BLUES VS. RED WINGS
When: Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.
Where: Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO
Watch: Bally Sports Midwest, Bally Sports app
Listen: 101 ESPN, NHL App
Tickets: Online at ticketmaster.com
TEAM SNAPSHOTS
BLUES Despite playing without David Perron, Robert Thomas, Tyler Bozak, Justin Faulk, James Neal, Klim Kostin and Jordan Binnington due to injuries and COVID-19 protocols, the St. Louis Blues found themselves deadlocked in a 3-3 game with the League-leading Florida Panthers on Tuesday night at Enterprise Center.
Then, on one play in the the third period, goalie Ville Husso and defenseman Jake Walman sustained injuries to leave the Blues even more shorthanded.
Goalie Charlie Lindgren came in off the bench, seeing his first NHL action in almost two calendar years, made three saves before Pavel Buchnevich scored a wraparound overtime game-winner, helping the Blues to three of a possible four points in a home-and-home set with the Panthers.
In addition to three players on the Blues’ COVID-19 list, the team’s AHL affiliate – the Springfield Thunderbirds – has 13 people (coaches, trainers and players) on the COVID list, which really limits the Blues’ options.
The team did recall forward Nathan Walker on Wednesday under emergency conditions.
“We’re working through it, trying to do the best we can to put a product on the ice that is competitive,” said Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong. “I tip my hat to the guys for what they did (Tuesday) against a very good Florida team.”
With Binnington out until next week and Husso being evaluated for a lower-body injury, Lindgren is likely to start for the Blues on Thursday against the Red Wings. The team signed Jon Gillies to a one-year, two-way contract on Wednesday. Gillies is expected to serve as the backup.
RED WINGS The Detroit Red Wings were limited to just 16 shots on goal on Tuesday night in a 5-2 loss against the Nashville Predators at Little Caesars Arena.
The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for Detroit. The streak began with a 4-2 win against the Blues on Nov. 24.
“I didn’t think we were ready to play hard and compete at a high level tonight,” Red Wings Head Coach Jeff Blashill said after the game. “(Nashville) wanted those two points more than we did.”
The Red Wings currently sit in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a 13-10-3 record (29 points).
HEAD-TO-HEAD The Blues and Red Wings will meet Thursday for the 288th time in the regular season.
The Blues have collected points in five straight games against Detroit at Enterprise Center (2-0-3).
Brayden Schenn has 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 20 career games against the Red Wings.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BLUES Ivan Barbashev, who has 17 points in 25 games this season. Barbashev’s career high in points was 26, which he set in both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
RED WINGS Lucas Raymond, who is playing in his first NHL season. The 19-year-old forward leads Detroit with 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in 25 games this season.
BLUE NOTES
The Blues have won five straight games at home, their longest stretch since Feb. 18-29, 2020. During that stretch, the team is averaging 4.40 goals per game… St. Louis has won eight games this season when giving up the first goal, which is the most in the League… The Blues have lost only one game in regulation when keeping the opponents’ power play scoreless (9-1-4).
