(3-9-16) Blackhawks-Blues Gameday Lineup

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- It's not just another game when the Blues and Chicago Blackhawks drop the puck tonight at Scottrade Center.

Not a chance.

The Blues (38-20-9) are two points behind the second-place Blackhawks (41-21-5) and three behind the first-place Dallas Stars in the race for the Central Division crown.

A win by the injury-depleted Blues, who continue to defy the odds by placing themselves in what many would have considered a two-team race by teams that have stayed relatively healthy, puts them one point behind Dallas and into a tie with the Blackhawks.

Call it the typical four-point game, which is exactly what it is.

"We're trying to catch them; they're truing to put distance between us," said Blues right wing Troy Brouwer, who won a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010. "They're big points. If you can't get the wins against certain teams when you have the opportunities, it puts you behind, which means you've got to win two games now. For us, we're coming into this treating as if it's a big game, trying to get into first place, trying to catch them and make sure that we can put ourselves in a good position where we can try and capture the division.

"It's pretty chippy. There's been a lot of turnover in certain guys over the past couple years, but the core of both teams are still in tact. For that reason, the rivalry and that competitiveness has rubbed off on everybody else. Some of the games we've had have been tight games. There's not a whole lot of fighting, but there is a lot of animosity between the two teams. It makes for exciting games."

And if anyone feels it's JUST a game ... think again.

"I think we all know the answer to that," defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk said. "Even if we were the bottom two teams in the league, it wouldn't be another regular season game for us. They're a team that's been playing great all season. They're obviously at the top of our division right now, and they're a team we're chasing, so tomorrow really is a four-point game. It'll be a huge swing if we can get a regulation win, but obviously any sort of win against them will be big and in the chase that we have going on right now.

"It's been a tough year for us the way we've had guys go down, but I think for the last two or three years, we've talked about how deep this team is and now we're really starting to see it. That goes back two or three years why we're having so much success is because younger guys have been kind of getting ready for these moments and we've been grooming them for these moments. When you have big, key players go down, we're asking guys to step up and play bigger roles, but we're not asking them to score as many goals as Alex Steen; we just want them to play their best game and I think that's the most important part. Everyone's playing within themselves, but they're playing their best hockey."

For the Blues, it's the start of three games in four nights against three of the top teams in the Western Conference. They host red-hot Anaheim (11-0-1 in 12 and 18-1-2 the past 21 games) on Friday, then play at Dallas on Saturday.

"It's Chicago and then it's Anaheim and then it's Dallas," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "This week is a real testing ground for us to see where our game's at, where we're competitively-wise, where we're at team play-wise. I think it's four good games starting with the Minnesota game (Sunday). We passed that test; now we're onto the next one. Probably expect a loaded-up team coming tomorrow and we'll get a good feel for where we're at. I don't think anybody knows their team. Nobody's seen their team play full. We'll be the first team to get a look at it with all the changes they made on trade deadline and we'll get a good read on ourselves, too.

"We don't even talk about winning the division; it's about one day at a time playing well. That's all the focus is right now. The point totals will be determined and so will your schedule. We have a difficult schedule right now, but it eases off for days off towards the end, too. I think us and Chicago probably have the most difficult schedules of anybody right now. It's all about getting enough points to get in and then your standing is where it's at at the end of the day, but I don't think any of us look further ahead than 24 hours. I think the injuries have done that to us. We don't play with a read view mirror, which I think is a blessing for the players. They deserve a lot of credit because they move on very quickly. There's been some really emotional injuries, some really emotionally draining injuries that we've recovered the next day from, which I think is really a feather in everybody's cap because these have been difficult challenges and I think the players have passed a lot of those players because of it."

But a win today (7 p.m. on NBCSN, KMOX 1120-AM), it will show a lot for the Blues against the top-tiered team in the league the past six seasons with three Stanley Cup titles.

"I'm curious to see how we play against these guys tonight," Hitchcock said. "Then we'll have the coaching moments tomorrow and then move forward as quick as we can. I like the way we started. Minny's a good team, they were really playing well. We played awful well against them for two and a half periods and I want to have guys continue to play with that same pulse that we played with against Minny and against Ottawa. I liked our energy and I liked our spirit.

"(Injuries) forced us into a position where we had to play with no memory. Our players talked about it, everybody talks about it as "next-man-up" but we just played with no memory. We learned to survive early and then you just become numb after a while. That's what's happened here. We lost a lot of three-tool guys where they played both ends of special teams but we've been able to adjust and survive. I think the biggest thing for us is it hasn't been a Rembrandt at times, but we found ways to get points against difficult opponents and I think our confidence is growing where we feel like whoever's in the lineup, we can play competitively."

- - -

There was no official announcement from the NHL as of early Wednesday afternoon, but the Blues put out a release late Wednesday afternoon for fans to be in their seats for a "special announcement" prior to puck drop tonight that will confirm that the 2017 Winter Classic will have the Blues hosting the Blackhawks on Jan. 2 at Busch Stadium.

It was reported here (http://bit.ly/1RU3uQR) on Feb. 20 that the Blues and Blackhawks would be the teams announced as the matchup for the Winter Classic and that the announcement would come when the two teams played tonight on Wednesday Night Rivalry Game of the Week, which made sense for the NHL to make a splash during the marquee game of the night.

