Blues rally past Hurricanes 5-4

Oshie scores lone shootout goal; team 

rallies from three deficits; Allen gains win in relief

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- After outscoring their opponents 20-4 during a three-game winning streak and the team in last place in the Eastern Conference coming to town, the Blues were in a dangerous position for a letdown.

And judging by the first period in which the Carolina Hurricanes dictated a lot of the play and led by two goals after two periods and had leads three different times, it seemed the Blues were destined for one of those games where leaving two points on the ice against a team it should beat look like a reality.

The Hurricanes came in healthy and gave the Blues fits, but St. Louis regrouped and gutted out a 5-4 victory on T.J. Oshie's lone goal in the shootout.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

The Blues' T.J. Oshie (right) beats Carolina goalie Cam Ward during the

shootout of Saturday's 5-4 St. Louis victory at Scottrade Center.

The Blues trailed 3-1 in the first period and 4-3 entering the third, and after a lackluster first period that resulted in starting goalie Brian Elliott get pulled from the game, the Blues needed a jumpstart.

Jake Allen came on and stabilized the net, the Blues' best players were their best, and it turned out to be one of those games where the Blues found a way.

Sometimes, that's all it takes.

"We weren't very good in the first, but basically just regrouped, took a breath and started fresh in the second period," said left wing Alexander Steen, who scored the Blues' first goal. "We wanted to make sure we weren't going to treat 'Alls' the way we treated 'Ells' in the first."

Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, who had two assists, agreed.

"Just needed to get better," Pietrangelo said. "We knew we had to be better all around starting in the 'D' zone. We had to manage pucks better. 

"We have a pretty mature group of taking ownership when we've got to be better. We all did that and got the result."

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock, who picked up his 150th career win as Blues coach, said earlier in the day that the Blues needed to play with an edge against an unknown team.

"I think the edge was the way we played in the first period," Hitchcock said. "It was pretty loose. We were just playing hockey and I thought we grabbed it a lot better in the second.

"It's hard in the league to play catch-up. We're lucky that we've got some really good offensive players that can catch games for us. it's hard playing catch-up. When you're down 3-1 and you're down (4-3), you're battling. You've got to really be battling back in the game. ... It wasn't the prettiest of the games but there were a lot of individual performances that brought us back, I'll tell you that. Some of the individual plays in the third period and end of the second were terrific. I thought what got us back in the second was our checking. We got back-checking again."

Oshie shot first for the Blues and beat Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward for his first shootout goal of the season after starting 0-for-3. 

"I usually don't celebrate after the goals, but 0-for-2, 0-for-3 before ... it was nice to get that one," Oshie said. "I've been so worried about the ice because the format now without the Zamboni's coming out. I had to just go out there and try to make a good move and if it rolled, it rolled. She stayed flat for me, for the most part, and I was able to put it in."

Allen saved three attempts by the Hurricanes' Jeff Skinner, Eric Staal and Alexander Semin.

"You just have to relax," Allen said. "You have to be a realist, you’re not going to win every shootout, but I wish I could. I just go in there and have fun with it, try to be as patient as I can and let them make the first move."

The Blues thought they won the game on Jay Bouwmeester's goal with 1:52 left in overtime, but it was waved off because Patrik Berglund interfered with Ward.

"I knew the goalie was off-balance and he kind of hit somebody or just kind of fell over," Bouwmeester said. "That's the way it goes, doesn't matter.

"You just kind of regroup. There was only a minute and a half or something. We did a good job. We haven't had many shootouts this year. It's nice to win one."

The calls were mixed on whether the call was the correct one.

The call was made by referee Steve Kozari, who had to officiate the third period, overtime and shootout as the lone referee after Rob Martell was involved in a collision in the second period and did not return. He was being evaluated for an undisclosed injury.

"It was tough. We all thought it was in," defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk said. "We really didn't see what happened and after we saw the replay, it looked like maybe Bergy touched him before the defenseman clipped him. Probably the right call; it's just tough when you're in overtime like that and you get such a big momentum change and you have to go back out and focus. We did a good job of doing it. It was a break in the game that just didn't go our way. Tonight, it felt like there were a couple more of those. We've been fortunate lately, but the good thing is we stayed with it."

Hitchcock disagreed.

"I didn't like it," he said. "My view is probably different from the league's. I think outside the blue it's anybody's ice, that's the part I don't like. The goalie owns the blue for me, but I don't like it when a goalie can attack the puck and be outside the blue and he's not fair game. He's not fair game for the scoring team, because if you have to keep avoiding him, then the goalie can play six feet outside the blue and you've got to go around him all the time. I don't like that."

The Blues scored twice in 54 seconds in the second period to tie the game 3-3 on goals by Jaden Schwartz and Berglund. David Backes had two assists, and St. Louis (26-13-3) extended its winning streak to four games. 

Victor Rask and Skinner each had a goal and an assist, and Eric Staal scored for the Hurricanes (13-24-5). Ward made 31 saves.

Allen made 19 saves. He came on in relief of Elliott, who allowed three goals on 10 shots before being pulled. 

"It was really good for Jake," Hitchcock said. "Really good for Jake to come in and help us a little bit."

Vladimir Tarasenko's Blues-leading 23rd goal tied the game for the third time at 6:46 of the third period. He received a stretch pass from defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk before beating Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason and Ward with a rebound goal off his initial shot. 

Tarasenko and Shattenkirk were named as the Blues' representatives in the 2015 Honda NHL All-Star Game earlier Saturday. 

"I think everyone in this league can make that pass up to him, but no one can really do what happens after," Shattenkirk said of Tarasenko. "I skate to the bench and next thing I know, I hear the goal horn going off. It's one of those moments again this year, you give Vladi the puck and next thing you know, it's in the back of the net.

"I see him. Based on how we run our neutral zone, we have forwards going in all three lanes. I stopped the puck, looked up and saw he was standing there at the very least to just chip it in and go to work. We all know the type of plays be can make."

Tarasenko, who scored for the first time in six games, 

"Home (run) play," Tarasenko said. "We talk a lot about it in the practice. Happy to score again.

"This is a really big win. It was a big comeback. ... We needed these two points." 

Riley Nash gave Carolina a 4-3 lead with 4:54 left in the second period off a scramble to the right of Allen. 

Schwartz got the Blues within 3-2 at 4:07 after picking off a pass in the Carolina zone, extending his point streak to four games (three goals, four assists). Berglund scored from the high slot past Ward as Steen screened the goalie at 5:01.

