GDT #23: Blues vs Panthers | 7:00 pm CT | BSMW, 101 ESPN

[theohall]

Ville Husso provided one of the best performances of his young career on Saturday in Sunrise, FL.

The 26-year-old netminder faced 51 shots and made a career-high 48 saves in his second consecutive start with Jordan Binnington on the COVID-19 list. Husso's performance helped the Blues earn a valuable point in a 4-3 shootout loss to the League-leading Panthers.

"I need to step up and play at a good level every night. It's nice to get some back-to-back games," Husso said after Saturday's matchup. "I haven't played those for awhile. I think it's easier for me to get dialed in right away for games when you play back-to-back games. It was a tight game, kind of disappointing. But (we got) one point. They're a good hockey team, too, and we got one point so we need to look at the positive side."

Husso and the Blues will get another chance to face Florida on Tuesday when the teams complete a home and home set at Enterprise Center (7 p.m., BSMW, 101 ESPN).

The Blues will be without Binnington, Justin Faulk and Tyler Bozak, who are each still in COVID-19 protocols. David Perron, Robert Thomas, Klim Kostin and James Neal are all expected to be out with injuries, meaning the Blues could play with just 17 skaters in Tuesday's game.

HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Blues have points in three of their last four games against the Panthers. Ryan O'Reilly has 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 24 career games against Florida, while Vladimir Tarasenko has 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 13 matchups with the Panthers.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
BLUES Ville Husso's 48 saves on Saturday were the most saves by a goaltender in a game this season and the third-most by a Blues goaltender on the road. Curtis Joseph holds the team record with 51, while Jason Bachashihua ranks second with 49.

PANTHERS Sam Reinhart, who has six points (three goals, three assists) in his last three games. Reinhart is playing in his first season with Florida after a July trade from the Buffalo Sabres.

The streaking Florida Panthers will head back to the road Tuesday for the second half of their home-and-home set with the St. Louis Blues.

The Atlantic Division-leading Panthers earned a 4-3 shootout victory over the Blues on Saturday in Sunrise, Fla., for their 14th victory in 15 home games.

"They stayed with the game plan," Florida coach Andrew Brunette said. "We played a strong game, regardless of the result. We had the puck all game, it felt like. We've been so strong on pucks. When we don't have it, we get it back as soon as possible. That's been a good trait of our team here so far this year."

Florida rolls into the road contest with seven victories in its last nine games overall. Meanwhile, the Blues have earned points in four of their last five games (2-1-2).

"They're a tough team to play against," Panthers forward Sam Reinhart said. "They don't give up much."

Florida overcame three one-goal deficits Saturday to earn its third straight comeback victory.

"I liked our determination," Reinhart said. "We were able to get rewarded and win. We felt comfortable. We felt it was our best 60 (minutes) in a while. You've got to give credit to them too. It's not really a shocker it went down to the wire."

With No. 1 goaltender Jordan Binnington sidelined in COVID-19 protocols, Ville Husso (3-2-1, 2.33 goals-against average) has held up well as the starter. He made 48 saves Saturday to help the Blues salvage a point.

"I need to step up and play at a good level every night," Husso said. "It's nice to get some back-to-back games. I haven't played those for a while. I think it's easier for me to get dialed in right away for games when you play back-to-back games."

With top Florida center Aleksander Barkov out with a knee injury, Jonathan Huberdeau has been driving his team's offense. He has a goal and eight assists in his last three games.

"I'm extremely lucky to have a group like this," Brunette said. "They're fun to be around and fun to watch night in, night out. We're blessed with depth. Every guy every night is stepping up. That's fun to be a part of."

Blues defenseman Justin Faulk and forward Tyler Bozak are in COVID-19 protocol along with Binnington. With forwards David Perron, James Neal and Klim Kostin on the injured list, the depleted Blues have been forced to play with 11 forwards and seven defensemen in their last five games.

They may get down to 10 forwards and seven defensemen -- one below the roster limit -- against the Panthers if forward Robert Thomas has to miss with a nagging lower-body injury. Thomas missed practice Monday.

"We need to guys to step (because of) COVID and injuries," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "Certain guys (did), but again we've got to get more out of some guys. We need more from them."

Those players include winger Vladimir Tarasenko, who has zero goals and five assists in his last 10 games. He has no points and just three shots on goal in his last three games.

"He's not generating any offense right now," Berube said. "He's got to get on the inside more, get to the net more, things like that. We'll talk to him about it."

[theohall]

I'm shocked the NHL hasn't announced Blues games as being postponed with the Blues unable to provide an 18 skater, 2 goaltender roster - which is the minimum requirement on any game day per the CBA. Without players missing due to Covid protocol, this wouldn't even be an issue. It's not like the league hasn't postponed other games (Senators and Islanders) already.

[glen a richter]

I'm shocked the NHL hasn't announced Blues games as being postponed with the Blues unable to provide an 18 skater, 2 goaltender roster - which is the minimum requirement on any game day per the CBA. Without players missing due to Covid protocol, this wouldn't even be an issue. It's not like the league hasn't postponed other games (Senators and Islanders) already.

They dragged their feet on the Islanders for far too long and now that team is mired in shit.

Since Florida is one of the favorites to win the Cup I'm sure they'll have no problem keeping the game as scheduled. The Blues are going to get murdered tonight.

[theohall]

Win or lose, playing the Panthers to back-to-back regulation ties given the Blues manpower situation is pretty doggone impressive. It's 2 points the Blues should not have gotten at all...