Let's Go Blues

TEAM SNAPSHOTS
BLUES After playing six games in nine nights, the St. Louis Blues had a much-needed three-day break this week. This March stretch began on the wrong foot as they dropped four in a row against Eastern Conference opponents.

A dominant win over the New York Rangers at Enterprise Center on March 10 helped to shift the tide as the Blues went on to win an important game over the Nashville Predators on the road and secured a point by tying Sunday's game against the Winnipeg Jets late in the third.

In a back-and-forth battle at Enterprise Center, the Jets scored consecutive goals in the third period to take a 3-2 lead, but with a little over two minutes to go in regulation, Jordan Binnington made his way to the bench in exchange for an extra attacker. Just a few seconds later, Jordan Kyrou set up Brayden Schenn to fire in a one-timer and tie the game at 3-3.

In overtime, Winnipeg was able to maintain puck control most of the period, and won the game with a goal from Pierre-Luc Dubois.

Not including shootouts, the Blues are now 1-6 in overtime periods this season.

"Overtimes have not been good this year for us, and that's on the guys that get put on the ice to do it - myself included - and we gotta be better," said Schenn. "Maybe we're a little bit antsy to go on the attack, before we have the puck or before we finish out the defensive play."

In the Playoffs, the overtime switches from a five-minute, three-on-three period to a full 20-minute, five-on-five battle. The Blues will certainly hope that these overtime issues will go away with this change if the regular season trend continues.

The team heads into Thursday night's matchup with the Penguins in second place in a tight Central Division, with a record of 34-17-8 and 76 points.

PENGUINS After the Blues left Nashville with a 7-4 win, the Pittsburgh Penguins fell 4-1 to the Predators on Tuesday night.

The Penguins had difficulty getting pucks past goaltender Juuse Saros, who came away with 35 saves on 36 shots for the win. Backup Casey DeSmith played in net for Pittsburgh, allowing three goals on 24 shots.

While the Penguins will be looking to right the ship after a tough offensive game, the Blues could capitalize on a streakiness that Pittsburgh has shown this season. Despite a strong record and likely Playoff position, the Penguins have lost consecutive games seven times this year - the Blues have done so five times. On the opposite side, the Penguins have recorded separate win streaks of 10, six and five games.

Jake Guentzel and Sidney Crosby have been the biggest point contributors for the Penguins, with 60 and 59, respectively on the season. Evgeni Malkin's play has also been strong since his return from injury in January, scoring 24 points in 25 games.

The trip to St. Louis on Thursday will be the Penguins' second of a three-game road trip, which wraps up in Arizona on Saturday.

Pittsburgh's record of 36-16-9 is good for 81 points and third place in the Metropolitan Division as they prepare to face the Blues.

HEAD-TO-HEAD Three third-period goals by the Penguins turned the tide on the Blues' Jan. 5 game in Pittsburgh. A 3-2 lead turned into a 5-3 loss as five separate third-period penalties prevented the Blues from generating offensive momentum of their own.

Including overtime games, the Blues and Penguins have split their season series in each of the last six seasons they faced each other.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
BLUES Torey Krug, whose two points in Nashville on Saturday brought him over the 400-point mark on his career. The 30-year-old defenseman has 33 points this season, with five over his last five games.

PENGUINS Goalie Tristan Jarry sat out in Nashville, and thus would be well-rested if he gets the start in goal against the Blues. Playing in 47 out of the Penguins' 61 games, Jarry ranks in the Top-10 in the NHL this season in wins (29), save-percentage (.922), goals-against average (2.32) and shutouts (4).

BLUE NOTES
Thursday's game starts a stretch of five consecutive games against Eastern Conference teams (Columbus, Washington, Philadelphia, Carolina)... Vladimir Tarasenko sits at 496 career points with his three-point game on Sunday vs. Winnipeg and istied with Alexander Steen for fifth most in franchise history... David Perron carries an active four-game goal streak... The Blues have only lost consecutive home games twice this season, and sit fifth in the League with 43 points on home ice.

The Pittsburgh Penguins would not mind a repeat of their previous effort. However it's a better end result they desire on Thursday when they visit the St. Louis Blues.

The Penguins lost 4-1 at Nashville on Tuesday night despite outshooting the Predators 36-25.

"I really liked our energy," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "I loved our effort. I thought we played the game hard tonight. We didn't end up on the right side of the score, but I think if we bring that effort, if we bring that commitment, we're going to win a lot of games."

Pittsburgh dictated much of the action against the Predators but struggled to solve Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros.

"I thought we played a pretty good game, pretty full 60 minutes," Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues said. "This one stings a little bit because I thought we controlled a majority of the play. You've kind of got to move past it quickly and take the good from it and move on to the next one."

The Penguins are 5-2-1 since Feb. 26 as they head to St. Louis. Casey DeSmith started in net at Nashville, so Sullivan is likely to go back to No. 1 goalie Tristan Jarry, who is 29-12-6 with a 2.32 goals-against average.

The Blues are 2-3-2 in their last seven games and are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets at home Sunday.

Their schedule afforded some rest in advance of the Penguins' visit. Forward Robert Thomas (non-COVID illness) and Pavel Buchnevich (concussion protocol) are back at practice and could be available Thursday, but forward Tyler Bozak (lower-body) went on injured reserve and will be sidelined for at least four weeks.

One thing that doesn't need fixing is winger David Perron, who reunited with center Ryan O'Reilly to score eight goals in his last seven games. He scored just three goals in 33 games from Oct. 28-Feb. 25 while also missing time with COVID-19 and a concussion.

"I'm getting those opportunities," Perron said. "I think I had my part to do as well. I was working harder. Getting more on the forecheck. But I don't think (O'Reilly) and I ever doubted that we would produce. It's good to see it going again."

Said Blues coach Craig Berube: "(Perron) is more competitive in my opinion. Like with the puck, hanging onto the pucks in the offensive zone, competing with it. But it seems like he's shooting the puck better, elevating it. The power-play goal (against Nashville) was an example of that. When he's shooting the puck like that on a PP, he's got a good chance to score."

Thursday's contest begins a stretch of five straight games for the Blues against Eastern Conference teams. The Blues are 11-9-3 against the other side of the league.

Back on Jan. 5 the Penguins defeated the Blues 5-3 at home. Bryan Rust (two goals, one assists), captain Sidney Crosby (goal, assist), Rodrigues (goal, assist), Jake Guentzel (two assists) and Kris Letang (two assists) starred for Pittsburgh.

Brayden Schenn, Jordan Kyrou and Colton Parayko scored for the Blues, while Jordan Binnington allowed the five goals on 41 shots.