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 It should hardly be a secret, however, about what Schwartz's
return from a broken right foot has meant to the recent success of
the St. Louis Blues.
The Blues' 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche Monday night improved
their record to 7-0-1 in the eight games since Schwartz came back
after the team had lost six of seven games, including an overtime
loss, while he was injured.
Once again it was Schwartz leading the way with a goal and an
assist. His power-play goal 32 seconds into the second period
snapped a 1-1 tie and sent the Blues to the win, which allowed them
to close out their pre-All Star game schedule.
"We finished off the right way for sure," Schwartz said. "This is
probably as good as it gets. We are playing really well, a good team
game right now and it seems like we have a different hero every
night. They are fun games to play in and it's definitely a good
feeling going into the break."
Schwartz does not want to be singled out for his role in the team's
success, despite the fact that the Blues have gone 28-8-7 when he
has played this year and 1-5-1 when he has been out of the lineup.
"I don't think into it really," he said. "I just approach each game
the same, make sure I am ready to go. You win and lose as a team but
obviously when I am in I want to be doing my job and my part."
Defenseman Barret Jackman thinks Schwartz, who now has 16 goals and
21 assists in 39 games, is being too modest.
"He really rounds out our lineup," Jackman said. "His work ethic and
his skill set is unbelievable. He's a really underrated player. He's
a very valuable part of our team that maybe goes a little more
unnoticed than most guys."
Schwartz's goal was followed by a goal by right winger T.J. Oshie in
what coach Ken Hitchcock thought was the Blues' best period of the
season, outshooting Colorado 14-5.
Left winger Alexander Steen earned assists on both of those goals,
extending his consecutive scoring streak to 10 games.
It would be easy to think the break might be coming at a bad time
for the Blues considering how well they have been playing but
Hitchcock disagrees.
"I thought our players did a really good job of keeping their focus
these last two games," Hitchcock said. "They really worked hard. I
think there are a lot of really good lessons we've learned about
keeping our focus and keeping our energy pointed in the right
direction. It's leading to wins and lots of scoring.
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"For us to win, we have to pour a lot into it, a lot of physical
labor has to go into the way we play. We need a break. What we do
out of the break is going to be important because we play nine games
in 15 days against significant opponents. We know the games are
going to be important. We'll get re-focused."
The Avalanche have one more game to play before their break begins,
and coach Patrick Roy is hoping for better results than they got
against the Blues.
"The second period was the difference maker in the game," Roy said.
"I'd say they were probably the better team at the competition
level. We knew it would be a good test, a good challenge, and I'll
give them (the Blues) credit. They played a good game."
The Blues limited the Avalanche to just 18 shots on goal and their
only goal came on a shot by center Matt Duchene that deflected off
the skate of Blues center Paul Stastny.
"They're a good team," said right winger Jarome Iginla. "They
outplayed us, there's no question. Once they get the lead, they're a
good defensive club and they're playing well right now."
NOTES: The Blues are expected to address the future of G Martin
Brodeur at some point during the All-Star break. His one-week leave
of absence expired Monday. ... After being a healthy scratch for the
previous two games, RW Dmitrij Jaskin returned to the Blues' lineup
in place of LW Joakim Lindstrom. ... D Zach Redmond was the only
healthy scratch for the Avalanche. ... Monday night's game was the
fifth and final game of the season between St. Louis and Colorado
and closed out a five-game trip for the Avalanche, who have one game
remaining, at home Wednesday against the visiting Boston Bruins,
before their break. ... The Blues don't play again until Jan. 29,
when they host the Nashville Predators.
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