"We've been hoping that now for a few years," defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. "Busch Stadium's an unbelievable ballpark. A lot of baseball fans in here. It's going to be a pretty special place to play. Good climate. Two good teams could go at it. It would be fun to watch."

Brouwer, who helped beat the Blackhawks in the 2015 Winter Classic as a member of the Washington Capitals and who played with the Blackhawks against the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field in 2009, said it would be great for St. Louis.

"I've played in two of them and they're a lot of fun," Brouwer said. "It's a big spectacle, there's a lot to the game that may take away from the actual game a little bit with the whole event of it. The NHL and the teams that I've been on have done a phenomenal job promoting the game, making good hype for the game, hype for the cities, then the games themselves are always a lot of fun to play in. You bring your families in, you get to play outdoors. I know players love to do them and it's good to see that hopefully they'll expand to see that every team gets to do an outdoor game.

"If that's what the matchup is going to be, than yeah. Anytime you can add a little more interest to the game, whether it's rivalry games or the best teams in the NHL, it's always going to draw more fans, more notoriety, and sell the game even more.

"Yes, so I have fond memories of the Winter Classic. Even the one I played in Chicago was a lot of fun. We didn't win that game, but they're always a good time. You get to have your family in and my experience last year was a lot of fun."

So much is being made of the Blackhawks playing in a fifth outdoor game (they've played in two Stadium Series games, including one on Feb. 21 at Minnesota).

"They're a team that's won three Stanley Cups in the last five or six years," Brouwer said. "They've got a lot of star players on their roster they're a team that has a huge following throughout the NHL, in the fan base, why not? It's a way to get more people to watch the game and sell the game and have more interest in the game, then us as players are fine with it."

- - -

The Blues will have their top-ranked penalty kill unit (86.6 percent, which is tied for No. 1 in the NHL with the New York Islanders) against the Blackhawks, who are a scorching 50 percent (6-for-12 the past four games) and No. 1 in the NHL overall at 24.1 percent.

"Look at their power play; it's 50 percent here in the last little while," Hitchcock said. "It's incredible. Our PK is going to get a test today and we'll see how we measure up against that stuff.

"I think what's helped us is (Kyle) Brodziak and (Scottie) Upshall have had great chemistry together. Not just on PK, but they're chipping in offensively a little bit here now. They're contributing in ways that put the other team on their heels. We got good minutes from that line the last game and hopefully we get continued good minutes now. I like the energy that they're providing, but more importantly, I like the execution and good play that they're playing with."

- - -

Left wing Alexander Steen (upper body) and goalie Brian Elliott (lower body) skated with teammates for a second straight day Wednesday.

Hitchcock said on Tuesday that both had been on the ice for 4-5 days before the public could see them.

Elliott, who is on long-term injured reserve, will miss at least five more games, and Steen is eligible to return whenever he feels ready but said Tuesday it's likely right on the timeframe of being reevaluated in four weeks.

"I think it's more me frustrated. I feel like it's not progressing. I want to take two steps at a time," Steen said. "It's a slow process, but mentally trying to stay in it, stay positive and do what I can and right now, that's conditioning. A lot of rides, trying to get on the ice and keep my hip flexors and groins active and ready so that when the upper body is ready, I'll be good."

Elliott said: "It's never fun. When you're kind of playing and on a roll you want to keep playing. It's tough when you go down like that, but you've got to think of it positively and get stronger. When you come back, you get a little more rested and get ready for the stretch run.

You just want to be available when you can be, working up to it and not pushing too hard but pushing it just enough. When the date is coming off, you want to be ready just to jump back in."

- - -

The Blues' projected lineup:

Jaden Schwartz-Jori Lehtera-Vladimir Tarasenko

Robby Fabbri-Paul Stastny-Troy Brouwer

Patrik Berglund-David Backes-Dmitrij Jaskin

Scottie Upshall-Kyle Brodziak-Ryan Reaves

Jay Bouwmeester-Alex Pietrangelo

Carl Gunnarsson-Kevin Shattenkirk

Joel Edmundson-Colton Parayko

Jake Allen will start in goal. Anders Nilsson will be the backup.

Healthy scratches include Magnus Paajarvi and Robert Bortuzzo. Alexander Steen (upper body), Brian Elliott (lower body) and Steve Ott (hamstring) are on injured reserve.

- - -

The Blackhawks' projected lineup:

Andrew Ladd-Jonathan Toews-Andrew Shaw

Artemi Panarin-Artem Anisimov-Patrick Kane

Andrew Desjardins-Teuvo Teravainen-Tomas Fleischmann

Brandon Mashinter-Dennis Rasmussen-Dale Weise

Duncan Keith-Niklas Hjalmarsson

Erik Gustafsson-Brent Seabrook

Trevor van Riemsdyk-Michal Rozsival

Corey Crawford will start in goal. Scott Darling will be the backup.

Christian Ehrhoff and Richard Panik are healthy scratches. Marian Hossa (lower body) and Marcus Kruger (upper body) are on injured reserve.

(3-8-16) BLUES NOTEBOOK

Big week ahead for Blues; Winter Classic 

update; protecting big leads; Allen looking like old self 

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues began a stretch of four games in seven days against playoff-eligible teams by continuing their quality play on the road.

A 4-2 victory Sunday in Minnesota kick-started a week that includes home games Wednesday and Friday against Chicago and Anaheim, respectively, and concludes with a road game Saturday in Dallas.

