Coyotes at Blues
THE STORY: The St. Louis Blues attempt to get their offense
in gear when they host the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday. St. Louis enters
with a season-high three-game losing streak during which it has scored a
total of three goals. Beginning a stretch that sees them playing eight
of nine contests at home could be just what the Blues need as they are
6-0-1 in their last seven at Scottrade Center. Phoenix, which is 1-1-0
on its four-game road trip, is in the midst of a string of seven of
eight contests away from home.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), FS Midwest (St. Louis)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (19-16-4): Phoenix will be without left wing Raffi
Torres, who was handed a two-game suspension for hitting Minnesota
defenseman Nate Prosser from behind in Saturday's 4-2 victory over the
Wild. Torres, who was fined $2,500 prior to the win for a hit on
Colorado's Jan Hejda two days earlier, will be forfeiting $42,682.93 for
his latest infraction. He will be eligible to return Saturday against
the New York Islanders.
ABOUT THE BLUES (21-12-5): St. Louis' blue line took another
hit as Ian Cole was suspended three games for an illegal hit to the head
of Detroit's Justin Abdelkader during Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Red
Wings. The Blues already are without defensemen Kris Russell and Kent
Huskins because of injury. Cole is eligible to return Jan. 10 against
the Montreal Canadiens. To help fill the void, St. Louis recalled Cade
Fairchild from Peoria of the AHL. The 22-year old Fairchild made his NHL
debut in a 2-1 victory at Washington on Nov. 29.
OVERTIME:
1. St. Louis is 0-5 with one goal scored in shootouts this season.
2. The Blues, who are 15-5-5 under Ken Hitchcock, have won four straight against Pacific Division opponents.