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GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 6:41 am
by dmiles2186
LIGHTNING (5-2-2) at BLUES (5-2-1)

TV: NBCSN, SN1

Season series: The St. Louis Blues got a goal and two assists from Alexander Steen, Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice and David Backes and Paul Stastny each had a goal and an assist in two victories against the Tampa Bay Lightning last season. Alex Killorn had two assists in two games against St. Louis.

Lightning team scope: Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy won't play, but he practiced Monday for the first time since surgery to remove a blood clot near his left collarbone and to treat a type of vascular thoracic outlet syndrome. Vasilevskiy, who was originally scheduled to miss 2-3 months, told the Tampa Bay Times he was excited for his first practice. There is no timetable for a conditioning stint with Syracuse of the American Hockey League, but he thinks he needs one or two games. His hope is to be ready Sunday when Tampa Bay hosts the Carolina Hurricanes. "I feel I can run a marathon right now," Vasilevskiy told the paper. Center Brian Boyle was back at practice Monday after missing the past two games with an undisclosed injury. He could play. Forward Cedric Paquette had a maintenance day and did not practice. St. Louis native Ben Bishop is expected to start in goal.

Blues team scope: Forwards Robby Fabbri (concussion) and Scottie Upshall (illness) will return to the St. Louis lineup, but defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (lower body) will not play. Coach Ken Hitchcock was hopeful that all three would be available. "We worked it out pretty hard today, but he's not ready to go," Hitchcock said of Shattenkirk. "Fabbri is and he'll get in. … It's really [Shattenkirk's] call now. He felt he wasn't ready, so wait another day or so." Shattenkirk feels he's close. "I was shooting for tomorrow, but it doesn't look like it's going to be a possibility," he said. Goalie Brian Elliott was sick and did not practice Monday; Hitchcock is hopeful Elliott can back up Jake Allen, who will start. The Blues have won five of the past six and three straight on home ice against the Lightning.
Prior to the season, the Tampa Bay Lightning might have pegged this stretch against four of the Central Division's five playoff teams from 2014-15 as their most difficult road trip.

The first three have been tight games requiring at least overtime, so how they grade the trip's results leans heavily on the outcome of Tuesday night's matchup with the St. Louis Blues.

After Saturday's 1-0 overtime loss to Chicago, the Lightning are 1-0-2 on the trip, which started with a 5-4 shootout loss against Nashville and 4-3 victory over Winnipeg.

Even though the Stanley Cup Final rematch again left Tampa Bay (5-2-2) on the wrong side, coach Jon Cooper drew positives.

"We're on a pretty tough road trip here going through the Central Division, and we've pointed in every game," Cooper told the team's official website. "We'll take that as a positive."

A negative has been the production of Tyler Johnson. The center had 13 goals in 26 playoff games after scoring a career-best 29 during the regular season, but he's still waiting for his first. He's scored in two of his last three against the Blues, as has Steven Stamkos.

In goal, rookie Kristers Gudlevskis faced the Blackhawks, so Ben Bishop figures to conclude the trip. Bishop, who played the first eight games, might have been showing some fatigue with a 3.21 goals-against average over a 2-1-1 span. He's 1-2-1 with a 3.28 mark against the Blues.

St. Louis (5-2-1) has won the last three meetings and five of six while limiting the Lightning to 11 goals, though it's out to end a two-game skid after Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Islanders.

It was the Blues' first game without Jaden Schwartz after he broke his ankle Friday in practice, and they've already been without Paul Stastny (broken foot). The absence of two key forwards has them with two goals in two contests, but coach Ken Hitchcock was pleased with the bulk of the game.

Alexander Steen sent it to overtime after the Blues entered the third down 2-0, and the forward has two goals and three assists in his last three against Tampa Bay.

"I thought we played great in the second and third," Hitchcock said. "Guys gave a lot, gave a lot in the second and gave a ton in the third."

But he also noted the disruption caused by the injuries. The Blues were also without defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (lower body) and Robby Fabbri (concussion), but both are expected to rejoin the lineup Tuesday.

