The Blues play the 2nd leg of a home and home with the Blue Jackets. Injury update and goaltending debate.
Hitchcock: Blues Have Another Level

David Backes goes flying over the hip of Columbus Blue Jackets Jack Johnson (photo via WilliamGreenblattPhotography.com)

With a win tonight over Columbus, the St. Louis Blues would have a 6-point lead on the Detroit Red Wings with 12 games to play. Detroit has almost an identical remaining schedule minus the Blues’ two games in Chicago. Detroit has Washington at home and New York two days later at the Garden. Nobody wants Nashville in the opening round.

The goaltending debate is heating up. No doubt Jaroslav Halak is the #1 in my opinion. Again, no disrespect to Brian Elliott, but Halak is playing at an exceptional level. Hitch says a goaltending platoon cannot work in the playoffs, but it’s worked all season, why change it now? Regardless, it’s a great problem to have the best goaltending tandem in the league.

Tonight’s game will be ugly. The Blue Jackets beat the Blues at Nationwide Arena in February halting a 4-game win streak. Tonight, the Blues look to win 5 straight for the 1^st time since December of 2010. Last night was chippy to say the least, and it will carry over. These are the games where you just hope Columbus refrains from taking a run at a guy. Gregg Williams style.

D Kevin Shattenkirk on Columbus’ Physicality:

On a positive note, D Kris Russell and F Jamie Langenbrunner are on the road trip and could return Tuesday against the Blackhawks. Alex Steen is still in California sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber to help with concussion symptoms.