Oilers at Blues
THE STORY: The spirit of St. Louis is certainly a happy
one these days. While the euphoria from the Cardinals winning the World
Series may have run its course, the Blues are whipping the city back
into a frenzy with their recent play. St. Louis has posted a 21-5-6 mark
under Ken Hitchcock's watch to stake its claim as one of the leaders in
the Western Conference. One of the reasons for the Blues' success as
been their stellar play in the Gateway City. St. Louis has set a
franchise record by collecting points in 13 straight home games (11-0-2)
and is 19-3-3 mark at Scottrade Center this season. "The fans are
really behind us now. It's fun to be out in St. Louis now," defenseman
Barret Jackman said. "People are talking hockey. It's a great feeling."
That feeling is likely to continue on Thursday when the reeling Edmonton
Oilers pay a visit. Coach Tom Renney's club has struggled on the road
this season, winning just six of 24 games (6-17-1).
TV: 8 p.m. ET, RSW, FSMW
ABOUT THE OILERS (17-24-4): Talk about your bad omens.
Top overall pick Taylor Hall suffered a deep laceration during pregame
warmups on Tuesday, requiring 30 stitches to stop the bleeding above his
eyebrow. Unfortunately for Edmonton, its troubles aren't as easy to sew
up. The Oilers fell for the ninth time in 11 games when they dropped a
4-2 decision to the NHL's cellar-dwelling Columbus Blue Jackets. As for
Hall, he did not attend practice on Wednesday and is considered doubtful to
face the Blues.
ABOUT THE BLUES (27-12-6): G Jaroslav Halak posted his
second shutout in three games to make RW T.J. Oshie's third-period goal
stand up in Monday's 1-0 triumph over the Dallas Stars. Halak has won
five in a row and is 9-0-3 in his last 12 games. The netminder has fared
well versus Edmonton, posting a 3-1-1 career mark and even shutting out
the Oilers by stopping a measly 12 shots on March 24. Oshie's 14th
tally of the season leveled him with captain C David Backes for the team
lead.
OVERTIME:
1. Blues D Alex Pietrangelo collected a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win
over the Oilers on Jan. 5. That contest accounted for the second of his
career-high seven-game point streak. He has two goals and eight assists
in that stretch.
2. Dave Checketts, who owns both the Blues and Real Salt Lake of MLS,
was hired as chief executive officer of Legends Hospitality Management,
the company owned by the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys and Goldman
Sachs.