The Blues (38-20-9), two points behind the Blackhawks and Stars for the race to No. 1 in the Central Division, have the chance to pull even or even jump into first place with regulation wins against the Blackhawks and Stars and a chance to derail the hottest team in the NHL, the Ducks, who were 18-1-1 before Monday the past 20 games.

"This is going to be a real test for us," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "These are four top teams, and so we're 1-0 in this week and we've got three more tough games coming up."

"Huge games," said right wing Ryan Reaves, who scored Sunday in Minnesota. "This is playoff stretch right now and we're playing teams that we're in the mix with, tied with and chasing. These are points that we've really got to steal and start getting some separation from."

With 15 regular season games remaining, the Blues, Blackhawks and Stars are jockeying for position within the division because the ones that finish second and third in the division will face one another in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"It's a very big week," said forward Patrik Berglund, whose game winner Sunday was the fourth this season of his six goals. "It's a big challenge, but we haven't started thinking about that yet. We're going to let this one sink in and get back home and rest up and then we'll go from there."

* Protecting leads -- For the second straight game, the Blues were forced to protect a 3-0 lead and third straight game, they held a three-goal lead on the road.

The Blues polished off Carolina 5-2 on Feb. 28 by scoring four unanswered goals in a game the Hurricanes traded away hours before the game their captain (Eric Staal) and pulled a pair of forwards in Kris Versteeg, who was traded to Los Angeles later that night, and Riley Nash because of injury.

In Ottawa last Tuesday, the Senators rallied from a 3-0 deficit but lost when the Blues were able to salvage the second point in an 11-round shootout.

Sunday, the same scenario presented itself. The Blues built a 3-0 lead, had ample chances to build on the lead but would have the Wild instead rally furiously to cut the lead to one. Minnesota nearly tied it moments before Robby Fabbri eased everyone's minds with an empty-netter with 1 minute, 31 seconds remaining.

"We're getting lots of chances to put (teams) away, lots of chances to extend leads in a big way," Hitchcock said. "Part of it is bearing down and part of it is we're kind of changing our offensive structure. For better use of a term, we probably get a little too cute. I think it's stuff we can show the guys on Tuesday and get ready for Wednesday.

"We're creating a lot of offense, we're scoring goals in the hard areas, we're doing a lot of good things, but it's kind of attitude-wise. We've got to talk about how to shut a game down and what are the core things that take place. We've made similar mistakes the last three games, and they're coachable mistakes that we can correct; they're not effort mistakes. They're coachable mistakes and we'll get them corrected."

The Blues were successful the past two games by winning battles in the neutral zone, turning their respective opponents over -- like Jori Lehtera's goal to open the game Sunday -- and winning with the formula implemented. 

"We're winning the game with checking," Hitchcock said. "When we're checking and our puck management is on top, we're doing a helluva a job, but the minute we come off it, we open ourselves up because we really pride ourselves in structure. Maybe what we lack in footspeed, we've got good structure. When we get into these foot races, we lose our structure and that's what we've got to address."

As long as the Blues don't deviate from the game plan, they seem to do well.

"We were obviously sticking to the game plan," Berglund said. "We wanted to keep playing the same way we did in the first and second. I think we started off doing a decent job. They got those two goals. Again, it's not fun to be a part of, but it's something we just have to get better at to close out games. We're letting in too many teams now when we have leads. It's on us. I don't know if we need to be more focused or whatever it is, but it's getting a little too tight every time."

But a lost puck battle along the boards produced the first goal, a coverage error and extended shift enabled the Wild to score again.

"We've just got to tighten it up a little bit when we get a lead in the third period," said Reaves, who was a plus-2 in a game Sunday for just the second time in his career (April 25, 2013 vs. Calgary). "We've got to learn to just keep playing our game and not back off and keep pushing forward. Lesson learned and we'll address it, but I think we're good."

* Allen back to old form -- Goalie Jake Allen won his third straight start Sunday and is one win shy of tying a career-high in wins with 22. He made 30 saves Sunday in his best game since returning from a knee injury.

Allen was called upon to make a handful of quality saves, including one in the second period on Jason Pominville to preserve a 3-0 lead, and another in the waning seconds with the paddle of his stick as the Wild were pressing with a sixth attacker.

"I've felt I've constantly progressed every game," Allen said. "Even the Nashville game (a 5-0 loss) I felt pretty good even though it was whatever happened, but I've felt that I'm slowly getting better trying to get my game back to where it needs to be. I think I'm on the right track."

Allen is 21-13-3 with a 2.26 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in 39 games (37 of them starts). He has five shutouts, which is still tied for second in the NHL despite missing six weeks.

"Jake was good when we needed him, and we're going to need that moving forward," Hitchcock said. "Any time you're getting points right now, it's good. Everybody's looking at what the number is to get in. We kind of got an idea of what it is; I'm sure Minny does, too. Any time you can pick up points at this time of year is good stuff.

"... He's just getting better and better. This is the most minutes he's put together. He's been in that 50-minute state for a little while. Now this is obviously 60 tonight."

Berglund said: "He made some unbelievable saves today again. But obviously we need that to win games."

* Winter Classic update -- As was reported here on Feb. 20, an announcement is expected Wednesday from the NHL to name the Blues as the hosts of the 2017 Bridgestone Winter Classic, with the Blackhawks as the opponents on Jan. 2, 2017. That announcement could still take place on Wednesday, but as of Monday evening, there was no indication that it will.