"It just seems to be one of those weeks, it really threw us for a curve," Hitchcock said. "We jumbled lines all over the place."

The defeat began a five-game homestand, and an 0-for-8 mark in the consecutive losses has their power play (13.8 percent) near the bottom of the league. Tampa Bay, though, is near the bottom in penalty kill at 72.0 percent even after a 10-for-10 effort over the last four games.

The Blues will start Jake Allen in goal with Brian Elliott dealing with an illness. Allen, the team's first choice for the playoffs, has ceded time to Elliott after a slow start.

Allen is 1-2-0 with three goals allowed in each game, though all came on the road. He went 6-2-0 with a 1.61 GAA in his last nine at home in 2014-15, surrendering more than a goal twice.

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 8:22 am
by glen a richter
I feel infinitely better about the Mets chances tonight against Kansas City than the Blues chances tonight against Tampa Bay. Both games will end with the same score: 4-1. The home team loses both.

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:22 am
by ecbm
Getting very worried about Shatty. This reeks of an injury that the club is really hoping isn't as serious as it seems. I know this team's luck with that sort of thing.

Generally speaking, not feeling good about these next few games. Fingers crossed...

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:00 pm
by KrustyKevo
I do not feel good about this game.
4 - 2 Bolts

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 12:27 pm
by ComradeT
Screw bolts.

3-0 Blues. Allen finally has a game worthy of Elliott's backup.

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 2:26 pm
by glen a richter
If Fabbri gets concussed tonight, I don't even know what to say at that point. Try to stay healthy for more than one full game, please?

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 2:49 pm
by ecbm
glen a richter wrote:If Fabbri gets concussed tonight, I don't even know what to say at that point.
Maybe try one of these?

Image

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 3:05 pm
by ViPeRx007
I'm trying to gauge the vibe and, umm...

Blues 2
Lightning 5

If nobody gets injured it'll be sort of like a win. :?

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 3:08 pm
by cprice12
10-27-15_lightning.jpg
10-27-15_lightning.jpg (90.28 KiB) Viewed 16467 times

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 3:20 pm
by PGABluesFan
I'm going to this game, with all inclusive seats! We better score some goals tonight.

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 4:44 pm
by gaijin
2 points, please. :letsgoblues:

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 6:20 pm
by Robb_K
No Shattenkirk tonight.

The Lightning has been forcing the play early. Parayko made a great stretch pass to Tarasenko for a shot attempt. But, the puck has been in The Blues' end.

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 6:32 pm
by Robb_K
I'd have taken Reaves out, put Upshall in his place on The 4th line, and put Rattie on RW on Line 3 and moved Brouwer up to Line 2.

Great save by Allen on Kucherov.

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 6:44 pm
by Robb_K
Gomez deflects Parayko's hard shot into the net! Blues lead 1-0!!!

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 7:18 pm
by Robb_K
Nice shot by Fabbri while going down being tripped. Blues on The PP!

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 8:34 pm
by KrustyKevo
Way to prove me wrong, boys. GG

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 8:34 pm
by Robb_K
Brouwer's empty-netter on a fine tape to tape pass from Pietrangelo seals it!!! Blues win 2-0!!!

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 8:37 pm
by Robb_K
Great win for The Blues!! Good time for Allen to come up with a shutout!!!

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 8:53 pm
by Robb_K
All 5 Blues' skaters were playing superb defence, clogging up the middle, and forcing The Lightning to the outside and along the boards. They all were hustling all night. Allen DID make a few excellent saves, and Bortuzzo also had another tonight, saving the possible tying goal.

Re: GDT #9: 10/27/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Lightning | NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 8:58 pm
by Kreegz2
We were definitely the beneficiary of the officiating tonight. I counted at least 5 instances that I thought we would be penalized for sure with no call. We still played well and worked hard for the two points and the shutout against last season's top goal scorers. You can say what you want about Hitch's postseason track record with us, but in the regular season we almost never give up third period leads under his system.