"Despite the slow start, we came back in the second period hot and got a couple goals to tie it up," Shattenkirk said. "I know we had one little lapse when they scored to go up 4-3, but from that moment on and in the third period, I think we played great hockey and we were able to get the tying goal and a couple good chances in overtime. It was a good effort getting it back and getting on the right side of it."

Rask's wrist shot from the left point caromed off Blues defenseman Chris Butler's left skate and through Elliott's pads 2:00 into the first period for a 1-0 lead. 

After Steen tied the game to extend his point streak to a career-best six games (four goals, eight assists) at 6:21, Skinner scored on a wrist shot from the slot at 7:43, and Staal's breakaway gave Carolina a 3-1 lead at 12:42 after Shattenkirk fell trying to get back into coverage. Elliott was replaced by Allen. 

(St. Louis Blues photo)

Goalies Jake Allen (left) and Brian Elliott cross paths in the first period

after Elliott was pulled after allowing three goals on 10 shots Saturday.

"It's a combination," Hitchcock said. "It was anything I could do to try to change momentum. I switched (Paul) Stastny and (Jori) Lehtera and that seemed to work. Just anything we could do to change momentum."

It worked.

"That’s your job, you have to be ready when called upon," Allen said. "It’s not always the prettiest way to go in, but that’s your job as a backup, to be ready. I don’t think there’s any blame to put on Brian on those first three goals. We started out a little slow."

And ended strong.

"It's not always going to be pretty," Pietrangelo said. "We play 82 games. It's not always going to be easy to win. We've had some wins this year at points where it's not pretty, but we find ways to do it and come the end of the season, those are the points that are really going to matter."

Shattenkirk, Tarasenko chosen for All-Star Game

Blues duo having career years, each to make first appearance at event

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- To no surprise, the Blues will have a pair of representatives at the 2015 Honda NHL All-Star Game in Columbus.

The league announced the rest of the all-star lineup Saturday afternoon, and Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko and defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk were among those chosen for the All-Star weekend on Jan. 24-25. The game will be on Jan. 25 at 4 p.m. at Nationwide Arena.

Shattenkirk, 25, came into Saturday tied with Calgary defenseman Mark Giordano for most points (36) among defensemen with seven goals and 29 assists as well as a plus-18 rating. Shattenkirk is No. 1 in the NHL with 23 power play points (four goals, 19 assists).

"It's definitely a goal of mine to achieve that," Shattenkirk said this morning. "The Olympics, that's something that's once every four years you're trying hard for and it's a completely different honor in itself. But the All-Star Game is something that you grew up watching as a kid and seeing how much fun these guys had when they went there and really how much pride they took in being named and going."

It will be the first all-star appearance for Shattenkirk, who is the first Blues defenseman chosen since Chris Pronger in 2004. He was part of the SuperSkills Competition in 2011.

Shattenkirk is averaging a career-best 23 minutes, 4 seconds this season, which is second on the team behind Alex Pietrangelo (25:13).

"I think the maturity factor is obviously what led me to finally wake up and make the changes I need to change," Shattenkirk said. "Getting a little push from Army (general manager Doug Armstrong) and Hitch (coach Ken Hitchcock) after the season last year to see if I can reach another level in my game. The training this summer and the diet is really what elevated me and I feel energized every game and last year there were ups and downs and it seems like there are less of those this year, which makes it easier to play."

Tarasenko, 23, is also appearing in the first All-Star Game of his career. He's first on the Blues in goals (22) and points (43) in 41 games. He's tied for fourth in the NHL in plus-minus at plus-21.

Tarasenko is the first Blue since Brett Hull (1996-97) to record two hat tricks on one season. He did it Oct. 28 at Dallas and Dec. 16 against Los Angeles.

(1-10-15) Hurricanes-Blues Gameday Lineup

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- Now that the Blues are healthy, decisions need to be made regarding which 20 will dress on a nightly basis.

With a number of NHL-ready players at coach Ken Hitchcock's disposal. 

Joakim Lindstrom continues to wait in the wings to jump back into the foray among forwards.

And on the blue line, Kirkwood native Chris Butler has not only grabbed the sixth spot on defense, he's pushing those above him for more ice time.

"We're a group of seven, but quite frankly, not just because Ian Cole isn't dressing tonight, he's jumped up and taking advantage of the situation in the group of six," Hitchcock said of Butler. "If you're looking at minutes played, he's not just challenging to stay in the lineup, he's challenging for more ice time when he's in the lineup. He's taken this responsibility and this opportunity and he's really taken advantage of it. He's really pushing other people, not just Ian. He's pushing other people for more of their ice time, too, which is really good. The competition within your team makes you very, very healthy and he's taken this challenge head-on right now, which is a very good sign."

Butler, 28, has two goals and two assists in 19 games, and that may not look like much, but he's providing ample options whoever he plays with. And in these recent strong of games, it's been veteran Barret Jackman.

But coming from a system with the Calgary Flames, that was more using the boards to get pucks out of danger and the defensive zone to a more structured system that stresses puck possession and making direct plays, Butler has started to really thrive.

"It's been a great opportunity," said Butler, who's played 17 or more minutes in seven of the past 10 games he's played in. "There was an adjustment period to start, just the style of game, the way guys played. Then you start getting more comfortable with your D-partner for that night and then the forwards and you start to understand where they like to go. I think as it's gone on, you just got more and more comfortable and helped my game.

"It's a different style of play. You can kind of get stuck in a rut playing an old way obviously. The game itself doesn't change, but your routes, your positioning, things like that."

"The biggest difference would probably be they just want you to hang onto pucks more," Butler added. "We're told to make plays there. We got into a rut last year with kind of beating the puck around the wall. As a result, you spend a lot of time in your own zone and playing a lot of D-zone coverage. Here, it's all puck support, being a good partner, getting open for each other and then communicating. Those are things you always try to do as a player, but maybe they kind of slip when you get away from that style."

Hitchcock is finding the flow of the game much more smooth for the left-handed Butler, who's playing the right side with Jackman.

"Making direct plays, having the trust and patience to make direct plays. He came from a team that plays a very good, strong territorial game," Hitchcock said of Butler. "We challenge our defense to make small plays. Sometimes in critical situations in close quarters, it's hard to have that composure. You want to get it away from the area. He was guilty of over-thinking. It's a big change coming from a different philosophy and it took him time to adjust. But he's more than made up for time now.

"The situations under pressure are easier for him. He's finding a second option on the ice better than he ever has, whereas before it was first option-take it, move it from the territory that you're in and then change the battle. We don't want to play like that. We want to challenge our guys to make direct plays. It's a big change and he's been really able to adapt."

