Reaves, fourth line propel Blues to 4-1 win over Flames

Enforcer nets first two-goal game; St. Louis closes in on fourth place in West

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- Blues enforcer Ryan Reaves wants to make one thing clear:

"I never turned into the team sniper," Reaves said after his first career two-goal game in a 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames Thursday night. "The hands felt good today. Luckily I can pot a couple."

Reaves did pot a couple, and for the Blues, it's one victory nailed down, one more to go.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

Ryan Reaves (center) celebrates one of his two goals Thursday in a 4-1

victory over the Calgary Flames.

Knowing that wins in their final two regular-season games would clinch the fourth seed in the Western Conference and home ice advantage in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Blues took a businesslike approach and applied it to their game against the Flames for a season-high fifth straight home win.

The Blues' fourth line took center stage in the scoring department -- with Reaves leading the charge, Adam Cracknell added two assists and Chris Porter added an assist.

St. Louis got second-period goals by Reaves, Andy McDonald and Alexander Steen, and Chris Stewart added a pair of assists.

The Blues (28-17-2) hopped over both the idle Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks into fourth place by one point. They can lock up fourth place and home ice against the winner of the Sharks-Kings game late Saturday by winning season finale earlier in the evening against the Chicago Blackhawks -- who have wrapped up the Presidents' Trophy and have nothing left to play for.

"It's an important game," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said of Saturday's finale. "You move on one way or the other, but it's an important game. It's two good teams. Chicago's arguably the best team in a long time in the league the way they've played. It's a good challenge. We're going to have to be at our best to win the hockey game, but I think it's a fun game to finish the season with. It's obviously more important for us than it is for them."

Brian Elliott set a Blues franchise record with his 10th victory this month, improving to 10-2-0 by stopping 18 shots.

"Tonight we took care of business," said Elliott, who now has a 1.14 goals-against average and .947 save percentage this month. "We got one more chance to do it again."

The Flames (19-24-4), playing out the string in their fourth consecutive non-playoff season, got a goal from Sven Baertschi, and Joey MacDonald stopped 16 shots.

"They were much better than us," Flames coach Bob Hartley said of the Blues. "They took advantage of a couple of mistakes. They are a good skating team and a good transition team. They can shoot the puck. You give them a little room and they will make you pay. That’s what they did."

Added Flames defenseman and St. Louis native Chris Butler: "I thought we got out-worked. We didn’t play hard enough. There was a big difference in the two teams tonight. You look at the way they played and the way we played and there’s a reason why they are where they are in the standings and why we are where we are. We turned over too many pucks in the neutral zone and we didn’t defend hard enough. We probably got the result we deserved."

After a scoreless, practically lifeless first period, the Blues found their offensive game in the second.

Reaves scored his eighth career goal but second in four games at 3:21 when he took Cracknell's feed and sniped a wrister on the near side past MacDonald using Porter as a screen.

"Ports brings a lot of speed with that first goal he kind of set up," Reaves said. "Cracks made a good pass."

The Flames got the equalizer when Jaden Schwartz lost an offensive zone puck, Elliott came out to the high slot to play it but threw it poorly off the right boards, got caught out of the net and Jiri Hudler fed Baertschi for a one-timer at 7:58 as Elliott tried diving back into the goalmouth.

"It was kind of a play that the communication wasn't there," Elliott said. "The way we were playing, I knew we were going to come out on top in that period. ... A mistake like that can cost you, so we need to clean some stuff up like that."

The Blues got the lead back when McDonald scored his second in as many games, taking a feed from Stewart and snapping a shot high into the top left corner at the 10-minute mark.

Steen was able to score despite being hooked by Maxwell Reinhart -- he stuck with the play and was able to lift a backhand over a sprawled MacDonald with 4:33 left in the second after the Blues initially won a faceoff on the power play.

It's the first time since March 7, a 6-3 win against the Phoenix Coyotes, that the Blues scored three goals in a period.

Reaves added his second of the game, ninth of his career and third in four games when he crashed the net and slammed home a Porter dump into the crease 2:10 into the final period.

"I don't know what he had for pre-game, but I wish I had some of that," Cracknell joked. "He scores goals going to the net, has a a quick shot and that's what we practice on all the time. To get rewarded the way we did tonight, it's a good feeling knowing that if our line can contribute and get chances like that, we're going to pot some and hopefully help our as much as we can."

Hitchcock will have a hard time limiting this unit's ice time when the playoff begin.

"I just think they've got great chemistry," Hitchcock said. "I think everything is work-based, they compete, they're strong on the puck, they're smart. I don't really know if you can call it a fourth line. We've got four lines. I think if that line continues to play at that pace, I don't think you're going to be using it as a fourth line either. They're going to be using up quite a bit of ice time if they play at this level.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

The Blues' Ryan Reaves pumps his fist after scoring a goal as

teammates Chris Porter (second from right) & Adam Cracknell (right)

join in during a 4-1 win over Calgary.

"You could see it coming for a month now. Every time we play them together, they play well. I think they've got the right combination. They've got size and smarts. I think the confidence with scoring a couple goals now is really going to help them ... as long as Revo doesn't think he's a goal-scorer now."

Elliott stood his ground on a couple close calls, first extending the right toe on a shorthanded breakaway on Roman Horak with 11:49 remaining, then thwarting a rebound of a Mike Cammalleri chance with eight minutes left. Elliott topped it off with a fabulous glove save on former Blues prospect Mark Cundari, part of the trade that brought Jay Bouwmeester to St. Louis, with 3:13 to play.

"Make the ones you should, maybe a couple you shouldn't and you should be OK," said Elliott, who heard chants of ELL-IOTT, ELL-IOTT tonight. "

I don't know if it's warranted, especially in a game like that where I didn't get much work. I was chanting REVO! REVO!"