A source said the Winter Classic "will happen" here between Blues and Blackhawks, and an announcement is just a formality. 

The league announced on Sunday that Winnipeg will host Edmonton on Oct. 23 in the 2016 Tim Horton's NHL Heritage Classic at Investors Group Field.

Blues take command early, hold off Wild 4-2

St. Louis nearly squanders second 3-0 lead in as many 

games, win seventh road game in eight; Allen strong in goal 

By LOU KORAC
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- This time, the Blues made sure if they got a three-goal lead, they would manage the game in the right way.

They tried to let it slip away again in the third period but managed to hold on this time.

For the second straight road game, the Blues scored the first three goals; they did it Tuesday at Ottawa.

But instead of getting into what coach Ken Hitchcock called "a track meet," the Blues neutralized the Minnesota Wild.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

Blues right wing Ryan Reaves (75) chases the Wild's Mike Reilly during

Sunday's 4-2 Blues victory in St. Paul. Reaves scored a goal in the first.

Jori Lehtera, Ryan Reaves, Patrik Berglund and Robby Fabbri scored for the Blues, who won their seventh game in the past eight on the road and third straight in a 4-2 win against the Wild on Sunday night at Xcel Energy Center to snap the Wild's four-game winning streak.

Jake Allen made 30 saves in arguably his best game since his return from injury.

The Blues built a 3-0 lead after two periods but saw the Wild (31-26-10) make things interesting with two goals to cut into the Blues' lead and make things tense at the end, but Fabbri's empty-netter late preserved a different ending than the one that saw the Senators rally and tie the game with .1 seconds remaining before the Blues won in a marathon 11-round shootout.


The Blues (38-20-9) needed a victory to stay within two points of both the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars for the Central Division race. The Blackhawks beat Detroit 4-1 Sunday, and Dallas won at Ottawa, 2-1, to remain two points ahead of the Blues (87-85).

Lehtera's first goal since Feb. 6 -- also against the Wild -- gave the Blues a 1-0 lead after he picked off rookie Mike Reilly's pass in the neutral zone, skated in with space and beat Dubnyk five-hole with a slapper at 7:44. It was Lehtera's first game back since taking a puck to the face Feb. 25 against the New York Rangers.

Lehtera was being hooked on the play by Charlie Coyle but was able to break away enough to get the slapper off.

Reaves' first goal in 16 games was his first as a father, whose son Kanen was born Thursday morning; it needed video review and a challenge from the Wild but the goal counted and gave the Blues a 2-0 lead.

Reaves had the chance to get the puck for his kid but, "I completely forgot," he said. "... I'm a little upset with myself. I have to keep the stick now.

"Apparently, he's my good little luck charm. The boys were joking I've got to pop one out every day, but I don't think I've got time for that." 

Jay Bouwmeester's outlet feed to Kyle Brodziak came to the Wild blue line, and Brodziak was in ahead of the play before the puck entered the zone. He fed Reaves coming down the right side and he beat Dubnyk short side at 9:37, but the Wild challenged the play.

Brodziak was ahead of the play but as the NHL Situation Room explained it from the rules, Brodziak had possession and control of the puck when the Blues entered the attacking zone, this making it a legal play.

"'Brodzie' had full possession," Reaves said. "Obviously it looks offsides when his feet are in like that, but he has full possession of the puck and that makes it a good play."

Berglund extended the lead to 3-0 and chased Dubnyk from goal after he got the puck up ice to David Backes; former teammate Chris Porter lost handle of the puck behind trying to get it back to the point. Backes drew three defenders to him shooting from inside the blue line. Dubnyk's juicy rebound to the slot with Berglund coming down the slot enabled him to get a shot off through Dubnyk at 10:21 of the second period.

"I think it was just one of those plays that they obviously looked a whole lot at 'DB,'" Berglund said. "It was a good shot, rebound and it popped straight out to my stick. Not a very good shot, but it went in."

Dubnyk allowed three goals on 16 shots and was replaced by Kuemper, who ended the second period with 10 saves.

Allen, who had his best game since returning from a left knee injury, preserved the three-goal lead after Bouwmeester lost a puck in the defensive zone, and Allen would make a terrific glove save on Jason Pominville's effort with 7:43 remaining in the second; he made several key saves in the third, too, including one on Pominville again with 19 seconds remaining using the paddle of his stick.

"It was fun for me; we let our foot off the gas for a litle bit," Allen said. "We knew they were going to come with a push. You've got to give them some credit, too. We got the win, big two points, especially after a long layoff. It's sort of tough to come back into those games, but we did a great job.

"... They're a tough team to play against. They throw a lot of passes when they can shoot. Then it makes for scrambles around the net. It's a crapshoot down there. It's tough to play against, but credit to them. They've changed their style since the new coach a little bit. We were ready for it."

The Wild scored twice in 3:38 of the third to make things interesting.

Ryan Suter got the Wild on the board with 8:58 remaining after he prevented Dmitrij Jaskin from clearing puck along the boards, Suter blocks attempt, puck gets to Zach Parise, who feeds Suter coming into the slot alone and he beats Allen with the backhand high glove side to make it 3-1.

Matt Dumba poked in a loose puck when Charlie Coyle slipped it into the crease with 5:20 remaining to make it 3-2.