- - -

The Blues (25-13-3) will host the Carolina Hurricanes (13-24-4) at 7 p.m. today (FS-MW, KMOX 1120-AM), and on paper, the Blues have a decided edge in points (53-30). But after seeing the Hurricanes play the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, Hitchcock is making his players aware of who these Hurricanes are and not the ones that labored through the couple months or so decimated with injuries.

"Well, which team, the one that was banged up or the one that's on the ice now," Hitchcock said when asked about Carolina. "The one now's a good team. There's implementation of 90 percent Detroit here, which (Hurricanes coach Bill Peters) was with them a long time. You can see all the principles that the Red Wings have sitting there in Carolina. Very difficult when top players are out to manage the game, manage minutes, stay afloat. The team that's played the last couple games, especially the game that they played in Nashville's very impressive. I'm sure Bill would have liked to have this lineup from Day One. It's unfortunate, but this is a lineup you can win with and I think he knows that."

Carolina center Jordan Staal, who has played in five games (broken right leg), said things are headed in a positive way.

"It's been difficult," Staal said. "Every team goes through it at times. We're not the only ones. But it's nice to have the team back for the most part, fully healthy and feeling good. As of late, we've played some pretty good hockey. We've done a lot of good things. I think we're starting to head in the right direction with the way we want to play."

Peters, in his first season, is finally getting a chance to see a full lineup.

"It's made a big difference," Peters said. "Getting Jordan back in has allowed us to do some different things obviously. We have Jordan and Eric (Staal) playing together, and that's a real good line. Whether it's (Elias) Lindholm or (Jiri) Tlusty, whoever's on the right side, but it's freed Eric up to be more of a power forward. He's responded offensively. 

"We've got so much work to do. We've got a lot of room for improvement, and we know that. It's all about us and how we play. We obviously know what the other team's going to do. We have to get out team game in order at a high level and have it at a high level consistently. We haven't done that we well as we would have liked. We've just got to focus on our own game right now."

The Edmonton Oilers are coming into town for a game Tuesday, and the way the Oilers handled the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday and with the way the Hurricanes are playing, the Blues can't afford to take anyone lightly.

"For us, the biggest challenge is we play best when we play with a little bit of an edge," Hitchcock said. "How you're going to create an edge when you don't really know the opposition. If we don't create the edge, they're going to skate circles around us. They're built the same way Detroit is. They've got a similar type of philosophy with the puck, they've got a similar philosophy in the style of play. We don't want to get caught standing and watching. We're going to have to find an edge sooner or later here."

- - -

Blues assistant coach Kirk Muller will face the Hurricanes for the first time since being fired as their coach on May 7. Muller was 80-80-27 in three seasons as Carolina coach (2011-14).

Hitchcock will be in search of his 150th victory behind the Blues' bench tonight.

The Blues will take the NHL's No. 1 power play (26.4 percent) into the game against the fifth-ranked penalty kill with the Hurricanes (86.6 percent).  The Blues are 8-for-17 on the power play the past four games, converting in each game, which ties a season-high.

The Blues' penalty kill has not allowed a goal in three straight games and has killed 18 of the past 19 attempts. 


- - -

The Blues' probable lineup:

Alexander Steen-David Backes-T.J. Oshie

Jaden Schwartz-Jori Lehtera-Vladimir Tarasenko

Dmitrij Jaskin-Paul Stastny-Patrik Berglund

Steve Ott-Maxim Lapierre-Ryan Reaves

Jay Bouwmeester-Alex Pietrangelo

Carl Gunnarsson-Kevin Shattenkirk

Barret Jackman-Chris Butler

Brian Elliott will start in goal. Jake Allen will be the backup.

Healthy scratches include Martin Brodeur, Joakim Lindstrom and Ian Cole. Chris Porter (ankle) is on injured reserve.

- - -

The Hurricanes' probable lineup:

Eric Staal-Jordan Staal-Elias Lindholm

Nathan Gerbe-Victor Rask-Jiri Tlusty

Jeff Skinner-Riley Nash-Alexander Semin

Brad Malone-Jay McClement-Patrick Dwyer

Andrej Sekera-Justin Faulk

Ron Hainsey-Brett Bellemore 

Tim Gleason-Ryan Murphy

Cam Ward will start in goal. Anton Khudobin will be the backup.

Healthy scratches include John-Michael Liles and Andrej Nestrasil. The Hurricanes report no injuries.

(1-10-15) BLUES NOTEBOOK

Team hopeful of all-stars; power play, penalty kill 

working in unison; Elliott to play Saturday, Butler to stay in

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- Ken Hitchcock readily admits that he's a teacher when it comes to the NHL and the players that represent it. 

But for the Blues' veteran head coach, it's natural to be a fan on Saturday when the NHL announces the remainder of the lineup for the All-Star Game, which will be played on Jan. 25.

And with right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (22 goals, 21 assists) leading the Blues with 43 points in 41 games, and defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk leading the league among defensemen with 36 points (seven goals, 29 assists), they are the logical choices for selection. 

"To be honest with you, I've learned that ... first of all, it's a great event, but selfishly, we've had a number of players who have had all-star years," Hitchcock said. "I know the way it works. You've got 30 teams; everybody's got to be representatives. There's always people that are legitimately disappointed. That's the only thing that bothers me. There's always players that richly deserve to go who don't get a chance because we're representing all the teams. I'm hopeful the guys I think deserve to go get a chance."

No Blues were voted in by fan selection. Those distinctions went to five Chicago Blackhawks (Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Corey Crawford, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook) and Buffalo Sabres' Zemgus Girgensons.

But for Shattenkirk, it's only natural to want to hear his name called on Saturday. The situation is similar to a year ago when the United States announced its player selections for the Sochi Olympics.

"Kind of the similarities to last year at this time worrying about the Olympics," Shattenkirk said Friday. "The Olympics, that's obviously a much higher level a similar feeling and sitting around and waiting. Really just wanting the decision to be over with whether it's good or bad."

If it isn't called, he's pulling for Tarasenko, at least.

"He's someone who I've talked to about it," Shattenkirk said. "I don't see how he won't be there. Not only given his success but given some of the highlight reel plays that he's made this year. He's an exciting player. The whole thing is a weekend to showcase the talent in the league and show the fans a lighter side of the game and a fun side of the game. He's someone who we all know being around him really enjoys hockey and has fun with it. I think it would be a perfect weekend for him."