* NOTES -- Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk to play in his 200th career game Thursday. ... Bouwmeester playd his first game against the team that traded him to the Blues on April 1. ... Defenseman Kris Russell played in first game on 'D' since April 1. Russell had only played in one of last 12 games, and that was left wing at Detroit April 7. He logged 15:51 ice time, had two shots and blocked four more.

(4-25-13) Flames-Blues Gameday Lineup

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- If Jay Bouwmeester was emotionless after it came to fruition that he would be in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in his 10-year career, facing his former teammates tonight surely won't faze him either right?

Of course.

Bouwmeester, who was acquired two days before the trade deadline in a blockbuster with the Calgary Flames that sent a conditional first- and fourth-round pick in 2013, prospect Mark Cundari and the rights to goaltender Reto Berra, will face the Flames for the first time when the Blues (27-17-2) and Calgary (19-23-4) square off at 7 p.m. (FSN, KMOX 1120-AM).

"It's always different," Bouwmeester said at Thursday's morning skate. "I've had the experience of doing it in Florida, so it's not like it's the first time. Being on the road is a little different playing against the guys you were with. You make friendships, on the personal side of things, you make a lot of relationships. It's good to see everyone and all that, but once the game starts you just play the game. Guys play against each other all the time."

Bouwmeester, the third overall pick in 2002 by the Florida Panthers, still has friends on the Flames team that has undergone a makeover. He left the Panthers via free agency to sign a five-year, $33.4 million contract with the Flames in 2009, has helped the Blues go make a huge turnaround in the month of April. They've gone 10-3-0 and thrust themselves into the middle of the playoff chase.

Bouwmeester, who has a goal and five assists in 12 games with the Blues, was able to get reacquainted with his former mates but when the puck drops, Calgary is the opponent.

"You know guys on every team, so when you do get moved or other guys you played against, you kind of separate it and you play the game," Bouwmeester said. "Nowadays, you usually know five or six guys on the other team. I don't look at it as anything significant."

Cundari, who has played in two games with the Flames, scored in his NHL debut on his first NHL shot. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008 but could never make the Blues' roster after two-plus seasons with the Peoria Rivermen.

"There were some times when I was in Peoria where I was thinking, 'Oh man, what do I have to do to get up there? I'm playing well,'" Cundari said. "But at the same time, hey, the chance never came up. Whether it was guys not being injured or signings or whatever and hey, that's the business of the game. I'm not going to sit there and pout. I just came to work every day and tried to maximize my abilities. To me, being here has helped me as a pro mentally to get to that next level. The physical aspect of the game is there. For me, it's not just mentally learning the game and perfecting it."

It will be natural to have feelings of wanting to prove something to the old squad.

"Obviously that feeling's there, but I'm not going to let it overwhelm me," said Cundari, who has a goal and two assists in two NHL games. "I don't have to go out there, cause all sorts of havoc and show them this is what you're missing. It's not about that. It's about me starting my NHL career and making it a long one. It's not about payback or that. It's the business part of the game and I've accepted it and happy to be part of this organization now."

Flames coach Bob Hartley went through the same scenario when facing the Colorado Avalanche, who fired him in 2003 and was hired by the Atlanta Thrashers.

"I remember my first time back in Colorado ... the first time is always kind of a special game," Hartley said. "You can make this special two ways, you can look at this as a positive challenge or kind of as a negative, whether you want to prove your new team right or you want to prove your old team wrong. For me, I've always been I look at the positive side. I always try to prove the people that shows confidence in me, I'm trying to prove them right that they made the right decision."

Cundari is looking forward to locking up with some former Rivermen teammates and friends.

"A couple of the guys I played with, Ryan Reaves, (Adam) Cracknell, Jaden Schwartz ... they were all buzzing by the bench there kind of chirping me a little," Cundari joked. "That was kind of cool. I'm looking forward to playing against them."

- - -

Wednesday night couldn't have gone any better for the Blues. And they didn't even have to step onto the ice.

With losses by both Los Angeles and San Jose, as well as Chicago wrapping up the Presidents' Trophy with a win at Edmonton, the Blues know they control their own fate as far as the race for the fourth seed in the Western Conference and home-ice advantage in at least the first round of the playoffs.

"As it went along there, LA had their opportunity, then San Jose has an opportunity to grab it and take hold," defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk said. "Now it's fallen on us. I think we're ready to answer the call. It's two big games coming up here. Obviously home ice advantage would be huge.
"We have it in our hands just like you said. We obviously didn't think maybe even three or four days ago that this would be a possibility, but now that it's come about, we're ready for it. I know we talked about how important it is to get the highest seed possible, whether it's even the sixth or fifth. You never know when you can get home ice advantage on the way. To nab it as early as possible would be huge."

Teammate Alex Pietrangelo echoed those sentiments, and with the Blues remaining games against the Flames and Blackhawks (who have nothing to play for here Saturday), the Blues know what's at stake.

"We know that they (the Kings and Sharks) lost last night and it gives us the opportunity to get up to fourth," Pietrangelo said. "We've got a pretty good feeling in here with the way we're playing. Sunday against Colorado wasn't our best game, but if you look at the last five or six games, we've done a lot of good things. We're trying to have fun with this whole process. We're trying not to stay too tight. We're trying to enjoy everything, enjoy the fight here to get the home-ice advantage.

"You win two games and you're in fourth place. Its as simple as that. It's not confusing math. If we win those two games, it's an opportunity for home-ice advantage. We had it last year and it was big for us. You're not traveling next week, you're at home, guys can relax and get ready."

The Blues have won four in a row and five of six at home and are feeling that home-ice magic that they had last season.

"The way we've played on home ice lately, it's a good opportunity to get up early on a team," Pietrangelo said. "I think we've done a lot of good things. We've been trying to get a lot of energy in the building."

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock understands destiny is in their own hands, but that's when it can get tricky.

