Rangers at Blues
THE STORY: The New York Rangers will attempt to extend their road winning streak to five games against the NHL's hottest goaltender Thursday when they take on Brian Elliott and the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center. New York has lost three of its last five games overall but has won four straight away from home. The Rangers will be hard-pressed to post their 15th win in 20 contests as they face Elliott, who leads the league in goals-against average (1.45), save percentage (.947) and shutouts (four). The netminder has allowed more than two goals only once in 15 appearances this season, including one relief appearance. St. Louis, which has won seven of nine overall, is 3-1-0 on its five-game homestand and 6-1-3 in its last 10 overall meetings with New York.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)
ABOUT THE RANGERS (17-7-4): New York is beginning a three-game road trip that continues Saturday in Phoenix and concludes at New Jersey on Tuesday. Getting away from home could be exactly what the club needs as it has gone 1-2-1 in its last four at Madison Square Garden. With Marc Staal and Michael Sauer both out with concussions, the Rangers added depth on the blue line Wednesday by recalling Tim Erixon from Connecticut of the American Hockey League. The 21-year-old New York native registered a minus-2 rating without notching a point in nine games with New York earlier this season.
ABOUT THE BLUES (17-9-3): St. Louis has been a force at home this season as it has gone 11-3-1. The Blues have won 11 of their last 13 contests against the Atlantic Division and 22 of 30 versus the Eastern Conference. Vladimir Sobotka was placed on injured reserve Tuesday after suffering a left ankle injury during practice a day earlier. The 24-year-old, who has recorded two goals and eight assists in 27 games, will be re-evaluated in two weeks. To replace Sobotka on the roster, St. Louis recalled Evgeny Grachev from Peoria of the AHL. The 21-year-old Russian appeared in 17 contests with the Blues
earlier this season, registering two assists.
OVERTIME:
1. New York has lost eight of its last 11 games against Central Division opponents.
2. The Blues have excelled under new coach Ken Hitchcock, going 11-2-3 since he replaced Davis Payne on Nov. 6.