The Anaheim Ducks hit the road for a two game road trip starting in St-Louis tonight. Anaheim stopped their losing streak with 2-0 win at home against Los Angeles before falling again against Washington 6-4. Backup goalie Jonas Hiller couldn't follow his shutout win with another good performance. Hiller was pulled after giving 3 goals in 6 shots against the Capitals.
St-Louis blew a late third period lead against Montreal in their last game to finally lost a 3-2 game in shootout. The Blues not only lost the game but also their top scorer Andy Mcdonald (ankle) in that contest. Mcdonald joins teammate Paul Kariya on the press box tonight. Center Patrick Berglund (groin) and T.J. Oshie (ankle) are also out. Defenseman Eric Brewer is questionnable.
Well, the Blues have a major issue here. They are running out of centers and they have to use journeyman David Backes playing at center for the first time with the Blues tonight as the no 2 center. B.J. Crombeen, Jay McClement and Yan Stastny are on the third line, Steve Wagner, Cam Paddock and Cam Janssen form the fourth line. Very tough assignment for the Blues. I think ST-Louis has only one legitimate NHL level true scoring line. You throw Ryan Getzlaf, Brendan Morrison and Rob Niedermeyer on the regular basis against the Blues centers and you have some mismatches.
I like the Ducks chances tonight. Anaheim can win this game if they stay away from the penalties box they should be ok. Five on five, they have the edge. Decent price, Blues are banged up. Ducks coach wants good effort tonight.
Anaheim (-125)
The Blues have some
St-Louis blew a late third period lead against Montreal in their last game to finally lost a 3-2 game in shootout. The Blues not only lost the game but also their top scorer Andy Mcdonald (ankle) in that contest. Mcdonald joins teammate Paul Kariya on the press box tonight. Center Patrick Berglund (groin) and T.J. Oshie (ankle) are also out. Defenseman Eric Brewer is questionnable.
Well, the Blues have a major issue here. They are running out of centers and they have to use journeyman David Backes playing at center for the first time with the Blues tonight as the no 2 center. B.J. Crombeen, Jay McClement and Yan Stastny are on the third line, Steve Wagner, Cam Paddock and Cam Janssen form the fourth line. Very tough assignment for the Blues. I think ST-Louis has only one legitimate NHL level true scoring line. You throw Ryan Getzlaf, Brendan Morrison and Rob Niedermeyer on the regular basis against the Blues centers and you have some mismatches.
I like the Ducks chances tonight. Anaheim can win this game if they stay away from the penalties box they should be ok. Five on five, they have the edge. Decent price, Blues are banged up. Ducks coach wants good effort tonight.
Anaheim (-125)
The Blues have some