"Yeah, but I also think if you play careful, that's when you get hurt," Hitchcock said. "I think if you play tentative, or if you play to try to get out of the way, bad habits come in. Momentum off of good habits is a very positive thing. ... You don't want to be starting the playoffs trying to grab your game. That's why this morning wasn't a pre-game skate, it was a practice.

"... We've got a chance now. Home ice is sitting right in front of us ... for us the higher seed, depending on if we have success in the first round, would really help us. So we're going to definitely try to go for it here."

The Blues wouldn't be so poor off if they began on the road, where they have the second-best record in the Western Conference (14-9-1) and third overall in the league behind Chicago and Pittsburgh, who both have 18 wins.

"We've been a great road team, but I think the energy we get from our fans in this building, that type of momentum that can be drawn from a crowd, I think is huge in the playoffs," Shattenkirk said. "No matter how good you are on the road during the course of a season, this is the place we love to play and I know we can feed off the energy in here. It's a hard place for other teams to try to come in and play and win a game. When that's the case, you want to be home as much as possible.

"That's the beauty of it is we know we have to win two to get home ice advantage, so we can't look past tonight. This team's out and they're obviously not happy about that. They have a couple guys in the lineup trying to prove themselves andcme in and make some noise in this league at the end of the year. Those are the guys that can really hurt you, the guys that are AHL call-ups. They're all great players. Everyone in this league's a great player. They're the ones who are battling on their team the most and can hurt you the most."

- - -

Defenseman Kris Russell will make his return to the lineup and play alongside Roman Polak against the Flames.

Russell, who has played in only one of 12 games since the Blues acquired Bouwmeester and Jordan Leopold via trades, was the odd-man out when the Blues decided on their top six.

But a foot/ankle injury to veteran Barret Jackman, suffered blocking a shot Tuesday against Colorado, will sideline Jackman tonight and likely Saturday's season-finale against Chicago.

"I worked hard practicing and trying to keep my game, so it's good to get in a game again," Russell said. "I tried to be positive. Some days are tough. Because of the trades, we have a deep 'D' core. You can't change a recipe that's worked. I'm just happy to have an opportunity to get in."

Hitchcock, who said Russell and Ian Cole have both been "good soldiers" sitting out and waiting for their time, doesn't feel like the Blues will miss a beat.

"Him and Roman have been a good pair for us," Hitchcock said of Russell. "They were playing great until we made the trades. I see no reason that Kris isn't going to come in and play well. He does it every time. He's going to give us a different type of energy than Jacks. It's the same role. Kris' game has evolved where he's a mobile defending defenseman that knows how to kill penalties. He plays a very smart game, his game has really matured."
- - -

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has named Blues goaltending prospect Jordan Binnington of the Owen Sound Attack, the OHL’s Goaltender of the Year.

Binnington, 19, set the Owen Sound single season records with 32 wins and seven shutouts while posting the OHL’s second lowest goals against average (2.17) and third best save percentage (.932).

Binnington’s seven shutouts tied for a league-high and helped the Attack win their first-ever Dave Pinkney Trophy for allowing the fewest goals in the league (165).

The 6-2, 169-pound goaltender has spent the past four seasons with Owen Sound. He has an 86-51-14 record including a 2.90 GAA, .910 save percentage and nine shutouts. In 2011, he helped the Attack earn its first OHL Championship while also being named the top goaltender at the 2011 Memorial Cup.

The Gravenhurst, Ontario native was drafted by the Blues in the third round (88th overall) in the 2011 Entry Draft.

- - -

The Blues' probable lineup:

Jaden Schwartz-David Backes-Alexander Steen

Andy McDonald-Vladimir Sobotka-Chris Stewart

David Perron-Patrik Berglund-Vladimir Tarasenko

Adam Cracknell-Chris Porter-Ryan Reaves

Jay Bouwmeester-Alex Pietrangelo

Jordan Leopold-Kevin Shattenkirk

Kris Russell-Roman Polak

Brian Elliott will get the start in goal; Jaroslav Halak will come off injured-reserve and be the backup after missing 12 games with a groin injury.

Healthy scratches include Cole and defenseman Jani Hakanpaa, forwards Andrew Murray and Dmitrij Jaskin and goalie Jake Allen. Injuries players include Jackman (foot/ankle), T.J. Oshie (ankle), Jamie Langenbrunner (hip), Scott Nichol (lower-body soreness).

- - -

Calgary's probable lineup:

Mike Cammalleri-Matt Stajan-Lee Stempniak

Sven Baertschi-Mikael Backlund-Jiri Hudler

Paul Byron-Roman Horak-Roman Cervenka

Maxwell Reinhart-Blair Jones-Tim Jackman

Mark Giordano-Dennis Wideman

TJ Brodie-Mark Cundari

Chris Butler-Anton Babchuk

Joey MacDonald will get the start in goal; Miikka Kiprusoff will be the backup.

Healthy scratches include Carter Bancks, Ben Hanowski, Ben Street, Akim Aliu, Steve Begin, Blair Jones, Brett Carson, Brian McGrattan and Leland Irving. Injured players include Alex Tanguay (knee), Curtis Glencross (knee) and Derek Smith (knee).

(4-25-13) BLUES NOTEBOOK

Blues control own destiny for fourth; Halak healthy;

Russell to play; Blues-Wolves cement agreement

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues control heir own destiny. There's no other way one would want it.

The Blues needed two scenarios -- three if you include the Chicago Blackhawks -- to unfold for the race the fourth seed in the Western Conference and home ice advantage in, at least, the first round of the playoffs.

The Blues needed both the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks to lose (the Sharks could have gotten one point) for the Blues to have control of their fate.

The Detroit Red Wings obliged by downing the Kings 3-1 Wednesday, and the Phoenix Coyotes slipped past the Sharks 2-1 later in the night. Both teams have one game remaining -- against each other Saturday -- and lead the Blues (27-17-2) by one point (57-56) in the standings.