Right wing T.J. Oshie, who is on a career-best seven-game point streak with 13 (six goals, seven assists), has a broader view.

"Without a doubt, you can pick anyone on the (Jori) Lehtera line, but I'm sure you're going to go with 'Vova'" Oshie said, also including Jaden Schwartz. "The caliber of play when he has the puck is like nothing I've ever played with. And Shatty, his game's come so far. He's so mature, he's an offensive weapon back there on the blue line. ... And you can throw Lehtera in there with all the stuff that he's done."

* NHL's top power play -- After going 2-for-4 in a 7-2 win against San Jose on Thursday, the Blues continue to lead the NHL with a 26.4 percent efficiency rating with the man advantage.

Multiple reasons play into account as to why the Blues, who have scored seven times during a three-game winning streak with the man advantage, are rolling on special teams, including the penalty kill. They just feel teams continue to guess what is coming.

"I think due to our success, it's made teams to think a little more," Shattenkirk said. "That's maybe put them on their heels a bit. That's something that we've been able to take advantage of. 

"We've had two units that can really go out there and score at any time. It's a matter of ... really, we go out there to get momentum for the team. We want to score, but at the very least, you want to get momentum for the team and don't create kind of bad habits and things that sink into your game by having a sloppy power play."

Assistant coach Kirk Muller, whose primary focus is to work with the team's power play unit, has preached consistent puck movement and cohesiveness even when there was a dry spell.

"There's a lot of people that work together on it," Hitchcock said. "He's responsible for the tactical part of it, but all the coaches work on it. 

"I think the biggest adjustment we've made, a collective adjustment to adapt to what the other team's doing rather than ram our power play into a hole. I think we move it around and use more options than we've used in the past. Our power play was really good last year. We were top four or five in the league last year and we've adapted more. The big change for me is we've become more dimensional in the movement of players into different positions. We've adapted."

"'Muls' is doing a really good of keeping a structure and keeping a game plan," Oshie said. "Even in meetings, he tells is to make the plays. He's got me and 'Stas' working together as a pair because me and 'Stas' find each other pretty well. Obviously on the other unit, those three guys, they all find everyone really well. He's got guys going together that play really well together and really play to our strengths."

The Blues, who last week were 23rd in the league in penalty kill efficiency, have jumped up to 18th with a recent stretch of killing 18 of 19. Combined with the fact that the Blues have taken fewer penalties, including two kills against the Sharks on Thursday, is contributing not only defensively, but it's keeping players fresh for the power play.

"It's easy to increase your penalty kill percentage when you're only killing two penalties a game," Shattenkirk said. "If you're going to let good teams put their best players on the ice for 12, 14, 16 minutes a game, it's just going to feed their engine. The goals may not come on the power play, but we use a lot of guys on the penalty kill that we use on the power play for our big situations to cut down skilled players. Penalty kill's hard work. It tires guys out. You see how that affects you in the third period when we were losing some of those big games.

"Without a doubt. It fees up guys and really allows them to get on the power play, feel the offensive side of things, get going offensively not worrying about rushing around blocking shots on the penalty kill. Personally I can tell you that I love being on the power play more than the penalty kill. I think anyone will tell you that."

"I think the biggest thing is we've not had a stale period where one or both units have gone quiet," Hitchcock said. "It seems that one unit's going, the other one's not. It's almost comical looking at one unit goes cold, the other unit goes hot. There hasn't been a 10-game segment where there's been balance. It's been one group going, and the other one not all the time. We've been lucky there. That's the one part that's worked for us. It's either hot or cold."

Right now, both are working in unison.

"It's kind of like our 5-on-5 play. It's not just one thing," Oshie said of the power play. "It's everything going together. Puck possession, guys working hard away from the puck, chemistry goes a long way in power plays and all that stuff's clicking for us right now.

"I don't know what the statistics are, but I'd say the majority of the penalties are because people aren't moving their feet and when you're not moving your feet, it's usually because you're tired. Good changes just goes along with our 4-on-4 play. When we don't change well, a couple of the guys aren't able to go out there and that takes away from our team strengths."

* No changes -- When the Blues (25-13-3) host the Carolina Hurricanes (13-24-4) on Saturday at 7 p.m. (FS-MW, KMOX 1120-AM), there will be no changes made to the lineup.

Hard to tinker with a lineup that has outscored opponents 20-4 the past three games and looks to be hitting its stride.

That lineup will include goalie Brian Elliott, who registered 24 saves in winning his third straight game. He will be making his fourth straight start and fifth since coming back from a right knee sprain Dec. 30.

"There's such spacing. All I'm focused on is Saturday night and then it's re-evaluation time," Hitchcock said. "There's two days off between games, not one. Brian hasn't played very much and we need him to get up to speed. There were some times yesterday where having not played showed up in some of his mannerisms in the net and we need him to become smoother for us, so we've got a real gap between games, lots of rest at home. We'll take advantage of it. Re-evaluate when we're going to get the other guys in."

Chris Butler will remain in as the sixth defenseman, which means Ian Cole will have to wait his turn again.

"He's played really well the last two or three games, so we're going to keep going with him," Hitchcock said of Butler. "That's just the competition within the team. When Ian gets his chance, he's going to play and play well I'm sure. We're not six and one, we're a group of seven. Even with (Petteri) Lindbohm getting some action, we're almost a group of eight. We're staying with these guys right now. Probably as soon as it's Ian's turn, I'm sure he's going to jump all over and take advantage of it. This is the most he's played in his career. I'm sure he wants to play every night, but competition within the team is what it is, so when it's his turn, I'm sure he's going to take advantage of it."

Blues pour it on Sharks again with 7-2 victory

Seven players had two points or more in third 

straight win in which they've outscored opponents 20-4 

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- Confidence is a funny thing.

When the Blues were in the middle of a 1-5-1 rut, confidence wavered in multiple directions

And most of it was in the direction of hesitancy, which is not good when hockey plays need to be made in a split second.

But after the Blues' 7-2 thrashing of the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night at Scottrade Center -- their second win against the Sharks by identical scores in six days -- the Blues' confidence has never been higher.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

Jori Lehtera (12) moves the puck away from the Sharks' Logan 

Couture during Thursday's 7-2 Blues victory at Scottrade Center.

As coach Ken Hitchcock would say, the team is "playing the right way." The Blues are rolling four lines, mistakes are being minimized, plays are being made without hesitation and the goaltending has stabilized. But most importantly, the Blues (25-13-3) are healthy.

