Blues at Blue Jackets
THE STORY: The league-leading St. Louis Blues kick off their season-high seven-game road trip Sunday as they conclude a home-and-home series with the Blue Jackets in Columbus. St. Louis extended its winning streak to four games and moved three points ahead of Vancouver in the race for the Presidents' Trophy with a home triumph over Columbus on Saturday. The Blues, who have won five of six on the road, have yielded just one goal in each game during their winning streak. Saturday's setback ended a season-high four-game winning streak for the Blue Jackets, who have captured two straight at home.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), FSN Ohio (Columbus)
ABOUT THE BLUES (44-18-7): Jaroslav Halak is expected to get the start Sunday. The 26-year-old has won a career high-tying seven straight games, with his last loss coming at Nationwide Arena on Feb. 14. Halak is second in the league with a 1.86 goals-against average, trailing only teammate Brian Elliott (1.61). Andy McDonald continued his offensive tear Saturday with a pair of assists. McDonald has collected six points in his last four games and 10, including five goals, over eight contests.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (22-39-7): Dane Byers was recalled from Springfield of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis Saturday and was in the lineup for the loss at St. Louis. The 26-year-old left wing, who appeared in five games with Columbus earlier this season, registered two shots on goal and engaged in a fight with B.J. Crombeen. Cam Atkinson scored the team's lone goal Saturday. It was the rookie's second tally in 13 NHL contests and first since Oct. 10 against Vancouver.
OVERTIME:
1. The Blues lead the league with a franchise record-tying 29 home victories but are just 15-14-3 on the road.
2. Columbus has lost six of its last seven meetings with St. Louis.
3. The Blues are 36-0-0 when scoring at least three goals.