The Blues controlled their own fate Tuesday and promptly went out and dominated the Colorado Avalanche 3-1 in clinching a playoff berth. Now there's this little thing about home ice advantage.

"We've got a couple games here to push for home ice advantage," forward Alexander Steen said following Tuesday's win. "It's still within reach, so it's still a goal."

And as coach Ken Hitchcock said Wednesday after practice, what the Kings were able to do as an eighth seed en route to winning the Stanley Cup a season ago, don't fool yourself if that's something that's a common occurrence.

"I think it's real important. Highest seed is important," Hitchcock said. "Nothing against what Los Angeles did, they did a great task, but those are rare breeds to see come out of an eight seed, start on the road all the time and win. I think those don't happen very often.

"For me, which is great competition, I think every team legitimately feels that they can beat the other team that they're playing. You could end up with home ice and carrying a five or six seed, you never know."

If the Blues beat the Calgary Flames, who they will host tonight at 7 p.m. (FSN, KMOX 1120-AM), they will take sole possession of fourth place. To secure that spot, they can do so by 1) beating the Chicago Blackhawks in any form, or 2) earn a point against the Hawks and have San Jose beat Los Angeles in any form. The Blues and Sharks would be tied in points, but the Blues would own the tie-breaker based on more ROWS (regulation/overtime wins). A regulation loss tonight eliminates the Blues from any hopes of finishing fourth since either the Sharks or Kings will gain two points facing one another Saturday. Win tonight and Saturday against the Blackhawks, who clinched the Presidents' Trophy with a 4-1 win at Edmonton Wednesday and have a meaningless game here Saturday, the Blues will open the Stanley Cup Playoffs next week at home. 

"We've got two games to build some momentum for the playoffs," captain David Backes said. "It's a good feeling to be back there, but it's one little item checked off our list. We've got a lot more to go."

As for making the playoffs, it's old hat to Hitchcock.

"I said this last year, it feels normal for me," Hitchcock said. "I just expect (it), but I can tell you that this season was as challenging as any season I've ever coached in to manage the peaks and valleys of the season. We've had a number of peaks and valleys. This season has been very challenging on keeping a level head and getting guys through some very tough times. That's what I'm hoping is that the tough times that we've gone through are going to really help us because we're going to go through a bunch of them now. I feel like this season had a real opportunity to go south a few times and we gathered it back in and brought it back north again."

* Halak healthy -- To say it's been a frustrating abbreviated season for Jaroslav Halak would be understating things just a bit. The Blues' netminder has had his share of ups and downs on the ice but mostly off it.

A second groin injury has kept Halak (6-5-1 with a 2.14 goals-against average and .899 save percentage) shelved since injuring himself April 1 at Minnesota. Halak, who missed roughly three weeks in February for a similar injury in Detroit, deemed himself 100 percent -- or as close to it as he can be -- and ready to man the pipes again should the Blues need him over the final two regular season games and into the playoffs.

"It feels like it again," Halak said after practice Wednesday at Scottrade Center. "We'll see how far along but hopefully for the rest of the year. That was my story for the whole season so far.

"I feel great as far as conditioning. I've been working hard for the past two and a half weeks. I think there's no issue there. But there's always the game situations and playing the games. That's a different thing from practicing. I would be happy to play at least one game, but I know Ells (Brian Elliott) has been playing great for us. If he plays, I'm going to accept that and I'm going to be here when I get a chance and I'll be ready."

Halak was injured right at the end of the first period of that 4-1 win over the Wild. He said it wasn't the exact same area that affected him in Detroit but a little worse. Halak admitted he may have come back too soon following the first injury but rehabilitated more and took his time this go-around.

"I took my time. The first time I didn't take my time," he said. "I came back too early. That's what happens. This time, I just wanted to make sure it feels good in practices. When I get a chance to play the games, we'll see what happens there.

"It was almost similar to the same thing. In Detroit, I was still able to play. In Minnesota, I had to come off right away. Maybe a little bit worse. Everybody goes through adversity over the course of the season. I know it has been a short season. I'm sure it's not what I pictured before the season in my mind that the season will go like this, but here I am. It happened. It's behind me. Hopefully I can stay healthy and be ready for our guys."

Elliott will get the start against the Flames tonight, and it's likely that Halak will come off injured-reserve and serve as the backup, at least that's what Hitchcock plans on doing if Halak gives him the green light.

"It's his call," Hitchcock said. "Whether he's ready to back up to even think about before he even gets playing again ... our focus right now is on Elliott and (Jake) Allen and as soon as Jaro says he's ready to join in, obviously he'll take Jake's place. But right now, the focus is on Elliott and getting him up and ready for Calgary.

"It's kind of one day at a time with Jaro right now. He's (very) close, but I think until he feels comfortable, 100 percent where he feels like if he had to go in in case of an injury or something like that, he's got to feel comfortable he's able to do that and so far, he hasn't given us that sign. We're hoping for it in the next day or two but it's not there yet."

Halak said Wednesday he'd tell his coach he can play.

"I would tell him yes," Halak said of Hitchcock. "I would love to get game action. It's totally up to them whether to play me or not. Ells has been playing great and he deserves to play. We'll see what happens.

"In a perfect world, that would be ideal. If not, I'm going to try to be ready. If I get a chance or not, I'll be working hard. Hopefully I'll get back in."

With the Blues in a dogfight for the fourth seed in the Western Conference, playing the hot Elliott might be best suited instead of a rusty Halak.

"Points are so important, seeding's so important," Hitchcock said. "I think momentum is important. Brian's playing tomorrow and we'll just see on Saturday."

