four-game skid, which includes losses in Los Angeles, San Jose and Colorado, has displayed a dramatic shift in both offensive and defensive production for St. Louis.

Through 31 games, the Blues had averaged 31.8 shots while allowing just 26.9 - the second-best mark in the NHL through Dec. 17. In four games since, however, St. Louis has managed only 26.8 shots per game and allowed 33.0.

That trend realigned Saturday with the Blues holding Dallas to 24 shots, but the result remained the same as goaltender Jake Allen had 20 saves. Martin Brodeur gets the nod Monday looking to bounce back from a 6-4 loss in Los Angeles in his last start.

Both Brodeur and Allen continue to serve as placeholders while the Blues await the return of opening-day starter Brian Elliot, who posted a 1.82 goals against average before suffering a lower-body injury Nov. 25. Elliot is expected to rejoin the Blues in the "next several days," according to the team's website.

Vladimir Tarasenko continues to serve as a bright spot for St. Louis, picking up his 21st goal Saturday to match his career best from last season.

Colorado (13-14-8) blanked Tarasenko and the Blues 5-0 in the most recent meeting on Tuesday. The Avalanche, though, failed to carry any momentum through the holiday break and lost 5-2 in Chicago on Saturday.

Erik Johnson got his sixth goal in as many games and is tied for the league lead among defensemen with 10 goals - which matches a career best for the seven-year veteran.

Of course, he'd sacrifice that production if it meant boosting Colorado out of last place in the Central Division.

"I'd trade it for a win any day of the week," Johnson said to the Avalanche's official site. "It's just a number, but it's good to contribute and hopefully I can continue to do that in winning ways."

Semyon Varlamov, who beat St. Louis in his return from injured reserve Tuesday, owns an impressive 1.75 GAA against the Blues in his career, including three shutouts in his last eight meetings. He is 5-6-6 with a 3.01 GAA overall this season.

[abc789987]

Are we going to shat the bed again?

How about they play like we all know they can?

[ecbm]

Just win, baby!





Seriously, they need to win. Tonight.

[cprice12]

I'm really looking forward to this game. It will be interesting to see how they respond to the beating the Avs dished out to them less than a week ago.

I was thinking that I am not looking forward to Brodeur being in net...but then again, I have little confidence in Allen right now.
So whatever.
This should/could be Brodeur's last game being dressed as a Blue. Let's hope it's a good one.

[drwoland]

Blues 5
Avs 0

Can't be any other way.

[dmiles2186]

These are weird.

[tweet][/tweet]

[cprice12]

These are weird.

[tweet][/tweet]

I feel bad for Stastny.

[drwoland]

These are weird.

[tweet][/tweet]

Berglund right where he belongs!

I'd sooner move Backes to the wing than Stastny to the 3rd line.

Glad Porter and Reaves are gonna get a chance to play with some skill guys.

Overall, this reeks of "You guys don't realize how good you have it. Here's some line combinations that will make you remember."

[ComradeT]

So Hitch doesn't want to break up Oshie/Backes/Steen line, that's cool. I like Porter's addition to the TL pairing. He will probably spend the time on the boards giving Tarasenko the chance to actually shoot the puck instead of digging for it. Reaves with Stastny and Jaskin is not bad either. Two skilled guy + a bruiser may work out.

Obviously, if Blues don't win, these are horrible ideas. What is Hitch thinking?!! Abandon ship!!! Even JNE said that!

Blues - 5
Avs - 4 (I just don't see Brodeur pitching a shut-out).

[glen a richter]

After this game, we can start asking how the Marty Brodeur area will be remembered.

I'll remember it as such: I bitched and whined about him being on the team, got put in my place when he saved Allen's ass in the Islanders game, and then he's been more or less blah to crappy the rest of the time.

The missus was watching the Rags game the other night and they put up a stat that Henrik Lundqvist has 325 wins in his first 600 games and only three other goalies have achieved that milestone in as few games. All three have played for the Blues: Plante, Brodeur and much to my surprise, Osgood. So at least we have that bit of trivia from the Brodeur area. Maybe in 10 years when he's beyond useful anymore, we can sign Lundqvist to a similar contract and have all four.

[dmiles2186]

http://us19.chatzy.com/81225078408489

[WaukeeBlues]

Still pregame? Enough time for prediction?

REBOUND BIOTCHES

Blues 4
Avs 0

Broduer with his first shutout in the 'Note. Paajarvi throws a temper tantrum

[WaukeeBlues]

These are weird.

[tweet][/tweet]

I feel bad for Stastny.

I don't. These are the lineups we should've had from day 1 (sans having Porter playing with Lehtera and Tarasenko as opposed to Schwartz).

Took an inordinately long period of time to put Backes, Oshie and Steen back on the same line, you can't separate Lehtera and Tank... so that leaves the third line as the soonest place to put Stastny.

At least they gave him Jaskin to try and get some plays.

Berglund on the fourth line. Quite appropriate.

[Oaklandblue]

Sing loudly boys and show these fokers what a true Avalance is.

Blues 10
Avs -1

[Oaklandblue]

These are weird.

[tweet][/tweet]

If Bergy could/would hit, that line would be vicious as hell.

[Slim]

Reaves and Jaskin looked damn good. Hell, the whole team looked real good. Very good bounce back game.

[Toasted Oates]

So Hitch doesn't want to break up Oshie/Backes/Steen line, that's cool. I like Porter's addition to the TL pairing. He will probably spend the time on the boards giving Tarasenko the chance to actually shoot the puck instead of digging for it. Reaves with Stastny and Jaskin is not bad either. Two skilled guy + a bruiser may work out.

Obviously, if Blues don't win, these are horrible ideas. What is Hitch thinking?!! Abandon ship!!! Even JNE said that!

Blues - 5
Avs - 4 (I just don't see Brodeur pitching a shut-out).

Sick work on the reverse hex, man. Glad to see Stastny get off the floor and on the board. Pietrangelo would have had a sparkling game if he hadn't tried to dust that puck off with about 5 1/2 minutes left. He's looked better since the holiday break though. Porter's fall looked pretty bad. He leaves it all out there, so that's a huge bummer.

Kudos to the head coach. He shuffled the lines in a mad scientist fashion and they got the message. Hell, if Elliott can't start tomorrow, I'd skate the old man out there again. It'll be a big Tuesday tilt.

[WaukeeBlues]

Still pregame? Enough time for prediction?

REBOUND BIOTCHES

Blues 4
Avs 0

Broduer with his first shutout in the 'Note. Paajarvi throws a temper tantrum

Dang I was close!!!

[abc789987]

[tweet][/tweet]Well that doesn't sound too good...

Nice win tonight!

[drwoland]

[tweet][/tweet]Well that doesn't sound too good...

Nice win tonight!

Ya they had a real shitty angle on the Porter injury, but it looked a bit like what happened to Oshie's leg when he fell backwards and it got pinned under him when he snapped his ankle. I bet we don't see Porter for a while Bummer, because the guy is as hard a worker as we've got on this team, and I think it has an effect on the rest of the team when he's in there firing on all cylinders.