Blues Wrap Trip In Steeltown

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The Blues finish what could be a very successful road trip tonight in Pittsburgh following a three-point start in two games. Andy Murray's club shutout the Ducks, 5-0, Saturday evening in Anaheim to snap a three-game losing streak. The victory also jump started a slumping power play that had been 0-10 in its last three games.

The Note was 2-for-6 on the man-advantage as forward Patrik Berglund and defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo each scored power play goals, helping to support netminder Ty Conklin's first shutout with St. Louis.

The Blues rank 10th in the NHL's overall power play rankings, having converted six-of-25 opportunities at a rate of 24-percent. The penalty kill is getting better, too, having stopped 22-of-25 chances against for a rating of 81.5-percent and the 12th ranking overall.

The PK is truly playing shorthanded as two of it's key coggs, winger Alex Steen and blueliner Barret Jackman are out with injuries. Steen will miss 6-8 weeks with a fractured right wrist. Jackman will miss at least one more game with a sprained ankle and has been on IR for over a week.

The opposing Penguins are 7-and-1 after winning five-straight but have not been superior on the power play. The Pens are 21st in the league after converting just six-of-35 chances (17.1 percent rating). Pittsburgh's penalty kill is 11th having stopped all but seven of 43 power play opportunities against (ranks second most behind the Rangers' 49). Thus the Blues may have a number of chances to further develop an improving man-advantage at Mellon Arena.

The Blues are 3-2-1 overall for seven points...three back of the final playoff spot (I know it's early, but this is where things currently stand) in the West. The Pens have 14 points for the top spot in the East.

Following tonight, the Note will return home for games, Friday and Saturday night against Minnesota and Dallas, respectively, in a pair of 7:00 starts at Scottrade Center.

TPC