2 Big Games Tonight.

St. Louis Blues @ Ottawa Senators

The ‘Note has another road test tonight at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa. Only Anaheim, Edmonton, and Columbus (13, 14, 15^thin

Brian Elliott as a Senator (Image via Wikipedia)

Western Conference) have a worse road record than St. Louis.

At 8-11-3, the Blues face another physical test with 8^th seed Ottawa tonight, and 6^th seed New Jersey on Thursday.

The Blues have been dominant against Eastern Conference teams this season at 9-0-2. But, the road woes continues. They have dropped 4 of their last 5 road games, including a loss to the surging Nashville Predators on Saturday night.

In goal for St. Louis is Brian Elliott, the former Senator. Elliott has never faced the Senators during his five-year career. He spent the first 3+ seasons in Ottawa before being waived last season.

The Senators are scuffling a bit too. 0-5-1 in their last 6 games, the scoring deficiency has plagued them as well. They only have 1 goal over their last 6 periods of hockey.

I predict Elliott has a big return to the place that waived the All-Star goaltender last season.

#7 Florida Gators @ #1 Kentucky Wildcats

The Gators are surging. Tonight they play at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The road scuffles have hit the Gators too–they are 2-4. UK is 14-0 at home.

Interesting stat: Florida averages 80.1 PPG … Kentucky averages 78.2

Kentucky is riding a 15-game win streak, including a nation-best 48 at home.

Florida has won 7 in a row, surging to #7 in the polls.

UK’s Anthony Davis … 6’11 Freshman leads the team in PPG (13.9), RPG (10.1), Steals (1.5/game), and Blocks (4.8/game)

**His 116 blocks is one more than the conference’s previous freshman record set by LSU’s Shaquille O’Neal’s in 1990.

Florida plays a completely different style. The backcourt is their strong suit.

Kenny Boynton averages 17.6 PPG, and shoots 43% from beyond the arc.

But, for any St. Louis fan watching, all eyes are on freshman guard #23 Bradley Beal. Beal is heating up. In his last 5 games, he has scored 72 points. He averages 14.3 PPG, 6.1 RPB, and 1.9 assists/game.

If I had any cojones/money, I would take the Gators (+9) tonight.

Finally, Mizzou’s win over Oklahoma last night went under the radar–but it shouldn’t have. That game meant just as much to the season as Saturday’s win over Kansas. Perhaps not emotionally, but for Mizzou to regroup from Saturday’s huge win and leave Norman with a W says a lot about the mindset of the players, and head coach Frank Haith. Beating Kansas is a stepping stone towards a larger goal, as was the win at Oklahoma. It’s important to not overlook any team in NCAA, especially on the road.

Big win? Sure. They’re all big from here on out, regardless of the opponent’s record.

How about Steven Pledger … prematurely reacting to his brick to end the game.

Thanks for reading.