Preview: Red Wings at Blues
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[October 27, 2016]
The Detroit Red Wings have
picked up the pace with five straight victories overall and will vie
for their fifth consecutive win in the Gateway City on Thursday when
they visit the St. Louis Blues. Second-year star Dylan Larkin scored
his first two goals of the season in a 4-2 triumph over Carolina on
Tuesday and tallied in a 4-3 victory over St. Louis on Nov. 21.
"We have to keep going and we can't take the foot of the gas," the
20-year-old Larkin told the Detroit News. "We have a big test on the
road in St. Louis, a good team, especially at home. We have to do
the right things that have made us successful in the last five
games." Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo has seen his team drop three
of four (1-2-1) on the heels of a listless performance in a 4-1
setback to Calgary on Tuesday -- at Scottrade Center, no less. "We
used to be one of the best teams," Pietrangelo said of St. Louis,
which has been outscored 8-7 at home this season. "We were almost
unbeatable at home a few years ago (30-6-5, in 2011-12). We've got
to find a way to reverse that trend, we've got to use that home ice
advantage."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, FSN Midwest (St. Louis)
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (5-2-0): Steve Ott won't have to introduce
himself to many of the Blues, but the rugged forward likely will do
so in his own bruising way. "It's always awkward playing your old
team that first time," said the 34-year-old Ott, who spent parts of
three seasons with St. Louis before signing a one-year, $800,000
deal with Detroit in the summer. "I think everybody on that team
knows how I play and would be disappointed if I didn't play that
way." Fellow offseason acquisition Thomas Vanek recorded his team
high-tying fourth goal and eighth point on Tuesday after mustering
just 18 and 41, respectively, in 74 games in 2015-16.
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ABOUT THE BLUES (4-2-1): Jori Lehtera (concussion) practiced with
his team on Wednesday and could return from a four-game absence,
although coach Ken Hitchcock wasn't ready to pencil the center into
the lineup just yet. "I think it's all that protocol stuff that goes
on," Hitchcock said. "... We'll get the word first thing in the
morning though. He looked really good though." Hitchcock was also
uncertain on which position Lehtera would play, as Jaden Schwartz
has flourished at center with superstar Vladimir Tarasenko on right
wing.
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OVERTIME
1. St. Louis D Kevin Shattenkirk has totaled a goal and an assist in
his last two games, but also owns a minus-4 rating in that stretch.
2. Detroit LW Justin Abdelkader is considered day-to-day by coach
Jeff Blashill despite missing the last two contests with a
lower-body injury.
3. The Blues have thwarted 18 of 19 short-handed chances in their
last six games.
PREDICTION: Blues 3, Red Wings 1
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