TEAM SNAPSHOTS
BLUES The St. Louis Blues fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins in overtime on Saturday, their fifth consecutive loss in a difficult stretch of play. Justin Faulk scored a big goal with less than three minutes remaining in regulation and Jordan Binnington made an impressive 45 saves, marking what the Blues felt was a better effort than their previous game.
“Yeah,” answered Binnington when asked if he felt that Saturday’s game was a step in the right direction. “It’s just playing for each other, knowing your motivation and just bringing it every night.”
General Manager Doug Armstrong continued his busy month over the weekend, trading Ivan Barbashev to the Vegas Golden Knights for prospect Zach Dean. In a move made just before Saturday’s game, Armstrong also claimed forward Kasperi Kapanen from Pittsburgh. Kapanen recorded a hat trick against the Blues earlier this year and is expected to make his debut – wearing David Backes’ former No. 42 – in Tuesday’s game.
The Blues wrap up their Feburary slate with their third straight home game – playing seven out of nine games this month at Enterprise Center.
They’ll face the Kraken with a record of 26-28-5, worth 57 points and sixth in the Central Division.
KRAKEN Thanks to a seven-game win streak to start out the New Year, the Seattle Kraken have found themselve in the hunt for a playoff spot in their second season as an NHL franchise.
Currently holding the second Western Conference Wild Card spot, the Kraken are four points up on Calgary and two points back from Edmonton – with a game in hand over both Pacific Division opponents.
They will have to reset their momentum after a three-game losing streak last week, though. Seattle fell in a shutout to the Sharks, a tight battle with Boston and a tough 5-1 loss to Toronto entering Tuesday’s game in St. Louis.
Vince Dunn struck first for Seattle in Sunday’s tilt with the Maple Leafs, but the lead was quickly erased as Mitch Marner’s three points led the way for a loss at Climate Pledge Arena.
With Friday’s Trade Deadline looming, Seattle could be in the market for another contributor to try and solidify their first playoff appearance in franchise history.
They’ll visit Enterprise Center with a record of 32-21-6, worth 70 points and fourth in the Pacific Division.
HEAD-TO-HEAD The Blues are 1-1-0 against the Kraken this season, winning early on and falling on Dec. 20, with both matchups taking place at Climate Pledge Arena. As Tuesday wraps up the season series, the Blues are 4-1 in their five total matchups with the NHL’s newest club.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BLUES Justin Faulk, who led the Blues with two points on Saturday. Faulk buried the overtime game winner in Seattle early this year and has four points in his last four games.
KRAKEN Vince Dunn, former Blue and currently No. 2 on the Kraken with a career-high 43 points this season. Tuesday will be Dunn’s third game back in St. Louis since heading to Seattle in the 2021 Expansion Draft.
BLUE NOTES
Tuesday’s game will feature special warm-up jerseys as the Blues continue to Celebrate Black History. The sweaters were designed by Central Visual and Performing Arts High School student Zariah Taylor and will be available via auction to benefit the school and Blues for Kids. Taylor will also sing the national anthem prior to the game… The Blues won both home games against Seattle last season, outscoring them 6-2 in those two games… The Blues are 12-for-12 on the penalty kill all-time against the Kraken… 11 of the Blues’ 15 games in March will come against Central Division opponents… Zach Dean, acquired by the Blues in the Ivan Barbashev trade on Sunday, joins Zachary Bolduc as Blues prospects from the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft (selected No. 30 overall by Vegas).
