TEAM SNAPSHOTS
BLUES After a 6-4 win over division-rival Minnesota Wild in the 2022 Discover NHL Winter Classic, the St. Louis Blues look to keep collecting points as they travel to Pittsburgh on Wednesday.
The cold didn't seem bother the Blues too much - they brought some serious heat to both the pregame 'fits and the game itself. Recording two goals and two assists - all in the second period - Jordan Kyrou set the League record for points in an outdoor game. This performance, on top of his three-point effort in a win over Edmonton, earned Kyrou the top spot on the League's weekly Three Stars list.
Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh will complete a short two-game road trip, followed by five straight at Enterprise Center. The Blues have been one of the League's best home teams this season, carrying a 12-3-2 record on home ice. While still posting a positive record on the road, they will look to add to their 17 total road points (7-6-3 record) on Wednesday.
The Blues have weathered a tumultuous period of injuries and COVID protocol absences, and with Brayden Schenn activated from IR and likely to play Wednesday, they are now the healthiest they've been since late November. Not only did they stay afloat during this stretch, they excelled to a 9-2-2 record, including wins over Eastern Conference contenders Tampa Bay and Florida.
"Going into the springtime, you want to be playing your best hockey, which I think is still ahead of us," said Blues Head Coach Craig Berube after Saturday's icy win. "We have a lot of good players, we have real good camaraderie on our team, and I think [they're] doing a real good job of putting the team first."
The Blues are battling with Nashville, Colorado and Minnesota for the top spot in the Central Division, holding onto first place as of Tuesday afternoon with 43 points and a record of 19-9-5.
PENGUINS The Pittsburgh Penguins are playing some of the best hockey in the NHL right now, carrying a League-high eight-game win streak into Wednesday's matchup. The most recent was an impressive eight-goal performance against the San Jose Sharks on Sunday, highlighted by hat tricks from both Bryan Rust and Evan Rodrigues.
Rodrigues and Rust became just the second set of teammates in the past 10 years to record a hat trick in the same game. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Leon Draisaitl accomplished the feat for the Oilers in 2019.
"I was just happy to be back in the lineup out there," Rust said. The 29-year-old forward had just come back from 11 missed games with a lower-body injury. "Playing again and being around the guys, doing all that. To have the night I did is just kind of the cherry on top."
Opposite the Blues returning for a long homestand, Pittsburgh is heading out for a six-game road trip after they host Wednesday's matchup.
Still without forward Evgeni Malkin and missing Sidney Crosby for a number of games to start the season, the Penguins have had to rely on other skaters for point contributions to begin their season. However, since his return, the Penguins' captain has gotten his season going quickly. Crosby is already up to fourth on the team with 20 points in 19 games played.
Between the pipes, the Penguins have had little to worry about with Tristan Jarry. One of the best goaltenders in the League this season, Jarry currently ranks third in the NHL in save percentage, goals-against average and shutouts.
Overall, Pittsburgh holds an 18-8-5 record, worth 41 points and fourth place in a competitive Metropolitan Division as of Tuesday afternoon.
HEAD-TO-HEAD Wednesday will mark the first bout between the Blues and the Penguins since Dec. 4, 2019.
The Blues have a slight edge in the matchup's recent history, holding a 5-4-1 record dating back to 2015-16.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BLUES Jordan Kyrou didn't skip a beat after his return from injury, earning League-wide recognition by recording seven points in his two games back. His 32 points rank second on the team this year, and Wednesday will mark his first career game against Pittsburgh.
PENGUINS Sidney Crosby remains one of the best hockey players in the world in his 17th NHL season. The 34-year-old forward has 11 points during the Penguins' eight-game win streak, and overall has 18 points in 18 career games against the Blues.
Two of the hottest teams in the NHL clash Wednesday when the St. Louis Blues visit the Pittsburgh Penguins, and both clubs could be set to welcome back personnel.
The Blues are 7-1-1 in their past nine games and are coming off a 6-4 victory Saturday at Minnesota in the frigid outdoor Winter Classic.
The surge has raised questions of just how good the Blues might be. The 2019 Stanley Cup champions are wondering as well.
"That's a tough question," St. Louis coach Craig Berube said. "We've got to just keep working on things and getting better. There's a lot of hockey to be played. Going into the springtime, you want to be playing your best hockey. That's still ahead of us.
"We have a lot of good players. We have real good camaraderie on our team. The team's really doing a good job of putting the team first. That's a big thing for us, putting the team first. I really like the chemistry of this team. But again, there's a lot of hockey to be played."
Forward Vladimir Tarasenko is a believer in the team's potential.
"Honestly, this team can be pretty good," he said.
What's more, St. Louis could have its full roster available for the first time this season. Over the past two games, nine players have become available after being hurt or in COVID-19 protocol.
Forward Brayden Schenn (lower body) came off injured reserve Monday, while defenseman Robert Bortuzzo could be activated from the COVID-19 list in time for Wednesday's game.
"It's nice to have guys back," Tarasenko said.
St. Louis totaled 10 goals in the two victories over Edmonton and Minnesota, with six of them coming from players just back in the lineup.
Pittsburgh, which has won eight consecutive games, isn't expected be at full strength Wednesday.
Center Evgeni Malkin is close to making his season debut after June knee surgery but probably won't play against the Blues. Forwards Jeff Carter and Drew O'Connor are in COVID-19 protocol, and winger Jason Zucker is week-to-week because of a lower-body injury.
But the Penguins could be about as close to full strength as they have been in some time.
Winger Kasperi Kapanen and No. 1 goaltender Tristan Jarry are out of COVID-19 protocol and practiced Tuesday. Jarry, who had "mild symptoms," according to coach Mike Sullivan, has won each of his last five starts and is among the NHL leaders with a 1.93 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage.
Jarry's return seems crucial, as backup Casey DeSmith wasn't in top form Sunday when the Penguins beat San Jose 8-5. Pittsburgh raced to a 6-1 lead in the first period before the Sharks closed to within a goal in the third.
Like the Blues, Pittsburgh is on a run that could cast a positive light on the balance of the season, particularly with the way the team has handled the absence of several key players.
The team's depth is especially apparent among the forwards.
"We roll four lines, and we have a next-man-up mentality," said forward Evan Rodrigues, who is coming off a hat trick Sunday and is the Penguins' most pleasant surprise this season with a career-high 13 goals.
"I think if everyone does their job and stays confident, we'll be fine."
