GDT #48: Blues @ Wild| 7:00 pm CT | BSMW, 101 ESPN

[theohall]

BOTTOM LINE: St. Louis looks to keep its three-game win streak alive when the Blues take on Minnesota.

The Wild are 31-14-3 against opponents from the West Division. Minnesota averages 9.2 penalty minutes per game, the ninth-most in the NHL. Carson Soucy leads the team serving 49 total minutes.

The Blues are 22-19-6 in division matchups. St. Louis has scored 30 power-play goals, converting on 21.9% of chances.

The teams square off for the second straight game.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kirill Kaprizov has 41 total points for the Wild, 22 goals and 19 assists. Nick Bonino has three goals and eight assists over the last 10 games for Minnesota.

Ryan O'Reilly leads the Blues with 20 goals and has 45 points. Mike Hoffman has 11 points over the last 10 games for St. Louis.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wild: 7-2-1, averaging 3.8 goals, 5.8 assists, 2.1 penalties and 4.2 penalty minutes while giving up three goals per game with a .905 save percentage.

Blues: 6-4-0, averaging 3.6 goals, 6.6 assists, 3.3 penalties and 6.9 penalty minutes while allowing 2.7 goals per game with a .915 save percentage.

INJURIES: Wild: Andrew Hammond: day to day (upper-body), Nick Bjugstad: day to day (upper body).

Blues: Mackenzie MacEachern: out (upper body), Colton Parayko: day to day (upper body), Vince Dunn: day to day (upper body), Carl Gunnarsson: out for season (lower body), Oskar Sundqvist: out for season (knee).

[gaijin]

Let's keep the streak rolling. Hopefully two wins against the Avs and this last one against the Wild are giving this team some confidence.

[WaukeeBlues]

As I mentioned in my other post, Faulk played almost 30 minutes last night. Woof. I hope the boys have some legs tonight.

They should... they didn't skate for the whole 2nd period last night so...

I hope the boys slept well last night and get plenty of stretching in before tonight but even so, "I've got a bad feeling about this"

Wild 4
Blues 2

[gaijin]

I hope the boys slept well last night and get plenty of stretching in before tonight but even so, "I've got a bad feeling about this"

I can't really shake that same feeling, but you never know. The back-to-back affects both teams, so hopefully the Wild are tired as well. It just seems like the Blues are always affected worse than their opponents, doesn't it?

And don't give that CapriSun kid any room to skate.

[theohall]

Who will be in goal tonight with it being a b2b? If it's Husso, I'd be projecting a loss unless he stands on his head which he's rarely done this season. Maybe the Blues "got their legs" in the 3rd and it will carry over tonight. I feel confident the physical stuff at the end of the 2nd last night along with Binner being Binner as he left the ice at that time seemed to have gotten them fired up. Stay that way, please!!

[Portland Blues]

Good start.

[Robb_K]

Nice to see Blais continue to play well since his return to the lineup, driving to the net often, and setting up there. Nice deflection goal. Good for The Blues to score first.

And The Blues are on the power play, so maybe they can extend their lead.

[Robb_K]

The Blues were pretty sloppy on that power play. Maybe Bortuzzo's fight can help The Blues capture back the momentum.

[Robb_K]

Great skate save by Husso!!!

[Portland Blues]

Hoping we have a less-sucky 2nd period than the past several games.

[Robb_K]

I got my wish!!! The Blues score next!!! Bozak with the shorty on a nifty backhand then forehand for the flip-in!!! Blues lead 2-0!!!

And they make the kill, too!!!

[Robb_K]

And now Scandella scores!!! - joining the rush and shooting a strong shot after a nice pass from Kyrou!! Blues lead 3-0!!!

[ibldbl]

Hope Kyrou isn't concussed. He didn't look so good after that hit.

[Robb_K]

Great that Husso has kept all the loose pucks under him, and not let any be muscled into the net. His play has really impressed me tonight.

[ibldbl]

Hope Kyrou isn't concussed. He didn't look so good after that hit.

And Kyrou is back. YES!

[theohall]

Husso, even though the Blues have kept the shots down, has been on in this one for the tough difference making type saves. Keep it up for the 3rd.

[ibldbl]

Anyone else thinking we are seeing a reversal of last night? Sure hope not...

[ibldbl]

O'Reilly with the PPG! 4-2 Blues!

[Robb_K]

O'Reilly blasts in the power play goal!!! Blues lead 4-2!!!

[ibldbl]

Blues gotta make it interesting. Give up a goal to make it 4-3