Blues Resume Series With Coyotes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replying the story in its archived form does not constitute a re-publiccation of the story.

The Blues continue a six-game homestand tonight against a Phoenix team that has already beat them twice this season. Opening puckdrop is 7:00 as Andy Murray's team tries to even its record to 2-2 on the current stint at home.

The Coyotes beat the Blues 3-2 in Phoenix back on october 15th before shutting them out at Scottrade Center, 2-0, on October 29th. Starting netminder Ilya Bryzgalov was in goal for both Coyote victories but may give way to backup Jason Labarbera. Bryzgalov backstopped a 3-2 win last night in Minnesota.

The Blues' two goals in the series opener came from Paul Kariya and David Backes...two forwards that need to bust out of droughts to get their team back on track. Kariya hasn't scored a goal in 11 games and has gone pointless in his last 10. Backes hasn't found the back of the net in 13 games and only has one assist in his last 12.

Backes and Kariya aren't the only Blues overdue for offensive production. Keith Tkachuk has gone seven games without a point and twice as many without a goal. Patrik Berglund, expected to play on the "Stopper" line tonight with Jay McClement and B-J Crombeen, has now gone 12 games without a goal and eight tilts without a point.

The Blues 41 goals this season is the lowest for any NHL club this season. Their power play got more chances Saturday night but went 0-for-6 and the unit is now ranked 27th in the league. The penalty killing, however, has gotten closer to where it was last season and is currently ranked sixth after finishing third in '08-'09.

Don't blame the Blues goaltending for their 6-8-4 start. Their combined 2.51 goals-against-average is the 8th lowest in the NHL. The Blues have scored two or fewer goals in 12 of their first 18 games this season.

Defensively rookie Alex Pietrangelo will play his ninth game of the season this evening. The note afterwards can still send him back to juniors for the remainder of the year but not once he plays his 10th. Fellow blueliners Darryl Sydor and Mike Weaver will be scratched.

TPC