The Wild pressed for the equalizer but Fabbri was score after getting into open ice once Kevin Shattenkirk threw a puck off the boards. Fabbri's 16th of the season and 11th point since the All-Star break gave the Blues a two-goal lead with 1:31 remaining. 

(St. Louis Blues photo)

Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) can't handle Patrik Berglund's shot in the

second period Sunday. Berglund's goal gave the Blues a 3-0 lead and

chased the Wild goalie.

"When it was 3-0, we had all those chances in the second, and then the (Fabbri) breakaway; it seems to be the M.O. of the last three games where we really could have buried teams and kind of let them hang around," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We made a couple mistakes on their first goal and we made a coverage mistake on their second goal and then all of the sudden, the track meet's on. 

"We're not making it easy on ourselves. We've playing some real good hockey and then we're making mistakes that are kind of what I call coaching-moments mistakes; we can correct those on Tuesday with video and then move forward."

(3-6-16) Blues-Wild Gameday Lineup

By LOU KORAC
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- For those that wondered, the Blues do in fact still play in the NHL.

It doesn't seem like it since they haven't played since Tuesday, a rarity this late in the season when the Blues (37-20-9) are normally accustomed to a heavy workload in March, but they do begin a tough stretch this week beginning today against the Minnesota Wild (31-25-10), who have won four in a row after a 3-2 shootout win at Buffalo on Saturday afternoon.

It's the first time the Blues will get a look at the same Wild team but under new coach John Torchetti, who took over after Mike Yeo was fired Feb. 13.

Minnesota has gone 8-3-0 since Torchetti took over after a 1-11-2 stretch in 14 games under Yeo that ultimately cost him his job

"I don't think you can make enough change in your system of play," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "When we watch them play, they play the same way. They've got great structure, good discipline. They play the game without giving up very much. I don't think there's a lot of changes, to be honest with you. 

"We've had good games against them. It seems the team that's outplayed the other team has lost in most of these events. That's something that we'd like to see change. They outplayed us the the last game we won in our building. We outplayed them the last game that we lost in their building. Hopefully we can get a change here and play well for 60 minutes."

If anything, the Blues, who came into Sunday two points behind Chicago and Dallas -- who both played Sunday, too -- in the Central Division race, got the chance to rest and heal for a week that includes games Wednesday against the Blackhawks, Friday against red-hot Anaheim and at Dallas Saturday.

"It's a little time to rest and recover and let some bumps and bruises (heal), but hopefully make some new bumps and bruises this evening when we're playing the right way and sacrificing and doing all the little things it takes to win in this league," captain David Backes said. "We've got a team that's been on a roll, they've got a new coach that's added some new life and we've got to make sure that we're focused on the two points that are up for grabs tonight.

"There's benefits to staying in a groove and keep playing, but there's also benefits to being rested and having energy and letting some bodies heal, especially in our circumstances. We'll need to get back into the groove in a hard, direct way."

The Wild, who won the first four under Torchetti, lost three in a row and have now won four straight again, are playing the third in four days.

"I don't believe when you come home, you're tired off of a short road trip like that," Hitchcock said. "When you don't have to come to the rink and play an afternoon game, there's a big difference. I think three in four nights, back-to-back games are to me, the most over-ridden term around. I think a lot of those players have played three in three nights in the American (Hockey) League, three in three nights in junior, three in three nights in the USHL (United States Hockey League). I don't think it's irrelevant at all. But it does feel like you get a big break when you play in the afternoon and then don't play until the next night. It feels almost like you had a day off."

- - -

Center Jori Lehtera will return after missing three games with an upper-body injury, the result of being hit in the mouth with an inadvertent puck against the New York Rangers on Feb. 25.

Lehtera, who has seven goals and 27 points in 63 games, will center the "STL Line" with Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko.

"When he went out against the Rangers, he went out in the first period early and the line had five scoring chances in five shifts, which was really good," Hitchcock said of Lehtera. "It looked like the line of last year for the first time. They've had good practices here. Hopefully we get them up to speed."

Tarasenko said: "I think we have good chemistry when we play together. It's always nice when somebody who plays with you for a long time comes back into the lineup. We're looking forward to playing better in the end of the season. We all know what our goal is. We try to be prepared for the playoffs. ... We understand each other well, Jaden, Jori and me."

- - -

The Minnesota High School state hockey championships were played the past four days at Xcel Energy Center, with the Class A and AA state title games taking place Saturday night in front of nearly 20,000 fans.

Backes, a Minnesota native who attended and played for Spring Lake Park High School from 1999-2002, recalled his days of attending games but never getting the chance to play in any.

"Upper bowl, skipping school, watching," Backes said. "That was the extent of my involvement with the state tournament unfortunately. We never got to make an appearance. It's something I feel like I missed out on. 

"It's quite a festive weekend for the state and it's pretty cool to see a professional building sold out for high school games. It's pretty cool. I missed out on it, but I was the 20,000 watching and cheering. It's just a great celebration of the game in the state."

Backes' high school career consisted of 77 goals and 112 assists in 73 games over three seasons but the Panthers were never able to qualify.

"No. We were in a heck of a conference, but the team that beat us my senior year, they ended up winning the whole thing," Backes said. "I don't know if you take solace in that or not, but it was always a battle from a a small town that anyone who tried out for the team at least got a spot on the varsity or JV teams. We had slim pickings, but they made their first appearance last year so it's trending in the right direction."