"The first 12 minutes was just a continuation of the way we played on the road pretty much. We were dialed in," Hitchcock said. "We actually looked the same. There was good energy, good focus, really unselfish hockey. Unselfish hockey for me is what's really evident right now. A lot of things we're doing, the team play aside, when you're unselfish, you come off the ice at the right time, you change at the right time, you leave your teammate in a good spot, you're going to have success. To me, the goals are a result of the way we're playing. We're playing the right way and it's having a big impact on keeping the group together.

"... You can either stay unselfish and have success, or you can go the other way, and we're at that area right now where we hope that we remain unselfish. We need to be really unselfish until the end of the (All-Star) break here. That's going to require real strong performances by our leaders the right way. I've said this before, we play the right way because we've got people to follow. If we lose the people that we need to follow, we're going to be stumbling around like a lot of other teams are. We've got a really good situation going right now. The right people have followed; we just can't let go of it."

The Blues haven't let go of anything in their way here in wins against the Sharks twice and the Arizona Coyotes. 

"We’re making positive steps, it seems like each night, and it starts with getting pucks deep," said right wing T.J. Oshie, who had a goal and an assist to extend his point streak to seven games (six goals, seven assists). "Now we’ve really got everyone playing really good hockey. We’ve got our D skating for the forwards, our forwards getting back and tracking for the D. Everything’s kind of coming together. Now we just have to keep our heads level and stick with it.

"... We’re really helping each other out. Even with some mistakes, with our positioning, our tracking, we’re covering over for each other and that’s limiting the other team’s grade-A scoring chances. The other stuff, for the most part, our goalies are cleaning up for us as well."

The Blues, who got a goal and an assist each from Oshie, David Backes, Alexander Steen, Jori Lehtera and Paul Stastny, also got three assists from Jaden Schwartz and two from Vladimir Tarasenko.

Offensively, three lines are contributing at the same time, which is something Hitchcock has been searching for since the start of the season, and it's given the Blues potency that hasn't been seen around here in quite some time.

"You look at the Stastny group (with Dmitrij Jaskin and Patrik Berglund), they've been going very hot lately," said Hitchcock, whose team has outscored their opponents 20-4 the past three games. "The first 10 games, it was Lehtera. You look at the third packet, it was Lehtera's group. We've never had both groups going, but there's always been one group that's been really focused, energized and carrying us. I find that really unique. The trade-off between one group that's struggling and the other group that seems to be picking it up. That's what to me has kept us at a high level."

And how about Backes, Steen and Oshie? Six more points between them tonight give them 35 in the past seven games. Steen has 12 points in seven games and Backes has 10 in seven.

"My linemates are playing pretty good right now," Oshie said. "So that makes it a lot easier. Steener and Backs and myself, we’re all taking pride in playing the same way and playing a very north direct game. When we first got back together (Dec. 27) we were putting pucks into areas that we want to on the team and now we’re starting to get that chemistry back to where we’re putting pucks in areas where we know where each other are going to be and that’s extending our zone time, that’s extending our puck possession time and that’s where most of our offense is coming from."

Steen, Jay Bouwmeester and Stastny scored first-period goals sandwiched around a Logan Couture shorthanded goal, and even after San Jose (22-15-5) scored 29 seconds into the second on a Melker Karlsson goal, Lehtera and Oshie responded and chased Antti Niemi from the Sharks goal for the second time in as many games against the Blues.

Niemi allowed five goals on 21 shots and gave up 11 goals on 48 shots in the two games against the Blues.

Berglund and Backes added third-period goals against backup Alex Stalock.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

The Blues' (from left to right) Kevin Shattenkirk, Alexander Steen, David 

Backes and T.J. Oshie have been celebrating a lot of goals lately. Here,

they celebrate a goal during a 7-2 win against San Jose on Thursday. 

"We haven't let the other team up off the mat; we've kept the pressure up," Hitchcock said. "We've got four lines right now that can really play."

No kidding.

"We've had leads and teams have had to take chances on us," said Stastny, who has 10 points in seven games. "... Hitch has kind of spread out the forwards more than he has probably early in the season and it's paying off.

"It was a tough stretch for a little bit. Guys weren't having too much fun and maybe some guys felt there was too much pressure, but sometimes you've just got to loosen up a little bit. I think Christmas break did that for us."

(1-8-15) Sharks-Blues Gameday Lineup

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- Todd McLellan is paying attention.

The San Jose Sharks coach saw it firsthand this past Saturday when the Blues (24-13-3) blitzed his team 7-2 and the combination of David Backes, Alexander Steen and T.J. Oshie (who had a hat trick in the game), combined for eight points.

The line is red-hot these days and has produced 29 points in the past six games and will hope to continue their torrid pace when they host the Sharks (22-14-5) at 7 p.m. (FS-MW and KMOX 1120-AM).

Backes is coming off the second four-goal game of his career Tuesday in a 6-0 win against the Arizona Coyotes and he has five goals and eight points in six games since the line was put back together. Oshie, who scored the second career hat trick in the Blues' win at San Jose last week, has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in six games and Steen has 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in six games.

"They're a perfect example of playing the way they need to play to have success," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "They're on the page defensively, they're on the page offensively, they're on the page on puck support. They're on the page on chemistry. They look quick because they're managing the game the right way. They are effective and a perfect example of what good players can do when everybody's on the same page on every shift. That's why they're having success."

It started against the Dallas Stars on Dec. 27, and the production hasn't wavered since.

"I think it was just that very first period that Hitch put us back together," Oshie said. "We had a great period ... I actually wasn't that good. They were good that period, but still, that game, I don't remember what game it was, but it just seemed like everything was more crisp, everything was quicker. We didn't have one guy always doing all the work. It's fun playing with guys that work for each other.

"It's all three of us playing the exact same way in our own styles of play. All three of us are getting the pucks deep, all three of us are working for each other. One shift, one guy's going to the first guy to go in there and get a hit, the next shift, the next guy; next shift ... it's kind of all three of us working together and it's making it a lot easier on us. I think before, one night I'd try doing everything or 'Backs' tries to do everything. Now we're just trusting each other that the other's going to do the job and we save so much energy."

The trio has accumulated numbers worthy of a top line. Steen leads the way with 31 points in 38 games, and Backes and Oshie each have  23 points. Backes has played 39 games; Oshie in 32.

"I think it's a realization that we needed to get back to how we had success," Backes said. "Get pucks deep, going after it and getting three guys go in there winning to work."