* Russell to play -- Defenseman Kris Russell, who arguably was playing his best hockey not only this season but in his short Blues career when he was cast as the seventh defenseman following the trades of Jordan Leopold and Jay Bouwmeester, will play tonight against Calgary.

Defenseman Barret Jackman is day to day, according to Hitchcock, after blocking a Gabriel Landeskog shot in the second period of Tuesday's win. Jackman will not play tonight and likely won't play in the regular season finale against the Blackhawks. He finished the second period against the Avalanche but was not on the bench or on the ice in the third period.

"Russell will play tomorrow. We'll give Jacks that day off and just read it," Hitchcock said Wednesday. "He's day to day. For him, Game 1 (of the playoffs) is critical. Making sure he's ready for Game 1 is going to be important.

"I don't think he needs any more games to play to be ready for it. He's not a guy that needs to be constantly on the ice to play. Right now, our focus to him moves to Game 1 of the playoffs."

Russell will slot back into the third defensive pairing with Roman Polak, a pairing that has been together before.

"Both him and Coley (Ian Cole) have been good soldiers for our team," Hitchcock said of Russell and Cole. "Ian's the other guy we'd like to get in and get a game in here, too. Those two guys have been great soldiers for us. They've had a great attitude. The players have loved them being around, especially Kris, who was a regular player. He gets first call. He deserves it. Him and Polak were a good pair, so I don't see any drop-off at all."

* Perron answers the call -- Blues winger David Perron was demoted to the fourth line at the start of Tuesday's game against Colorado. Perron, who has one goal in 20 games, was deemed to not have had his best game Sunday night in Denver against the Avalanche.

Perron didn't have any points Tuesday nor was directly involved in any shortcomings, but Hitchcock explained the temporary demotion to the fourth line with Adam Cracknell and Ryan Reaves.

"He didn't play very good. Pretty simple, you go backwards on a line, he didn't play very good," Hitchcock said. "He had a decision to make and he answered the bell. ... Can't just keep having meetings. It doesn't work that way. We're at a stage in the season where, 'What have you done for me lately?' I was very impressed with his response. It comes to this sometimes, but I was very impressed with his response."

Perron responded and finished with 17 minutes 17 seconds of ice time and got put back up with Patrik Berglund and Vladimir Tarasenko on the third line.

* Blues, Wolves consummate NHL-AHL agreement -- The Blues made it official Tuesday night with the announcement that they have reached a three-year affiliation agreement to make the Chicago Wolves their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.

The Wolves, who joined the AHL in 2001, play their home games at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois. In their 12-year AHL history, the club has never had a losing season and has qualified for the postseason eight times, appearing in the league championship final three times and winning the Calder Cup twice (2002, 2008).

The Wolves were formerly affiliated with the Atlanta Thrashers from 2001-2011 and Vancouver Canucks from 2011-2013, and prior to joining the AHL, the Wolves were members of the IHL from 1994 to 2000 and won the Turner Cup twice (1998, 2000).

"We're certainly excited to have (Wolves general manager) Wendell (Young) here and to announce our affiliation with the Chicago Wolves, who are a top American Hockey League franchise," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "To be associated with such a winning organization, it's going to be very beneficial for the Blues.

"... That's where this made it a no-brainer to affiliate with the Chicago Wolves and Wendell Young. Their reputation is second to none. There's a lot of synergies between the two organizations. When you're trying to acquire players that can certainly turn the wheel for Wendell's team and also help our team as depth, playing for the Wolves and playing for a city like Chicago I think is a good sell."

Young said it was a no-brainer to associate with the Blues, who end a lengthy partnership with the Peoria Rivermen, who they sold to the Vancouver Canucks, the Wolves' previous NHL partner.

"There was a view from Vancouver that they were going to move on and then Doug called and 100 percent I sat down with my owner, we had a conversation and it just went from there," Young said. "Just knowing the reputation of Doug and the management here and the organization and knowing that it's just a good fit for us. We knew what we wanted. It's easy for us to get in and out, I think it's easy to get players up and down and even if the team's on the road, we play right next to O'Hare airport, we can get players out very quick to a lot of locations.

"We've got (Ty) Rattie coming out, (Jordan) Binnington ... there's a bunch of guys. We've gone through the depth chart. That was one of the enticing things. They've got some great, young talent. I think that's the key to having a team in the American League to be good. Your young talent and your young draft picks have to be major contributors, and your vets and the call-up guys we call mutual depth guys are the guys that are the fillers and the glue. Your young guys have to be the main guys."

The Blues have taken a lot of heat in the Peoria area for leaving their market, which has had the Rivermen for 31 years but felt like this was the right decision.

"Certainly Peoria's a great hockey market and we've been there for a number of years, but our belief is from a hockey operations standpoint moving forward, the organization in Chicago, the ownership group in there, the facility that they play in, the practice facility is NHL-caliber," Armstrong said. "It seemed like the right time to make this move for us.

"The drive from Peoria to St. Louis is very good, but the travel schedule for our players to Peoria was very difficult. Not only for divisional games into Chicago and Milwaukee and Rockford, Grand Rapids, but you have to bus for three hours or take a flight is very taxing on the players. We think with the proximity of where the Wolves play and practice to O'Hare, it's going to be excellent not only for divisional travel but for league travel."

Blues clinch playoff berth with 3-1 win over Avalanche

Stewart, McDonald, Elliott lead charge to second straight postseason berth

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues had another opportunity to take matters into their own hands.

Forget about relying on outside help; the Blues took care of business and punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"We played more of a complete game," Blues wing Alexander Steen said after Tuesday's 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at Scottrade Center. "Throughout our full lineup, from goaltender out, I think we've been inconsistent in having everybody on the same page through the course of the year."

(St. Louis Blues photo)

The Blues celebrate with goalie Brian Elliott (top) after knocking off the

Colorado Avalanche 3-1 to clinch a spot in the postseason.