- - -

Goalie Jake Allen was on the ice for a heavily populated morning skate but left early. He left the final 35 minutes of practice Saturday but Hitchcock said again Sunday that Allen will start in goal.

It appears that forward Magnus Paajarvi and defenseman Robert Bortuzzo will be the healthy scratches.

- - -

The Blues' projected lineup:

Jaden Schwartz-Jori Lehtera-Vladimir Tarasenko

Robby Fabbri-Paul Stastny-Troy Brouwer

Patrik Berglund-David Backes-Dmitrij Jaskin

Scottie Upshall-Kyle Brodziak-Ryan Reaves

Jay Bouwmeester-Alex Pietrangelo

Carl Gunnarsson-Kevin Shattenkirk

Joel Edmundson-Colton Parayko

Jake Allen will start in goal. Anders Nilsson will be the backup.

Magnus Paajarvi and Robert Bortuzzo are the healthy scratches. Alexander Steen (upper body), Brian Elliott (lower body) and Steve Ott (hamstring) are on injured reserve.

- - -

The Wild's projected lineup:

Zach Parise-Mikko Koivu-Charlie Coyle

Jason Zucker-Mikael Granlund-Thomas Vanek

Nino Niederreiter-Erik Haula-Jason Pominville

Chris Porter-Ryan Carter-David Jones

Ryan Suter-Jared Spurgeon

Marco Scandella-Matt Dumba

Jonas Brodin-Mike Reilly

Devan Dubnyk is projected to start in goal despite playing Saturday. Darcy Kuemper would be the backup although Kuemper was on the ice with scratches Sunday morning; the Wild opted not to skate. Torchetti will address the media at 5 p.m.

Healthy scratches include Jarret Stoll, Justin Fontaine and Nate Prosser. The Wild report no injuries.

(3-6-16) BLUES NOTEBOOK

After time off, Blues set for big week of 

games; Nilsson getting acclimated; Reaves a father

By LOU KORAC
HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- The Blues resumed their mini training camp-like schedule in March on Saturday as they prepare to play an actual game for the first time in five days on Sunday.

The Blues (37-20-9), who last played in that epic 4-3 11-round shootout victory against Ottawa, a game in which they lost a three-goal lead before recapturing the second point, feel like they've benefited from the down time to allow the body to rest, injured guys get to heal some bumps and bruises and then there's Ryan Reaves, who was on hand for the birth of his son (Kanen John Reaves, who Ryan Reaves said came the first name came from a television show he and his wife Alanna watched) on Thursday.

It's a stretch in the schedule during the grueling days of March in which the Blues have four days off, then will have six sets of two off-days; they play just 12 times in 31 days in the month.

"It's nice for us because we never really get this," defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. "Last couple years, usually we have a busy schedule (in March). For us to kind of change it up here, go into the stretch with a bit of a break, a bit of a break (two) weeks in Vancouver, it's a pretty good feeling for us because we're not really used to it. The important thing is to really take advantage of it.

"With all the injuries, too ... four days (off this week), three days in Vancouver, two days in San Jose, these are all extra days that guys aren't missing games so it gives us an opportunity to recover some bodies."

What it allows the coaching staff to do is implement more practice time and to get things accomplished from a standpoint of execution and improvements.

"It's good for coaches as long as you're not playing stop and start again," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "That's what I'm curious (about). We had some really good moments the last two games we played, but now we're going to see how we look stop and start. We've had a lot of time off; for this time of year, we've had a lot of time off. Now we're going to play and get more time off, and then play and get more time off, so we've got to figure out what's a good balance. This game tomorrow will be a great judge of what is a good balance.

"We tried to keep the pace as high as we could (Saturday) knowing that's what the game's going to be like. Until you play the game, we won't know. We had good energy, we had good work. We'll see."

The extra rest is especially good for Pietrangelo, who has played two games since missing three weeks (nine games) with a right knee injury sustained Feb. 6 against the Wild.

"It's good for me, too, because you play those first couple games," Pietrangelo said. "Obviously you're feeling a bit sore. Not just the injury but in general when you don't play for a while. You get some bumps and bruises. Take a bit of a break and recover, take care of the body. I know most guys have done the most they can to make sure they're getting some rest.

"I wouldn't have came back if I wasn't at that point. Unfortunately sometimes in the games, you think about it. It seems like you always get hit in the same spot when there's an injury and you just notice it more. ... For me, it's just the first period. You get that first period to get into the groove of things." 

* Nilsson getting acclimated -- Backup goalie Anders Nilsson, acquired last week from the Edmonton Oilers for goalie prospect Niklas Lundstrom and a 2016 fifth-round pick, manned the net for most of practice Saturday after starter Jake Allen departed roughly 35 minutes before the conclusion.

Allen will start, according to Hitchcock, who said he was fine, but these are the situations the Blues felt they needed insurance with Brian Elliott (lower-body injury) already down.

"It was good. I got a lot of reps in today," said Nilsson, who would welcome a start at some point. "I saw a lot of pucks, so it was some good drills and a lot of game-like stuff.

"You can't control everything, but I'm trying to control what I can control, and that is how I work in practice and how my practice habit is. I'm just trying to work as hard as I can and improve my game every practice. If I get a start, I'm going to try and make the best out of it."

Nilsson went from playing out the string with the Oilers, who will miss the playoffs again, to competing for a playoff position and a team hopeful of bigger things.

