GDT #32: Blues vs Oilers | 7:30 pm CT | BSMW, 101 ESPN
Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2021 5:35 am
TEAM SNAPSHOTS
BLUES The St. Louis Blues will play their first matchup in 10 days on Wednesday after three games were postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. Their last game was in Winnipeg on Dec. 19 - a 4-2 loss to the Jets.
Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola were the goal scorers for the visiting Blues, capping off a stretch of stellar play for Tarasenko, who was named the NHL's Second Star of the Week, Tarasenko's goal in Winnipeg was his fourth in his last three games and his team-leading 12th of the season.
Four Blues are expected to miss Wednesday's game while in COVID-19 protocols. Robert Bortuzzo, Dakota Joshua, Ivan Barbashev and James Neal were added to the League's protocols on Sunday. Oskar Sundqvist was cleared Tuesday and practiced with the team. He is eligible to play on Wednesday.
After using the extended break to continue their rehab, some injured Blues could make their returns on Wednesday. After Tuesday's practice, Blues Head Coach Craig Berube said that forwards David Perron, Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas - 65 points between them - look like they're ready to play.
COVID absences and injuries haven't stopped the Blues from having a successful overall December slate, going 5-2-2 as they enter their final game of the month. The Blues are now 17-9-5 on the season, good for 39 points and tied with Nashville for second in the Central Division.
Wednesday will mark both the Blues' last game of 2021 and their last game before the 2022 Discover NHL Winter Classic. The Blues and the division-leading Wild will meet in the outdoor game on Jan. 1 at 6 p.m. at Minnesota's Target Field.
OILERS The Edmonton Oilers hoped to have found their footing again recently, ending a six-game losing streak with back-to-back wins before the extended holiday break. They also won nine of their first 10 games, highlighting a desire for greater consistency approaching the second half of the year.
Forward Zach Hyman, currently fifth on the team with 19 points, is expected to make his return following a shoulder injury on Dec. 11. Hyman will rejoin an extremely talented forward group highlighted by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who are currently tied for the League lead with 49 points each.
The Oilers' last game before the holidays was a 5-3 win in Seattle. McDavid finished it off with an empty-net goal, and Draisaitl added three assists to the winning effort.
Edmonton is also dealing with some COVID-related absences, but have seen a couple of key players return to the ice this week. Forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, currently third on the team with 25 points, as well as head coach Dave Tippett, were both recently cleared from COVID-19 protocols.
Ahead of Tuesday's games, the Oilers sit at 18-11-0 with 36 points, good for third place in the Pacific Division.
HEAD-TO-HEAD The Oilers will come to St. Louis for the second time this season after coming away with a 5-4 win on Nov. 14. A goal from Kailer Yamamoto broke the tie with less than 30 seconds left to take the regulation win. The two teams will face off once more in Edmonton on April 1 to finish the season series.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BLUES Colton Parayko has eight points - all assists - in 16 career games against the Oilers. Averaging a career-high 24:15 of ice time this season, the 6-foot-6 defenseman has two points in his last three games entering Wednesday's matchup.
OILERS Draisaitl recorded three points in his last visit to Enterprise Center. The 26-year-old forward and 2019-20 Hart Trophy MVP winner has 15 points in 15 games played against the Blues over his career.
The St. Louis Blues will try to pick up where their left off before their pandemic pause when they host the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.
The Blues suffered just three regulation losses in 14 games before shutting down due to the NHL-wide COVID-19 outbreak. They went 8-3-3 during that span despite relying heavily on players called up from the AHL.
They haven't played since Dec. 19, so their post-holiday practices have felt like training camp.
"I think it's just kind of getting used to the energy of the game again," Blues defenseman Justin Faulk said. "You can't replicate it in practice; it's just not possible.
"I've said it when I was out with COVID, many teams have eight-day All-Star breaks, bye weeks, so going through this, it's a couple of days longer but we're probably practicing a little bit more than you would during those times. So I think guys will be ready."
The Oilers have not played since Dec. 18. They entered the pause having won their last two games after suffering a six-game losing streak.
Edmonton regained key forward Zach Hyman from COVID protocols along with forwards Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Devin Shore and Ryan McLeod, defenseman Cody Ceci and coach Dave Tippett. Goaltender Mike Smith has worked his way back from a persistent leg injury.
"We've had guys on our team with it but guys are coming back and hopefully that's a sign that we're trying to put it behind us," Hyman said. "But anybody who gets it can have symptoms. It's never a good thing. You wish them well. Hopefully we can dodge this for the rest of the season."
Oilers' cornerstone defenseman Darnell Nurse remains in protocols along with defensemen Duncan Keith and William Lagesson and forwards Jesse Puljujarvi, Zack Kassian.
So like the Blues, the Oilers have had to test their depth.
"Usually there's an injury bug and you're on the IR," Hyman said. "But this is different. From a management perspective, it's probably nice to see the young players, see your depth and play with more guys because, as you move through the season, you're going to need an expanded playoff roster."
The Blues have red-hot forward Ivan Barbashev currently in the protocols along with Robert Bortuzzo, Dakota Joshua and James Neal.
St. Louis is closer to full strength with forwards Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas back to active duty along with defenseman Jake Walman. Forwards Brayden Schenn and Oskar Sundqvist are progressing, but not expected to play against the Oilers.
Jordan Binnington is expected to make his second start in goal after recovering from COVID-19, with Charlie Lindgren backing him up due to Ville Husso still sidelined with a lower-body injury.
"We've been dealing with a bunch of new guys in and out throughout the whole year, so it is kind of the new normal and we're just happy to be playing hockey," Faulk said. "I don't want to be sitting at home doing nothing during this time. I think we should be playing. It's good to be out there."
