ST. Louis – When the Blues de Saint-Louis Opt for a sequence of 11 consecutive victories of 11 games against the Pittsburgh penguins (7 p.m.; Fdsnmw, espn 101.1-fm), they will have to do it against the team that may have given them a “L.”
The Blues (41-28-7) did not lose in three weeks during the day, and this last defeat on March 13 was against these same penguins (30-34-11), by a count of 6-3.
Things have radically changed for blues, which are linked to
Minnesota Wild With records and identical points, the Wild holding the equal break depending on the victories in regulation (33-30).
But it goes without saying that the blues have been more than sharpened since the last time they played the Penguins.
“I didn’t think we were hard enough offensively, we did not deprive their goalkeeper”, Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “They did a good job by boxing us. We must be more difficult to offensively this evening to succeed. This is the biggest point to remember. “
Penguin coach Mike SullivanWho knows one thing or two about the taking of a team in mid-season, believes that the blues are a team that buzzes and attributes Montgomery for reversal.
“He did a good job,” said Sullivan. “Obviously, they made a fairly good race here in the last month and more. They are 10-0 in their last 10. I do not think they have lost since the last time we played them. This is a pretty good race. Monty is a good coach. He did a good job with these guys.”
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The blues do not change their alignment from the prolongation victory on Tuesday 2-1
against Detroit Red WingsIn particular by playing the choice of the first round in 2022 (n ° 23) Jimmy Snuggerud in his second NHL match.
“He impressed me live,” said Montgomery. “It’s just his ability to see the ice very well, made very good decisions and he fought hard.
“I think he played very well, looked comfortable. It was an easy adjustment to be honest.”
A change to the list is the blues which attributes the first round in 2023 and the choice n ° 10 Dalibor Dvorsky in Springfield of the American Hockey League after the 19 -year -old played during his debut in the NHL on March 23 against the Nashville predators But was a healthy scratch in each of the last four games.
“When you are 19, you have to play games,” said Montgomery. “Right now, with our team that plays so well, I haven’t seen the opportunity to stop.”
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Blues projected line:
Jake Neighbours-Robert Thomas-Pavel Buchnevich
Dylan Holloway-Brayden Schenn-Jordan Kyrou
Zack Bolduc-Oskar Sundqvist-Jimmy Snuggerud
Alexey tortopchenko-ray faksa-Nathan Walker
Cam Fowler-Nick Leddy
Philip Broberg-Justin Faulk
Ryan Suter-Tyler Tucker
Joel Hofer will start with the goal; Jordan Binnington will be the backup.
Healthy scratches include Matthew Kessel,, Alexandre Texier And Mathieu Joseph. Colton Parayko (knee) came out. Torey Krug (The ankle) was released for the season.
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Penguins Project Linep:
Rutger McGroarty-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust
Connor Dewar-Drkard Rakell-Ville Koivunen
Kevin Hayes-Noel Acciari-Philip Tomasino
Danton Heinen-Blake Lizotte-Joona Koppanen
Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang
Conor Timmins-Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves-Vladislav Kolyakonok
Tristan Jarry will start with the goal; Alex Nedeljkovic will be the backup.
Healthy scratches include Ryan Shea And
Emil Bemstrom.
Evgeni Malkin (upper body), Po Joseph (high body) and
Tommy Novak (The lower body) were out.