- - -

When the Blues, who have won two in a row and outscored their opponents 13-2, talked about being balanced at the beginning of the season with three scoring lines, it took some time to adjust.

But now that they have the Backes line rolling, and Jaden Schwartz back from a broken foot to complement the 'STL Line' again with Jori Lehtera and Vladimir Tarasenko, the Blues may have found something with Paul Stastny.

Finally.

Playing with Dmitrij Jaskin and Patrik Berglund seems to have given the unit a boost, and they're providing positive results at both ends of the ice.

"I just really think we complement each other," said Berglund, who had two assists in Arizona. "We play a very simple game. That's how we create our offense. We have two really big bodies on that line and we forecheck well. We get pucks back. We want to get the puck to the net as soon as possible. We've been having great chemistry and hopefully we can keep going and help out."

Jaskin has six points (three goals, three assists) since being recalled nine games ago.

"He's been getting some goals and points," Berglund said of Jaskin. "Obviously that  helps out his confidence. He's been great. Also, he's got a big body. When he came up this time, he's been much better on protecting the puck, keeping the puck in the o-zone and create offense that way. He's been taking a big step that's for sure."

And Stastny, who battled through a shoulder injury that sidelined him eight games, has one goal and eight points in the past six games.

"They're really talking a lot," Hitchcock said. "They're communicating a lot. Paul's really grabbed the two guys and they've really worked together, hard. I think they're on the same page. They're big bodies, strong players. They're on the same page as far as how they're going to create their offensive numbers. If you look at all their scoring chances, it's like six inches from the net where they get all their chances from. Paul's goal (against the Coyotes) is a perfect example of three guys working hard together. That's the page they're on. They're really helping each other stay on that page."

- - -

Going into Thursday games, the Blues have vaulted themselves to the top of the NHL in power play efficiency at 25.7 percent.

They're 6-for-14 the past three games and 5-for-9 in the two wins.

"I think we're shooting the puck a lot more, we're moving," Oshie said. "We've got everyone moving. We're not as static as we were before. We've got everyone going to the net at the same time. As always, you've got big (No.) 42 in front of the net, that always helps taking the goalie's eyes out of the way."

"We've been great all year, but the reason we have been is we've just stuck with the game plan," defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk said. "We haven't tried to dress it up much. I think teams are seeing that at the beginning of the year, we had success shooting pucks and when they go to take that away, some of those plays, some of those seam plays and everything open up. We have so many threats out there at all times, it's a hard time for groups to cover. We've kept it for the most part pretty simple and we take what's given to us.

"The thing we've struggled with in the past is the teams that have pressured us. We've done a good job at figuring out how to deal with that. moving pucks quickly and not allowing them to set up that pressure. That's what's really made us successful. We've really been quick and very deliberate."

When the Blues have trouble, they tend to be met with fierce force from the opposition at the blue line, making zone entries tough. That hasn't been the case recently, and the offensive zone faceoff percentage helps in that regard.

"The entries are key," Shattenkirk said. "The faceoffs for us are huge. We do so well on power play faceoffs that we don't really allow teams to ice the puck and set up their forecheck. We shoot pucks right off the faceoff to get our scoring opportunities. Really everything's clocking right now. There's going to be times when it's not and it's a matter of remembering the recipe that works for us."

- - -

It's no coincidence that when Schwartz plays, the Blues have success.

They went 1-5-1 without Schwartz in the lineup but have won eight in a row with him in the lineup and have outscored the opposition 37-15 in that stretch.

"No one likes sitting out," Schwartz said. "It (stinks), especially when the team's on the road and you've just got to watch the games and especially when the team's losing with how tight the standings are. The team was playing some good hockey, no question. We just couldn't find ways to seal games out. It's frustrating watching, but definitely made me more anxious to get back."

This is the second time Schwartz has sustained a similar injury, and one he knew when to push and when not to push the buttons.

"I wanted to come in and obviously help and do my part and contribute for the team," Schwartz said. "When we were losing games there, we were playing well. For some reason, we couldn't put 60 minutes together. Teams kind of scored two, three goals right in a row and kind of caught us off guard or kind of swung momentum their way. The team wasn't playing awful. I didn't have to come in and change too much. It was really only a matter of time before we started putting some wins together."

"We had that tough stretch when Ells (Brian Elliott) went down and Schwartzy went out, we went through a tough stretch," Hitchcock said. "We still maintained, we kept our head above water, but our play in some cases is a lot better, especially on the power play,  creating offense. I think we're like anybody else. I'd like us to be faster defensively. We're still a little bit slow defensively with our reaction, our anticipation and our cutting off plays is still a little bit slow. That's the one element I'd like to see us get better at, is be able to play way faster defensively if we can."

- - -

When the Blues drop the puck tonight, Joakim Lindstrom will be in a familiar spot in recent games: the press box.

Lindstrom, who has six points (three goals, three assists) in 28 games, played in 17 of the first 18 games this season. But tonight will mark the eighth time in 11 games Lindstrom will be as healthy scratch.

But instead of pouting or sulking, Lindstrom is doing all he can to get back to the lineup, and the coaching staff is noticing.

"It's going to be tough. When he goes in, I know one thing, if he goes in, the way he's going at it now, I don't think he's going to come out," Hitchcock said. "I think he's got a second wind now. I think this first go was tough for him now because it was a lot new. But we see things in practice that are pretty impressive. We've won a couple games. If someone happens to blink here, I think he's going to really take advantage of it. He seems to really have risen his level and I think we have a new appreciation having worked with him, how smart he is defensively. I think he's going to take advantage of the next situation because he's got his wind back again."

Lindstrom, who signed a one-year, $700,000 contract as a free agent this past summer to return to the NHL after a stint in Sweden playing for Skelleftea, is pushing those in the lineup to stay on their toes.

"Definitely. That's my mindset coming in here," Lindstrom said. "A positive, confident attitude. Just work as hard as I can.

"I'm no different than anyone else. I want to play just as bad as everyone else, but I realize I'm part of the team and we won the last couple games here and played well. I understand that part too."

Lindstrom, much like Lehtera, has had to adjust to the differences of not only playing in the NHL but the travel, how compacted the games are and everything else that goes with being here.

"I think it's very hard for players who haven't played in this NHL environment to get used to proximity of games, travel, back-to-backs," Hitchcock said. "I've said this before, neither one of these players (Lindstrom and Lehtera) have played back-to-back games for six, seven, eight years. It's been a real adjustment. Playing three in four nights, you never hear that. They don't base games on weekends or anything like that. They base them between two or three gaps between every game. For me, he had a difficult adjustment. Things were coming up fast. New rink, new buildings, smaller ice surface, lots of travel, lots of hockey. So to me now, he looks a lot like Lehtera. He's got a second wind now."