And the Blues did it with their power play, which at times has been abysmal lately, but Tuesday was successful twice in the same game for the first time in 32.

Chris Stewart got his 100th career goal, 100th career assist and 200th career point; Jordan Leopold added his first points since joining the Blues; and Brian Elliott redeemed himself by stopping 17 shots. The Blues lost 5-3 at Colorado Sunday, a game in which Elliott was pulled after allowing four goals on 19 shots.

"I think it's always better to control your own destiny," said Stewart, playing with a heavy heart on his mother Susan's birthday, who she passed away six years ago. "You never want to get in on someone else's account. I think it feels better when you control your own fate and that's what we did tonight.

"... It's always something I'll remember. She was always like, 'Score me a goal.' I had that in my mind tonight. It's a bit of an emotional day. It's been six years now [since her passing]. I'm glad my family got to watch tonight."

The Blues (27-17-2) also got a goal and an assist from Andy McDonald as they reached the postseason for the second straight year and remained in sixth place after the San Jose Sharks rallied past the Dallas Stars 3-2.

"You never want to get in on someone else's account," Stewart said. "I think it feels better when you can control your own fate. That's what we did tonight."

The Blues pulled within one point of the Los Angeles Kings for fourth place after the Kings lost 2-1 to the Minnesota Wild. The Blues, Kings and Sharks each have two games remaining.

"We grabbed it big-time today," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We played a great hockey game. We could have scored 10 goals today. We missed empty nets, we shot it over the net ... we played a hard, heavy hockey game. The way we defended is the way we need to play to defend. We occupied the offensive zone and killed the clock that way, and that's our game."

The Avalanche (15-24-7), who came in with the worst road record in the NHL, dropped to 3-16-4 away from Pepsi Center. Cody McLeod scored, and Semyon Varlamov stopped 31 shots and lost to the Blues for the first time in regulation in his career after going 4-0-1 with a 1.56 goals-against average and .956 save percentage in five previous starts.

Stewart, a former first-round pick of the Avalanche, deflected Leopold's left-point shot past Varlamov to give the Blues a 1-0 lead 11:19 into the game. Leopold, also a former member of the Avalanche, earned his first point with the Blues in his 13th game after arriving in a trade from the Buffalo Sabres.

Patrik Berglund's first goal in 10 games, on the power play, gave the Blues a 2-0 lead 2:55 into the second period when he was able to redirect Jay Bouwmeester's right-point one-timer.

"It's really important, especially on the power play," Berglund said. "We've been struggling there and it's really important to have the power play going when you go into the playoffs. I think that was a confidence boost for all of us."

McDonald added his sixth of the season at 5:13 when he skated in from the left side of the ice and tucked a shot under Varlamov's stick paddle for a 3-0 Blues lead.

McLeod scored his fifth goal in five games after getting three in his first 43. Off a delayed penalty, he took Paul Stastny's feed and snapped a shot from the left circle past Elliott with 4:47 left in the second to make it 3-1.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

Andy McDonald (10) had a goal and an assist in Tuesday's win over the

Colorado Avalanche.

Varlamov did make three stellar stops in the game. He kicked out Alexander Steen's breakaway attempt in the first period, gloved Vladimir Tarasenko's wrister from the slot late in the second, and thwarted McDonald early in the third with a glove save from the slot.

But the Blues won't rest on their laurels the final two games. They still have something to strive for. The remaining games Thursday at home against Calgary and Saturday at home against Chicago have meaning. And they will go into them on the heels of one of the more complete wins of the season.

"We've got a couple games here to push for home ice advantage," Steen said. "
We played more of a complete game. I think throughout our full lineup from goaltender out, I think we've been inconsistent in having everybody on the same page during the course of the year. We've had our power play disguise some of our problems in the beginning, and then our goalies ... I felt like tonight we took a big step. We played some playoff hockey and now we've got to continue. We've got two big games coming up."

The Blues did lose defenseman Barret Jackman in the game after blocking a shot midway through the game on Gabriel Landeskog. Hitchcock said Jackman should be fine but isn't sure whether he'll play against the Flames Thursday.
 
* NOTES -- The Blues made it official with the announcement that they have reached a three-year affiliation agreement to make the Chicago Wolves the Blues’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.

The Wolves, who joined the AHL in 2001, play their home games at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois. In their 12-year AHL history, the club has never had a losing season and has qualified for the postseason eight times, appearing in the league championship final three times and winning the Calder Cup twice (2002, 2008).

The Wolves were formerly affiliated with the Atlanta Thrashers from 2001-2011 and Vancouver Canucks from 2011-2013, and prior to joining the AHL, the Wolves were members of the IHL from 1994 to 2000 and won the Turner Cup twice (1998, 2000).

(4-23-13) Avalanche-Blues Gameday Lineup

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- After frittering away an opportunity to take matters into their own hands, the Blues get the same chance again tonight against the Colorado Avalanche.

The Blues (26-17-2), who fell 5-3 in Denver Sunday night and missed on a chance to clinch a playoff berth, will be faced with the same scenario after the Phoenix Coyotes failed to help the Blues Monday. A Coyotes win in regulation at Detroit would have clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs but the Red Wings won 4-0.

Now the Blues will attempt to take matters into their own hands once again against the pesky Avalanche (15-23-7), last in the Western Conference but who won both meetings against the Blues this season in Denver. It's just the way coach Ken Hitchcock wants it.

"We want to go in, as Hitch says, in the front door playing our best hockey," forward Chris Porter said. "We don't want to be handed a playoff spot. We've worked so hard all year to get to this position. We want to go out with the two points and clinch that spot."

The Blues sputtered in all facets Sunday against the Avs, playing a team with nothing to lose and just playing out the strong.

