The Florida Panthers will be taking the ice in St. Louis for their only game this season against the Blues. The Cats are the NHL's "road warriors," with a league leading seven road wins to their credit. Meanwhile, St. Louis isn't exactly a pushover at home, boasting a 6-1-1 record in their friendly confines. The Panthers will follow up with a four game homestand while the Blues will take a short road trip to play the Wild in Minnesota on Saturday.
The teams last met in February, with St. Louis dispatching the cellar dwelling Panthers 2-1. Dennis Wideman had the only marker for the game, assisted by Stephen Weiss and Michael Frolik. Tomas Vokoun stopped 26 of 28 shots for Florida in the losing effort.
In their last game, Florida annihilated the Dallas Stars in Dallas 6-0 with goals from six different skaters and a 25 save shutout from backup goaltender Scott Clemmensen. The Blues took it to the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 with markers from Matt D'Agostini and Alex Steen. Brian Elliott made 21 of 22 saves, allowing only a first period goal to the Wings.
Kris Stewart will serve the first game of a three game suspension for a hit on Niklas Kronwall leveled on Tuesday.
Season Series: 0-0-0
All-Time Series: 13-7-4, advantage, St. Louis
Game Time: 8:00 PM EST
Standings
Florida Panthers: 9-5-3, 21 points, second SE Divison, seventh Eastern Conference, 12th NHL, on pace for 102 points
St. Louis Blues: 9-7-1, 19 points, fourth Central Division, ninth Western Conference, 16th NHL, on pace for 92 points
Lineup
Jack Skille and Scottie Upshall are already sitting with injuries, and Matt Bradley left the Dallas game in the first with a lower body ailment. The Cats countered by calling up Evgeny Dadonov and Tim Kennedy. Unless Mikael Samuelsson joins the team today, expect Coach Dineen to roll out 11 forwards and seven defensemen tonight. The Panthers have also been experimenting late in games with two forwards and three defensemen.
Probable Starters
Goaltenders: Scott Clemmensen takes another turn in the crease for the Cats while Jaroslav Halak gets the start for the Blues.
Forwards:
1. Fleischmann-Weiss-Versteeg
2. Kopecky-Santorelli-Sturm
3. Bergenheim-Goc-Dadonov
Matthias, Kennedy (as needed)
Defense:
1. Campbell-Garrison
2. Jovanovski-Gudbranson/Ellerby
3. Kulikov-Weaver
Common Thread:
Mike Weaver played 135 games over two seasons for the Blues, scoring one goal, 16 assists, a plus-seven and 41 PIM.
Team Milestones:
With one more goal, Ed Jovanovski will move past Joe Nieuwendyk into a tie for 32nd on the all-time list with Brian Skrudland, with 32. One more assist will give Jovanovski 58, into a tie for 30th with Paul Laus.
One more assist will move Dmitry Kulikov into 41st all-time, tied with Ruslan Salei, with 46.
Team Leaders:
Goals:
Kris Versteeg - 9
Jason Garrison, Tomas Fleischmann - 7
Assists:
Brian Campbell - 16
Dmitry Kulikov - 12
Kris Versteeg - 11
Points:
Kris Versteeg - 20
Tomas Fleischmann, Brian Campbell - 17
Plus/Minus:
Tomas Fleischmann- plus-13
Stephen Weiss, Kris Versteeg - plus-11