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Colorado Avalanche |
6 MT / 8 ET / 3 GMT |
St Louis Blues |
| 39-23-6 | March 16th, 2010 |
32-27-9 |
| 84 pts | Scottrade Center |
73 pts |
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6th in West |
St Louis, MO |
10th in West |
Today at 6pm the Avalance take on the St. Louis Blues. The Avs are coming off back to back wins, something they haven't managed since the Olympic break and they're facing the Blues who've been curb-stomped by the Avs so far this season. Chris Stewart alone has 11 points in the 3 games they've played so far. Chris Mason has been awful against the Avs so we may be seeing a battle of the backups if Ty Conklin plays, as Peter Budaj gets his first start in 24 games. Interestingly enough, Budaj already played the Blues this season and posted a shutout in a 4-0 win. Not only that, but this game is at the Scottrade Center where the Blues are a pathetic 12-16-5.
So, should be an easy win. However, the Blues are making another late season push for the playoffs. I'd say they are the last team in the West with some small chance of knocking Detroit or Calagry out of 8th. They have won 7 of their last 9 games but one of the losses was 7-3 to the Avalanche. Clearly, Joe Sacco considers this a comparitivley easy game as he has had no trouble starting Anderson in back to back sets (or maybe Andy just needs a rest after that ridiculous Stars game) but it could be a classic trap game. The Blues are going to be extreamly desperate to win and they really are a very good team despite getting outscored 16-5 by the Avs this season. Really.
This is a good time for a winning streak. Their next two games are against the Flames and the Ducks. Every game after that (excepting the one against the Oil, who are clearly in full tank for Taylor mode) is going to be very tough so getting points here is imparative if the Avs want to keep hope alive for the division crown (I'm not holding my breath though, the Canucks are too f'ing good). Stephane Yelle and Cody McLeod are questionable for tonight's game so we may see Chris Durno or Marek Svatos back in the lineup or perhaps 7 defensemen will be dressed. This is likely Budaj's last start of the season so let's hope he goes out on a win.