"We just need to play better," Hitchcock said. "We looked tired and we looked loose. We played a lot of hockey and we showed signs of it. We showed signs of it the previous two games and got away with it. But we looked like a lot of teams look like at this time of year. We made tired mistakes, we got away with it in the third period against Phoenix, we got away with it in the third period against Dallas, but we didn't get away with it in Colorado. Yesterday was a re-energized day. We're hoping we bring more energy today."

When asked about the playoffs, Hitchcock fired back, "I don't want to talk about playoffs. Let's get in. My focus is on tonight, period. Energy comes in different fashions. We had good focus and good energy today, so all I'm focusing on is tonight."

- - -

The Blues had a plethora of injured skaters on the ice Tuesday along with their regulars. T.J. Oshie, who had ankle surgery just six days ago, was the surprising one out there considering he was in a walking cast and on crutches at Thursday's home game.

Also, Jamie Langenbrunner (hip) continues to defy the odds and prep himself for a potential return should in the playoffs, Jaroslav Halak (groin) looks like he's at or near 100 percent and Scott Nichol (lower-body soreness) is also near game-shape.

For the veteran Langenbrunner, who was all but deemed to be out for the year, the fact he's skating is a serious indicator he's doing all he can to give the Blues another option should they make an extended playoff run.

"That's my goal and that's what I'm pushing for," Langenbrunner said after the morning skate. "Hopefully we stay healthy through the playoffs and push a long ways and all things are good. But I know how playoff runs go. You need some guys and I'm trying to be one of those guys getting ready to go.

"I knew it was a bit of a possibility. That's why I did (the surgery) when I did to give myself that opportunity but still knowing that it was a possibility that the season was over. I've been trying to work hard to get back. The hip feels better than it has in a long time. Now it's just trying to get the strength back around it and get used to skating again."

Langenbrunner, who will miss a 37th consecutive game tonight, has become a bit of an assistant coach watching from up above. He's learned one thing: "I learned how much I missed it when I'm not playing. I know that much. It's been hard being around and just watching and not practicing. I know I don't want to be on the other side of it yet.

"You get a different perspective watching it upstairs. The game's definitely a lot easier up there than when you're down on the ice. I've been able to see a few things and pass on some things that you see as far as little things. Hearing from coaches all the time gets old for players. Hearing it from a fellow player maybe adds a little bit more to it."

- - -

The Blues expect to have a bit of a different look when they take the ice tonight at 7 p.m. (FSN-Plus, Y-98 FM http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=667155).

The biggest change is David Perron, a regular on the team's top unit. He was skating on the fourth line with Adam Cracknell at center and Ryan Reaves on right wing.

Perron had a turnover that led to Colorado's third goal in the second period Tuesday near his net and has just one goal in 19 games.

"I respect the decision and I'll just go out and play hard tonight," Perron said. "Hopefully we can clinch tonight and go (in the playoffs in) the front door, and that's all I'll worry about. Nothing else."

"I'd rather not talk about it. It's about the team at this time of the year. Get the two points tonight and that's how it is, nothing else."

Hitchcock, whose morning skate presser was limited to three questions, said: "He's part of the 12 ... don't read anything into it."

The one that benefits is Porter, who will be elevated from fourth-line center to playing left wing with Patrik Berglund at center and Vladimir Tarasenko on right wing.

"It's been a good ride," Porter said. "I'm enjoying every minute of it. I'm just glad to be part of this team.

"Whatever they want me to do and help the team win, I'm more than happy to do. I'm going to take it and run with it."

Also, Jaden Schwartz, who stepped up to play with David Backes and Alexander Steen Sunday night, scoring a goal, gets the role with the top line from the get-go tonight.

"I try to do the things that got me here," Schwartz said. "I'm not going to change too much. I just want to work hard, get in on the forecheck, try to create havoc and get to the net. Backs and Steener are really good players that are easy to read off of. Getting open and feeding them the puck is pretty easy because they're just smart players. Work hard, stick to my game, be smart defensively, be reliable but make sure I'm creating offense for them, too."

- - -

The Blues recalled defenseman Jani Hakanpaa, the team's fourth round pick in 2010, from Peoria.

Hakanpaa, 20, played in 14 games with the Rivermen this season and had a goal and three assists. The 6-foot-5, 218-pound Kirkkonummi, Finland native was caught off-guard Sunday night after the Rivermen's final game of the season by the Blues' Director of Player Development Tim Taylor.

"I was stunned. Like No words. It felt unreal at first," Hakanpaa said. "I'm enjoying it, just trying to soak in everything, just trying to enjoy everything and learn from the guys ... learn all the information I can, just soak that in and use that to my advantage next year and going forward. It's been great.

"I was just trying to play hard in Peoria and try to help the team out there as much as I could and learn stuff from the older guys. I learned a lot from the older guys and it helped me out a lot."

Hakanpaa isn't expected to see any ice time, but training with the parent club might be good for his development. He joins Kris Russell and Ian Cole as extra defensemen.

"It was a good place to be," Hakanpaa said of his time in Peoria. "Everybody was really helpful. It helped me to get used to the North American style of hockey. There are still a lot of things I have to work on and get used to, but it was a good first step for me.

"The speed. Everything happens much quicker. The smaller ice rinks ... there's more battles. You have to battle more down low instead of like back home, the big rinks, it's more about containing, people keep it to the outside. Here, it's battling out in the corners. It's just a faster, more simple game than back home."

- - -

The Blues' probable lineup:

Jaden Schwartz-David Backes-Alexander Steen

Andy McDonald-Vladimir Sobotka-Chris Stewart

Chris Porter-Patrik Berglund-Vladimir Tarasenko

David Perron-Adam Cracknell-Ryan Reaves

Jay Bouwmeester-Alex Pietrangelo

Jordan Leopold-Kevin Shattenkirk

Barret Jackman-Roman Polak

Brian Elliott gets the start after being pulled from the game Sunday night; Jake Allen is the backup.

