Blues Shutout Linkopings HC, 6-0

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The Blues won their preseason finale today in Linkoping, Sweden by a score of 6-0. Left winger Paul Kariya scored twice while Swedish natives Patrik Berglund and Alex Steen also tallied. David Perron put the Blues on the board just 1:48 into the opening period. Defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo offered some offense from the blueline, scoring against Linkopings HC, as well.

Chris Mason started in nets for the Note and played all of the first period before giving way to Ty Conklin in the second. Ben Bishop saw playing time in the third before completing the combined shutout. The Blues wrap the exhibition slate with back-to-back blanks after beating the Stars Saturday night, 5-0, in Dallas.

Andy Murray's team will now practice the next two days before meeting Detroit in Stockholm on Friday afternoon (2:00 CST) in a regular season opener for both teams. The Blues and Red Wings will also meet at 2:00 (CST) on Saturday afternoon before returning to North America.

The team still must make one more roster move by October 1st to get to the 23-man limit. Bishop does not count against the teams limit until it returns from overseas. At that point he'll likely be sent back to Peoria and split time with fellow netminder Hannu Toivonen for the Rivermen.

Who will the last cut be? Assuming no one hits injured reserve (in addition to defenseman Eric Brewer and winger D-J King) this week, the decision likely is between forward Derek Armstrong and blueliner Tyson Strachan.

I think Armstrong may be more deserving to stay but believe he'll likely go to Peoria as Strachan would be easier to ocasionally insert into the lineup among the eight healthy defensemen currently with the team. The Note's top 12 forwards are so cemented it's going to take some creativity, assuming health, for Murray to find playing time for winger Cam Janssen.

TPC