Lindstrom agreed.

"I feel good in practice," he said. "I work extremely hard. I'll be ready physically and mentally for whenever it's my turn or whatever happens. I don't get down on myself or become a 'Debbie Downer.' It is what it is. It's professional sports. I'm a pro.

"We have an ongoing conversation or dialogue with one another. I think we're on the same page. We talk to each other each and every day. We have an awesome group of guys here. That definitely helps. " 

- - -

The Blues' probable lineup:

Alexander Steen-David Backes-T.J. Oshie

Jaden Schwartz-Jori Lehtera-Vladimir Tarasenko

Dmitrij Jaskin-Paul Stastny-Patrik Berglund

Steve Ott-Maxim Lapierre-Ryan Reaves

Jay Bouwmeester-Alex Pietrangelo

Carl Gunnarsson-Kevin Shattenkirk

Barret Jackman-Chris Butler

Brian Elliott will start in goal. Jake Allen will be the backup.

Healthy scratches include Martin Brodeur, Joakim Lindstrom and Ian Cole.

- - -

The Sharks' probable lineup:

Barclay Goodrow-Patrick Marleau-Tommy Wingels

Melker Karlsson-Logan Couture-Joe Pavelski

Tomas Hertl-James Sheppard-Matt Nieto

John Scott-Andrew Desjardins-Freddie Hamilton

Marc-Edouard Vlasic-Brent Burns

Brenden Dillon-Justin Braun

Matt Irwin-Matt Tennyson

Antti Niemi will get the start in goal. Alex Stalock will be the backup.

Healthy scratches include Scott Hannan and Tye McGinn. Joe Thornton (upper body), Tyler Kennedy (shoulder), Raffi Torres (knee) and Mike Brown (lower body) are out with injuries.

(1-2-15) BLUES NOTEBOOK

Stastny gets turn with Lehtera/Tarasenko; Schwartz, 

Gunnarsson nearing return; Fraser, McCarthy recalled

By LOU KORAC
HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- When Ken Hitchcock comes into a new day and line combinations tend to have a different look to them, more times than not, the proverbial line when asked about them are, "I wouldn't read too much into that."

Well on Thursday, the first day of 2015, even the veteran Blues coach sang a bit of a different tune when asked about the lines, specifically Paul Stastny centering Jori Lehtera and Vladimir Tarasenko at the St. Louis Outlet Mall prior to departing for a three-game west coast swing that begins Friday against the Anaheim Ducks.

"You can read into a few of them, especially the (David) Backes line stays the same," Hitchcock said of Backes, Alexander Steen and T.J. Oshie.

And the Stastny line?

"We're looking at that," Hitchcock said. "This is the first time we've ever played them together and it looked good today. We're probably a few days away from Jaden (Schwartz) joining us on a full-time basis, so might give it an opportunity for a game or two for us to look at that. It gives us a very big third line. We're certainly intrigued by what we saw. We need more endurance from (Dmitrij) Jaskin and (Ryan) Reaves together. We'll look at how we play that. We have some flexibility."

For Stastny, the Blues' biggest free agent signing of the season, points have not come in the form that Blues fans quite expected thus far.

But in Stastny's defense, he started strong, then had a setback when he sat out eight games with a shoulder injury and had to try and find his game again. When that didn't happen immediately, he was shuffled from line to line and picking up new linemates along the way as the Blues continue to search for the right fit.

With Schwartz out the past six games, Lehtera and Tarasenko have been using a different linemate for what seems like each game and getting the play-making Stastny there beginning Friday could be a temporary buffer until Schwartz's return.

"Another new line for me," Stastny, who has seven goals and 16 points in 29 games, joked. "I've played with a lot of different guys. When I play with those guys, when we're at practice and when we've had different shifts out there, it's easy because they play that same kind of give and go game that I like to play. They play a fast game, but if there's nothing, they kind of switch lanes just to create time and space, so it's nice to have that.

"I've thought a lot of things. That's how it is sometimes. You try different things. Sometimes things are working and you've just got to leave that. When things aren't going well, you tend to kind of switch things up. At the end of the year, we're going to find the best combinations we can and find the best solution for the team to be clocking and where we want to be when the end of the season comes."

Hitchcock has moved players from center to wing and vice versa before, so trying Lehtera at left wing isn't out of the ordinary, especially since the Finnish-born forward has experience there. And trying Stastny at center is something that's crossed the coaching staff's mind.

"We've thought about it kind of on the road more because we don't have the matchup," Hitchcock said. "Since Jaden has gone down, the line hasn't been as controlling as it was before. We need to give it some support, some help. We know Lehtera has played a lot of left wing, so he's capable of playing over there. We wanted to practice it and look at it right now."

Stastny said that persistent changing has been an adjustment.

"It's different, but what are you going to do," he said. "You can't get too frustrated about it. You focus about what you can control. Things that are out of your control, you take those negative thoughts out of there and just kind of focus on yourself, try to help your team out and try to help your linemates out and who you're playing with."

These were the practice lines:

Alexander Steen-David Backes-T.J. Oshie

Jori Lehtera-Paul Stastny-Vladimir Tarasenko

Dmitrij Jaskin-Patrik Berglund-Ryan Reaves

Steve Ott-Maxim Lapierre-Joakim Lindstrom

Extras: Jaden Schwartz-Colin Fraser-John McCarthy

* Schwartz, Gunnarsson nearing return -- Schwartz took part in the practice Thursday, first skating and taking shots on goalies for the first time with teammates since sustaining a broken foot Dec. 16 while blocking a shot by the Los Angeles Kings' Drew Doughty.

Schwartz, who is third on the team with 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 31 games, then practiced in full for roughly 30 minutes before departing the ice.

"It was really good," Hitchcock said of Schwartz's practice. "He went an hour. He went out early with the goalies and just shot pucks and skated, felt good. Then he stayed for the first 20-something minutes of practice, did fine on that stuff. We'll see. If he feels good getting off the plane and has a good skate tomorrow, then he goes into that day-to-day mode. We're hoping he's really turned the corner and he's getting closer to getting ready to play.

"He's just moved from week-to-week to day-to-day now. It could be one day, two days, three days, five days, who knows. But he's literally day-to-day now."

As for Gunnarsson, who hasn't played since sustaining a concussion on Dec. 6 (10 games) against the New York Islanders, he was a full participant in practice and is on the verge of rejoining the lineup.

