St. Louis Blues Game Preview: Team Looks to Keep Winning Streak Alive Against Winnipeg Jets
The St. Louis Blues play their third-to-last game of the 2014-15 regular season on Tuesday night, facing off against the division rival Winnipeg Jets at Scottrade Center. Though the Blues-Jets rivalry has been intense this season, the Blues have done a good job of controlling it. Though the Blues lost the teams’ last meeting in a shootout, they’ve taken the victory in the other three matchups and have delivered strong efforts against the Jets all season. There will be extra motivation to take care of the pesky Jets on Tuesday night, as first place is on the line. With the Nashville Predators (second place, 104 points) and Chicago Blackhawks (third place, 102 points) facing off against the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild, respectively, on Tuesday evening, the Blues, who sit in first place with 105 points, probably need a victory to maintain their position in the standings.
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The Blues have officially created a goalie controversy now that presumed backup Jake Allen is starting a second game in a row on Tuesday night and will start for the third time in the past four games. It appears that coach Ken Hitchcock will let the hottest performer between Allen and Brian Elliott handle the load as the playoffs start. Tuesday will be a great opportunity for Allen to form a firmer grip on that role.
Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo will be out with an injury on Tuesday night, so with forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Steen already injured, that will leave the Blues with two healthy scratches. Forward Chris Porter and defenseman Chris Butler are expected to be the odd men out against Winnipeg, as defenseman Carl Gunnarsson will get back into the lineup, while veteran forward Olli Jokinen did well to push himself ahead of Porter on Sunday night by scoring an impactful goal against the Chicago Blackhawks.