Blues at Canucks
THE STORY: The St. Louis Blues try to continue their dominance over the Pacific Division when they visit the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. St. Louis, which is 2-1-1 on its seven-game road trip, has won 10 of its last 11 meetings with teams from the Pacific. The Blues have struggled in Anaheim, however, going 2-14-1 in their last 17 visits. The Ducks begin a three-game set at the Honda Center, where they've won 12 of 17.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), Prime Ticket (Anaheim)
ABOUT THE BLUES (46-19-8): Captain David Backes could miss Wednesday's game after suffering a bruised foot in Saturday's playoff-clinching win at Tampa Bay. Jaroslav Halak is 9-0-1 over his last 10 starts. The netminder has allowed more than two goals only twice in his last 15 outings. Jaden Schwartz had quite the NHL debut on Saturday, scoring a power-play goal that turned out to be the game-winner. The 19-year-old Schwartz was selected 14th overall in the 2010 draft.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (31-32-11): Coach Bruce Boudreau must decide whether to give Jonas Hiller another well-deserved rest or put him back in net against the league-leading Blues. Hiller started a franchise-record 32 straight contests before Jeff Deslauriers spelled him Monday against San Jose. Boudreau was pleased with the newly formed line of Bobby Ryan, Nick Bonino and Kyle Palmieri, which registered two goals and six assists in Monday's win over San Jose. Bobby is the gunner, the veteran out there," he said. "Bonino is a really good setup man and Palmieri's got a tremendous shot and a nose for the net."
OVERTIME:
1. Anaheim has lost 16 of its last 21 contests against Central Division opponents.
2. The Blues, who have nine games remaining, are five wins away from matching the franchise record of 51 set in 1999-2000.