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Tarasenko, who scored and set up a goal in
Saturday's 6-4 triumph over Toronto, gashed New Jersey for six
points (one goal, five assists) in St. Louis' two-game season
sweep in 2016-17. The Russian has 16 points this season to
reside behind fellow 25-year-old Jaden Schwartz, who set up
three goals against the Maple Leafs as the Central
Division-leading Blues improved to 7-1-1 in their last nine
games. New Jersey is looking to bounce back in the opener of its
three-game homestand after dropping consecutive contests for the
first time this season to conclude its three-game trek through
Western Canada. Taylor Hall scored in both setbacks against the
Alberta representatives to extend his point streak to five games
(four goals, four assists) while increasing his point total to
13 (four goals, nine assists) in his last eight.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), MSG Plus 2 (New Jersey)
ABOUT THE BLUES (11-3-1): Captain Alex Pietrangelo scored twice
against Toronto and has inserted his name in the admittedly
ultra-early Norris Trophy conversation with 15 points (six
goals, nine assists) in as many contests this season. The
27-year-old made his presence felt versus New Jersey last
season, scoring and setting up a goal, and has six points (two
goals, four assists) and averages 19:23 of ice time in 10 career
encounters. Jake Allen is looking to rebound after allowing four
goals in his last outing, but enters Tuesday's tilt with just a
2-2-1 mark and 3.11 goals-against average on the road.
ABOUT THE DEVILS (9-3-1): Journeyman Brian Gibbons scored his
team-leading and career-high seventh goal - and fourth in five
games - in Sunday's 5-4 shootout loss to Calgary. The
29-year-old netted just five career tallies prior to this season
and in some circles made the roster somewhat surprisingly out of
training camp. Fellow forward Adam Henrique's position was
secure, but the 27-year-old has been held off the scoresheet in
each of the last three games and limited to just three goals
this season after erupting for a career-best 30 in 2015-16 and
scoring 20 last season.
OVERTIME
1. New Jersey G Cory Schneider has permitted at least three
goals in six of his last seven outings and owns a 3-5-1 career
mark versus St. Louis.
2. The Blues have thwarted 12 of their last 13 short-handed
situations in the last six games after being gouged for seven
power-play goals in the previous five.
3. Devils rookie C Nico Hischier, who was the top overall pick
of the 2017 draft, has collected nine points (two goals, seven
assists) in his past nine games.
PREDICTION: Devils 3, Blues 2
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