Following back-to-back losses in which the team coughed up a lead in the third period, with both being at home inside the Scottrade Center, the Blues have dropped to third place in the Central division and went from just four points behind Chicago for first, to now 10 points out and also falling behind the Minnesota Wild for second place. They dropped their game against the Blackhawks on Saturday after they led 4-3 heading in to the final period, before giving up three goals and losing 6-4. Then, in last night's contest against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, they got off to a fast start and led 2-1 from the first period on before giving up a goal mid-way through the third to tie it and ultimately losing in overtime.
Heading in to tonight's game against the Stars, Vladimir Tarasenko and the boys have dropped four of their last six games overall, with both of them wins coming against a New Jersey Devils' team that has currently lost six straight games and is nearly dead-last in the entire league in points. On top of that as well though, the Blues have just four wins on the road in 17 attempts, and haven't shown many signs of turning it around in that aspect. With nearly 45-percent of the season in the books, this team has got to start winning some of these games away from their own building -- especially when it's against another division foe, where the points are crucial.
Tarasenko, who is one-point behind McDavid for the Art Ross, scored again in last nights' loss and now has 16 goals to go along with his 22 assists. Kyle Brodziak also scored on Monday night, which was his fifth goal on the season, and has netted one home in two straight.
Jake Allen will be in net in this contest, and if one thing is for sure, it's that the 26-year-old needs to have an impactful performance -- especially in regards to help out his confidence. While it's not all his fault, and he has come up with some big-time saves, he's also allowed some soft goals at the absolute worst times, which turned out to be ultimate momentum killers'. He has given up five goals per in two of his last three, with his win coming at home against the Devils (2 goals allowed, 26 shots against). As I have stated though, it's not all his fault, because the guys in front of him certainly need to step up themselves, but he does as well, nonetheless.
Tonight's contest will mark the third meeting of the season between the two, with both teams having won once, both on their home ice. In the first meeting, back in early November, Dallas won 6-2 after a four-goal third period after trailing 2-1. In the most recent one, the Blues won 4-3 in overtime as Tarasenko netted the game-winner in the 63rd minute. The Stars (32 points, 6th place) enter tonight's battle looking for their second straight win, while the Blues (40 points, 3rd place) will be looking to avoid a three-game losing skid. If there was ever a time for the Blues to send a message, especially on the road and before the Winter Classic, tonight is one of them nights.
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