"This was what, the second practice now? Third maybe," Gunnarsson said. "Yeah, feels a little bit better. ...  I was trying to push it a little bit today. Step by step. We'll see how it is after a long flight here.

"... It's the first time (for a concussion). It's tough to deal with when you haven't been through it before. Even then, it's all different. ... I don't want to say what kind of symptoms I had, but it was probably ... I've heard about guys having worse than I did, but then it's a matter of getting rid of the symptoms and feeling good."

The Blues are carrying only six defensemen, which can be a little risky especially going on a trip. But they feel comfortable enough not to recall someone (Petteri Lindbohm) from the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League because they're confident enough to believe Gunnarsson is ready to rejoin any day now.

"He practiced full today, so this is three in a row," Hitchcock said of Gunnarsson, who has played in only 20 games this season. "We're going to talk to him today and see if he's ready to play. We'll see. He's had no complications, no setbacks at all and this is seven to eight days of no setbacks. He's acting and behaving just like a player now."

* Fraser, McCarthy recalled -- With Chris Porter (ankle/foot) out a minimum of 6-8 weeks, the Blues opted for players with NHL experience to get the recall from the Wolves to complete the active roster at 23 before heading to Anaheim.

That's why Colin Fraser and John McCarthy were recalled on Wednesday.

Fraser, 29, has dressed in 32 games for the Wolves this season and posted 12 points (seven goals, five assists). McCarthy, 28, has appeared in 22 games for the Wolves this season and has seven points (four goals, three assists)

Fraser is a three-time Stanley Cup champion (Kings twice and Chicago Blackhawks), while McCarthy has experience in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks.

"Everyone wants to play in the NHL," Fraser said. "It's good to have that opportunity again. The American League's been good. Just play my game, just try to play the same way. You stick with what got you in the NHL in the first place. Hopefully you can get back. Here I am, back for now, and just try to make something of it.

"Honestly, I don't really think about it. I just think it's just playing hockey. It sounds cliche, but ... is it in the back of your mind, yeah. You're always hopeful, but at the same time, you can't play and hope to get the call-up. You just play the best you can and hopefully you get rewarded. Hard work and playing the right way gets rewarded. Me and Johnny Mac are back here hopefully ready to prove ourselves again. We've both played enough games in the NHL to know what the league's about."

The Blues had received progress reports on players with the Wolves and both Fraser and McCarthy were at the top of the list.

"I just try to be dependable, play both ends of the ice and take care of my own end and then contribute offensively when I can. ... I had kind of a slow start. Recently, I kind of got my game going a little bit. It's nice to get a call-up. We'll see what happens.

"In San Jose, I was always up and down. I kind of know how it works now. It's a little less nerve-wracking now I guess."

Blues fans have wondered why someone like Ty Rattie didn't get the recall, or hasn't gotten a sniff to join the NHL yet. His time is coming, just not right now.

"When you lose energy players, this gives us a chance to look at these guys," Hitchcock said. "Whether they play or not, I don't know. But we need to look at these guys to see ... we brought Jaskin in, that's a different story. We brought (in) Jaskin, he's got to play. When the decision was made after watching 'Jask' to play him and put (Magnus) Paajarvi on waivers, that was a defined decision that Doug (Armstrong) made. But we also need to look at these guys. 

"Porter's out for 6-8 weeks, somewhere in there. We've got to look at these guys to see what we have. Whether we get three or four looks at practice and they got to go back or whether they get a game in, and then we (have to make a decision), we need to know what we have organizationally. That's why they were brought in. They were brought in as depth players for us, so we need to look at these guys right now.  We have the time, we have the space to look at them and see what we've got."

* Road woes -- Hitchcock reasoned recently that if a team can play .500 or better on the road with the degree of difficulty winning in another team's building, chances are that team will have success and find themselves in the playoffs.

The Blues are in that category at 9-8-2 away from Scottrade Center, but since winning three straight away from home to end November, they are 2-5-1 in their last eight.

"Too much variance in our game," Hitchcock said. "There's way too much variance. We play one way. We're built to play a certain way and not based on the opposition. We don't need to change based on the opposition. There are little adjustments you can make in game, but we're built to play a certain way and when we play that way, we're very effective. Now the opposition has something to do with that, and one of the problems that we've got into is we've decided at times to change the way we want to play when we don't need to. We just need to amp up the determination to continue to play our game. 

"Sometimes it's easy to play or feel like it's easy to play your game and sometimes it's harder, but it doesn't need to change. There's too much variance in our ability to keep our game in order. We've been built this way for four years since I was here, even before I got here, you could see it being built. We've had a first half of some really up and down variances in our game, so it's led to some real peaks and valleys in the actual game itself where we've looked awesome at times, and then we've looked really average at times."

In those eight games on the road in December, the Blues allowed 31 goals, or an alarming 3.88 goals per game.

"We have a way to play," Hitchcock said. "It's very successful, but sometimes we have a tendency to try and play around the competition rather than through the competition. That's where we get ourselves in all kinds of trouble. It's not just our best players, it's our team. You're right, your best players have to be your best players, but they also have to lead the charge in playing the right way. 

"We've had way, way too much variance in the way we play. We're not good at taking body blows. We're much better at (administering) body blows. That's our game. Our game is body blow, body blow, body blow, on our toes, on our toes, on our toes and then eventually the other team has a decision to make. Well, there's way too much absorbing going on for my liking -- way too much absorbing. I don't like that. I don't like it when we're a counter-punch team. We're not built that way. There's other teams that are built that way, but that's not us. We've got to get back to that level. We show flashes and look excellent, but the interesting part is that when we get on that counter-punch game, not only do we not score, we kind of lose our structure, too. So both ends are suffering. When we play on our toes and stay on our toes, we score, we defend well. We're built to defend in the offensive zone. That's where we're built to defend, and we're just too much counter-punch, too much in our own zone. It doesn't bode well."

* Goalie update -- Hitchcock said that Martin Brodeur, who earned the 125th shutout of his NHL career with a 16-save effort Monday against Colorado, will get the start in goal against the Ducks. 

Brodeur, 42, has not allowed a goal in the past 87:54 and will hope to help the Blues snap an eight-game losing streak at Honda Center dating back to Oct. 17, 2009.

The plan, according to Hitchcock, is for Brian Elliott, who has a 44-save performance in his first game back from a knee sprain sustained Nov. 25 against Ottawa, to play Saturday in San Jose against the Sharks.