GDT #58: Blues @ Predators | 11:30 pm CT | BSMW, NHLN, 101 ESPN
Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2022 8:41 am
Game is NHL Network Showcase game today for those of us out of the Blues and Predators markets
TEAM SNAPSHOTS
BLUES The Blues ended their four-game skid in a big way Thursday night, scoring early and often en route to a 6-2 win over the New York Rangers. Five Blues recorded multi-point games, including Robert Thomas, who notched two goals. Goaltender Ville Husso stopped 27 of 29 shots for his 14th win of the season.
"These a certain way you have to play to be successful," said head coach Craig Berube. "For three games, we didn't do that. Tonight, we did it again and we were successful."
PREDATORS The Predators earned a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night. Matt Duchene and Filip Forsberg led the way on offense with three points each while goaltender Juuse Saros made 27 saves in net. It was Nashville's third consecutive win, having outscored their opponents 14-2 during the stretch.
"We were pretty average tonight, but found a way to get it done." Duchene told NHL.com. "We got some big saves and special teams were big. You're not going to be at your best every night, but we still found a way."
HEAD-TO-HEAD There's plenty on the line Saturday as the two division opponents face off. The Blues are just three points ahead of the Predators as the teams fight for a playoff spot in a crowded Central Division. The two teams will see each other one more time in the regular season, an April 17 matchup at Bridgestone Arena.
The Blues are 1-0-1 against the Preds this season and 1-1-1 in their last three trips to Nashville.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BLUES Forward David Perron has five goals and seven points in his last five games. He has been reunited on a line with Ryan O'Reilly, who has five points in his last five games.
PREDS Goaltender Juuse Saros has started 48 of the Predators' 57 games this season, registering a 2.38 save-percentage and .925 goals-against average. He has faced the second-most shots (1,498) among all goaltenders this season.
BLUE NOTES
Brayden Schenn registered two assists on Thursday to reach 500 career points … Ville Husso ranks second among all goaltenders (minimum 10 games) with a .930 save-percentage and fifth with a 2.16 goals-against average this season … The Blues power play shares third at 25.3 percent this season and the team is 24-7-3 when scoring at least one power-play goal … Justin Faulk ranks seventh overall with a +34 rating this season.
While the St. Louis Blues hope to build on a needed victory, the Nashville Predators seem poised to continue their recent run of success.
Trying to win back-to-back games for the first time this month, the visiting Blues will look to keep the Predators from a fourth consecutive victory on Saturday.
While Colorado remains in control of the Central Division, St. Louis and Nashville are among four teams in the mix for second place. The Blues have three more points than the Predators and have taken three points from the previous two meetings between the clubs this season -- both at St. Louis.
The Blues opened March on an 0-3-1 stretch before Thursday's 6-2 home rout of the New York Rangers. Robert Thomas scored twice to match a career high with 10 goals on the season. David Perron and Ryan O'Reilly each had a goal with an assist, and Jordan Kyrou added two assists for St. Louis, which broke out after totaling seven goals over the previous four contests.
"There's a certain way you have to play to be successful," St. Louis coach Craig Berube said. "For three games, we didn't do that. (On Thursday night), we did it again and we were successful."
Perron has five goals with three assists over his past six games, while Kyrou has four goals and eight assists in his past nine. Kyrou had two goals during a 4-3 overtime loss against the Predators on Nov. 11. Meanwhile, Perron was blanked in the previous two 2021-22 meetings with Nashville.
St. Louis' Ville Husso (2.16 goals-against average) made 27 saves Thursday to record his 14th win in 23 games this season. Meanwhile, teammate Jordan Binnington has a 3.67 GAA during his current 2-5-0 stretch.
While the Blues look to halt an 0-2-1 road slide, Nashville is aiming for a third consecutive home victory following Thursday's 4-1 triumph over Anaheim. Matt Duchene had two goals with an assist and Filip Forsberg totaled one with two assists for the Predators, who own a 14-2 scoring advantage during their current three-game overall winning streak -- which followed a 2-6-0 rut in which they allowed an average of 3.8 goals.
"We look at the standings and feel like every team is in a battle with somebody," Forsberg, who had two points in his previous five contests before Thursday, told the NHL's official website.
"(We know St. Louis is) going to be ready to roll, and it'll be a very, very fun atmosphere."
Forsberg had a goal in Nashville's 5-3 loss at St. Louis on Jan. 17. Duchene has two goals and two assists against the Blues this season, and six goals with two assists during his past four contests overall.
Nashville star Juuse Saros posted a 3.33 goals-against average while losing six of seven starts before stopping 69 of 71 shots with one shutout in the Predators' past three games. He stopped 24 of 29 shots in the January loss to the Blues.
Predators backup David Rittich (3.17 GAA) last saw action on Feb. 22, but made 33 saves in a November overtime win at St. Louis.