"I feel more and more comfortable for each day," Nilsson said. "You get to know the team, you get to know the guys here and coaching staff and you get familiar with the city. It feels better every day.

"It's a new experience for me. I never been traded before. It's definitely something I'll learn from. It's good."

Nilsson spent last season with Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League and went 20-9-0 with a 1.71 goals-against average before signing as a free agent with the Oilers.

"It was a good experience," said Nilsson, who is 10-12-2 with a 3.14 GAA and .901 save percentage this season. "I felt like I was lucky I came onto a good team. I was on one of the top teams and top organizations. I had a good Finnish goalie coach. For me, it was a good experience. I felt like I developed my game a lot. I got to play a lot of games. I played at a high level against a lot of skilled guys. I felt like I took a big step last year actually."

* Scouting the Wild; big week for Blues -- Since the Minnesota Wild, the Blues' opponent Sunday (7 p.m. on NBCSN, KMOX 1120-AM), fired coach Mike Yeo and replaced him with John Torchetti, they've gone 8-3-0 in 11 games after beating the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday afternoon; they were 1-11-2 in 14 games before the coaching change. But not much has changed, according to Hitchcock.

"I saw them play against Toronto and that wasn't an evaluation from what their 'A' game was," Hitchcock said. "I've seen them play two games. For us, it's so hard to judge because they play so well against us. Every game they've played well this year. I don't see the change yet until I watch again because every game they play, they play really really good against us."

The Blues are on level playing ground now with the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars. Each team has played 66 games and the Blues trail both teams by two points (83-81).

"I told the players after we finished in Ottawa everybody catches up now," Hitchcock said. "We've got to answer the bell starting on Sunday night. It's our turn to answer the bell. It'll be a helluva hockey game, two hungry teams, two teams that play each other in a real honest fashion. Looking forward to it."

The game against the Wild begins a tough stretch of four games in seven days for the Blues, who will play at Minnesota, host Chicago Wenesday and the hottest team in the NHL right now (Anaheim) on Friday before going to Dallas for a night game Saturday.

"They're all top teams," Hitchcock said. "Everybody's a top team. Everybody's a playoff team, everybody's fighting for their own place. We knew this time was coming and we're hoping that we're ready for it."

(3-4-16) BLUES NOTEBOOK

Lehtera returns, likely to play Sunday, excited for World Cup of Hockey 

selection; Blues to get plenty of rest in March; extended shootout goes right way

By LOU KORAC
HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- Jori Lehtera was back at practice for the Blues on Wednesday, his second time skating in as many days but first with the team.

Lehtera missed the past three games after being struck in the mouth area with an inadvertent puck against the New York Rangers on Feb. 25; he was back centering Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko, aka the "STL Line."

Lehtera, who has seven goals and 27 points in 63 games, is "pretty sure" he's returning to the lineup when the Blues next play on Sunday at Minnesota.

"It was a good practice today," Lehtera said. "I feel better the whole day. ... It hit right here (above the lip) and it swelled. There was a hole, so they put the stitches inside and outside. A little headache, but now it's all gone."

Lehtera said it was difficult eating anything in the immediate few days after being hit. He was relegated to soups for the most part, but the first thing he had after the game he was injured? An Oreo milkshake he called "terrible."

"I didn't see anything coming," Lehtera said of the play. "It wasn't even that hard hit. I had a terrible headache, but now it's gone. I'm ready to play again."

Lehtera did receive some good news a few weeks back but wasn't officially announced until Wednesday when the respective countries unveiled their rosters for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey, which will be played in September in Toronto.

Lehtera will represent his native Finland.

"They called me a couple weeks ago; of course I was happy," Lehtera said. "I saw the teams' rosters yesterday and there's the best players. Of course I'm happy to be there. ... It's always nice when they call you."

And regarding his Finland's roster?

"I think it's the best one Finland can have," Lehtera said. "If you play bad, the whole (country of) Finland is going to hate you. Of course there's huge pressure, but it's a lot of fun."

Lehtera joins current teammates Alexander Steen (Sweden) and Tarasenko (Russia) to make the opening roster, which consisted of 16 of the 23 players being selected by each team. Suspended Blues forward Vladimir Sobotka was selected to represent the Czech Republic.

The remaining seven spots will be revealed in June.

It will be the fourth appearance for Lehtera at the international stage; he has been part of two World Championships (2009 and 2014) and one Winter Olympics (2014).

"Olympics, World Championships ... of course, it's a good group of guys there," Lehtera said. "Good team spirit and I like to be there. ... It makes you play better, push harder.

"In Finland, there's five million people and in the World Championship final, there was three million people watching. It's a pretty big sport in Finland too."

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock felt some of his other players should have been picked.

"I'm a little surprised that we didn't get more, to be honest with you," Hitchcock said. "Hopefully that next wave, we get a bunch more guys. I think we've got some good, character players that can add to the teams that are already picked. I'm hopeful that we get more. I was a little surprised that we only had three chosen."

Among those that could be under consideration when the rosters are filled include Kevin Shattenkirk, David Backes and Paul Stastny for USA, Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Pietrangelo for Canada, Robby Fabbri and Colton Parayko for North American's 23-Under squad and Patrik Berglund for Sweden.

Did Hitchcock lobby Blues general manager and Canada GM Doug Armstrong? 