Healthy scratches include defensemen Russell, Cole and Hakanpaa as well as forwards Dmitrij Jaskin and Andrew Murray. Injured players -- who were all on the ice today -- include Oshie (ankle), Langenbrunner (hip), Halak (groin) and Nichol (lower-body soreness).

- - -

The Avalanche's probable lineup:

John Mitchell-Matt Duchene-PA Parenteau

Cody McLeod-Ryan O'Reilly-Gabriel Landeskog

Jamie McGinn-Paul Stastny-Milan Hejduk/Aaron Palushaj

Patrick Bordeleau-Chuck Kobasew-Tomas Vincour

Greg Zanon-Tyson Barrie

Jan Hejda-Stefan Elliott

Matt Hunwick-Shane O'Brien

Semyon Varlamov gets the start tonight; Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who played Sunday against the Blues, is the backup

Healthy scratches include forwards Hejduk or Palushaj, David Jones, Brad Malone and Mark Olver. Also scratched are goalie Calvin Pickard, and defenseman Sean Sullivan, who were recalled from Lake Erie of the AHL Tuesday morning. Vincour was also recalled Tuesday. Injuries include defensemen Erik Johnson (hand), and Ryan Wilson (ankle) as well as winger Steve Downie (knee).

Blues are winning again, doing do much like last season

Shutdown defense, timely goaltending key in 9-2-0 run

in April; expect lineup tweaks for Sunday's game at Colorado

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- Chris Stewart summed it up best when describing how the Blues have success.

"They're greasy, ugly hockey games," Stewart said. "It's going to be a different hero every night."

They may be ugly, they may be greasy. But the bottom line for the 26-16-2 Blues, who play their final regular season road game at Colorado Sunday at 7 p.m. (NBCSN, Y-98 FM), they're winning.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

Chris Stewart (left) scored his team-leading 17th goal Friday vs. Dallas.

The month of April has seen the Blues go 9-2-0 and allowing only 14 goals in 11 games. It's the sort of reminder of how this team was winning hockey games last season: low scoring, shutdown defensively and timely goaltending.

"I think chemistry's showing in our lineup," said Stewart, who leads the Blues with 17 goals after scoring in Friday's 2-1 win over Dallas. "... We're not going to be a team that scores five or six goals every night. We're comfortable with the way we play, confident with our goaltending. It's obviously nice to get three or four goals every night, but I think we'll be happy to take the two (points)."

The Blues have been taking the two lately, grabbing 18 of a possible 22 points in April. They've thrust themselves firmly into the playoff chase and can clinch a berth with one point Sunday night or 1) if San Jose defeats Columbus (regulation, overtime or shootout) and 2) if Los Angeles defeats Dallas in regulation. But without all the calculated math, win and the Blues are in.

There were certainly peaks and valleys in this abbreviated season, but the Blues seem to be catching on at the right time ... with the playoffs right around the corner.

"I think a few teams peaked a little early," said Ryan Reaves, who scored his third career game-winner Friday. "I think we kind of went through that rough period every team goes through. Now we're kind of gettng our groove, kind of peaking and realizing what it takes to play and be a playoff team."

"We're not easy to play against in our own end, so you're not going to get any free looks and not very many quality chances," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said.

Earlier in the season when the Blues had obvious holes on the backend and in goal, it was the kind of detriment that was a threat of pushing the Blues right out of the playoff race.

That ship's been righted because, "I think we've done a great job stopping around our net," defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk

"The goals are going to come. We're doing the right things to create goals. I think you're more happy with offensive worries going into this time of year than you are defensively. I think we're happy with letting up one goal a game, maybe two. We know we can put some pucks in the net as well."

The Blues have played 11 games in 19 days this month, and according to Hitchcock, they'll need to make a couple lineup changes just to get some fresh bodies in. Look for a couple to be inserted into the lineup Sunday night.

"I think the last two days our forwards have looked really tired," Hitchcock said. "We've had no spacing, no real jump to get open. We've got people in the third period taking 15-second shifts. We've got a week to keep winning hockey games and find a way to re-energize ourselves, especially up front.

"I think it would be really smart if we brought some new energy into the team in Colorado. We've got fresh legs and hungry guys and I think it would be really smart if we brought some of those guys in the lineup and got them playing."

Dmitrij Jaskin, who made his National Hockey League debut Tuesday, will slip into the lineup Sunday. Also, Hitchcock was looking at perhaps putting Kris Russell to as well, but Jaskin for Adam Cracknell will be the only lineup change Sunday night.

"I'm talking one or two guys for a couple of games here just to re-energize this thing," Hitchcock said. "We'll figure it out and see if we can come up with some ideas to give us a little bit better jump.

"... We've got a couple of great players to add into that. Russell can more than do this job, too, so to me he's got to come in and play a little here and help us."

The Blues will play a home-and-home set with the Avalanche, with a return game Tuesday at Scottrade Center. They wrap up with home games Thursday against Calgary and next Saturday against Chicago.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

Alexander Steen (20) snaps a shot past the Stars' Alex Goligoski in

Friday's 2-1 win at Scottrade Center.

"I think we've got to find new energy," Hitchcock said. "Some other people have got to get in and contribute for us here. We've got some guys with real foot speed, some guys that are really hungry to play. I think if we just keep trotting this out we're going to go sideways or backwards.

"We've run the well dry, the guys have done a really good job, but some guys are going to need a rest. A couple of guys are going to need a little bit of a break here. Take a game off, get some new energy in there and see if we can re-energize up front. We've got to find a way to create more, win more dots to board battles in the offensive zone. When you see a guy like (Jaden) Schwartz being able to do it, he's been tremendous the last two games, we need more of them like that, we need more compete."

"You've got to keep going, you can't pick and choose which games you want to be in, or else you'll create bad habits," defenseman Barret Jackman said. "We want to keep going."