"I'm not doing that," Hitchcock joked. "I'm in the neutral zone this year."

Blues head equipment manager Bert Godin and head athletic trainer Ray Barile were chosen to represent USA.

* Rest up -- Now that the calendar has turned to March, the Blues (37-20-9) for a change will have the opportunity to get some valuable rest for a team that's been battered and bruised most of the season.

On Wednesday, the Blues began a stretch of playing one game (Sunday against the Wild) in seven days; they'll play only 12 games in the month and have seven stretches of two at least two days off between games, including four days from Wednesday through Saturday.

"That's perfect," right wing Troy Brouwer said. "I've never had a schedule like this where it's so front-loaded on us. That gives us a good opportunity to have some days off, get some rest, a look at some areas of our game that we need to improve, areas that we need to tighten up, even areas of our game that we've done really well and we can get good, positive feedback on it and get a good feeling in here. I like it just because you have a couple more days at home, a couple more days with the family, a couple days to relax and refresh yourself because you know the playoffs is always a taxing time."

Players certainly don't mind the extra time off, especially since the Blues usually have a back-loaded schedule.

"It's unusual for us and I think we've kind of put our work in and had a lot of competition early in the season so now we can get rest when it really matters," captain David Backes said. "That was kind of one of our feedbacks going into the season is that we had so many games at the end of the year, it's tough to have that jump in the playoffs when we really needed it.

"You need to make sure when games are there, you're not taking that rest for granted and you're in that game mode because we've shown when it's every other day or so that we can put a streak of a few together. We need to get the two points when they're on the line but also use those days when it's practice days to get some work done but also rest up so that we're bringing 100 percent for 60 minutes with a group of 20 guys."

However, Hitchcock isn't a fan of the extended days off, even though he likes the opportunities to implement practice time.

"I don't like it. I don't like it from the standpoint that everybody gets to play catch-up to us, so you're looking over your shoulder and I don't like the part of looking over your shoulder," Hitchcock said. "I think we'd rather get playing once our energy's back. I think the toughest part of this is waiting until Sunday to play because other teams are going to be playing three games and we're playing none until we catch up. So we've got to just manage our time properly so we've got the energy to play on Sunday. We don't want to show rust. We did what we did today. We put a double session in today, we'll rest tomorrow, we'll go back at it on a good pace Saturday and then we'll include the pregame skate with it on Sunday. 

"I remember last year we were playing a lot. This year it seems that March is a little bit lighter. More time for practice and balance. It's just finding the right balance, it's finding the balance between rest and work. That's why we're in constant communication with the players and seeing what their energy's like, what their needs are and what our needs are. From a coaching staff's standpoint, we've got to get certain things out of the practice and the players need to get certain things too. You've got to get that sense of balance."

The Blues put in a double session on Thursday after having off-days on Monday and Wednesday; they'll take off Friday and skate hard Saturday before flying off to Minnesota.

"When we talked it over with the leaders, we're going to skate as a group in Minnesota, so when we put that skate in, the leaders wanted to skate as a group there," HItchcock said. "Rather than go every day, we decided to pull in another day."

* Shootout fun -- The Blues weren't pleased that they nearly squandered a second point in Ottawa on Tuesday after getting a 3-0 lead, but seeing the game go to a marathon shootout, it takes some of the intensity out of the game.

Berglund finally ended the Blues' longest shootout in franchise history when he converted in the 11th round as the 22nd shooter of a 4-3 victory against the Senators.

And in honor of that scintilating performance in which Jake Allen and Andrew Hammond dominated their respective nets, the Blues had a shootout contest at the end of practice Thursday.

The results resembled Tuesday when goals were at a premium until Robby Fabbri scored to win it for his team in the race to the finish.

"That's the longest one, especially without any goals," Fabbri said referring to Tuesday's shootout. "Pretty intense.

"I think the goalies did a great job. 'Snake,' you see in practice, he's a tough guy to beat in practice and he shows in the game as well. Hammond did the same thing. I give credit to the goalies on that one."

Brouwer added: "Today was an indication for guys to try and score some goals but for also coaches to have a good look to see if we get a little deeper into those shootouts, who's got good moves."

Eleven rounds really is nothing for Brouwer, who was part of the NHL's longest-ever shootout when his Washington Capitals lost the Florida Panthers last season in the 20th round.

"In Washington, I was like the 5-6 guy," Brouwer said. "I was coming up in a shot or two (for two attempts).

"At the very beginning of shootouts, it's intense, but once it goes further, it gets a little bit more and more funny because guys are on the bench panicking, trying to pick out their moves. Somebody that otherwise wouldn't get to shoot gets to go. It is a lot of fun to get to see your teammates go out there and have fun when you're the only guy on the ice."

Backes and Ryan Reaves even got superstitious and turned their backs to the ice in the later stages, choosing to get reactions from the crowd to tell them what happened.

"We've got a little routine trying different things to bring the mojo to our guys," Backes said. "That's what it had come to and it was to look away and stare up in the stands and getting some gestures and some boo's. Then we saw them getting up to leave the rink and saw our guys cheering and it was a good result. ... It's part of the fun of the game to enjoy that."

* Reaves misses practice -- Reaves was the lone skater not present at practice, with Hitchcock calling it personal time.

Reaves' wife Alanna is due to deliver the couple's first child, and Hitchcock said the right winger will be available for practice Saturday.