Game Thirty-Six: St. Louis Blues (14-15-8) at Tampa Bay Lightning (19-13-3)

Time: 7:00 PM EST

Location: Benchmark International Arena, The arena where Jake Paul DIDN’T get his jaw broken

TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, FDSNMW, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App

Odds: Lightning

Know the Opponents: Bleedin’ Blue

Look, there are plenty of games where it’s easy to get excited for the match-up. Any game against Florida – yup, going to be up for that one. Same with Boston and Toronto. Other match-ups, well, it can be a bit of struggle to build up any emotion. Enter the St. Louis Blues.

We don’t want to say they’re boring. We’re sure their fans love the team. But…yeah, they’re the Blues. As far as we’re concerned, the most exciting thing they’ve done in the last few seasons is to make a couple of successful offer sheets. That was a fun couple of days.

Anyway, they roll into town after throttling the Panthers, 6-2, on Saturday. Robert Thomas (don’t make a Matchbox 20 joke, don’t make a Matchbox 20 joke) scored twice and Jonatan Berggen, who was claimed on waivers on Wednesday, had a goal and two assists. Welcome to the club, kid.

In net Jordan Binnington has gone from top goalie to top trade rumor subject with Joel Hofer getting the bulk of the starts over recent games. He’s won three of his last four games while posting a .925 SV%.

As for the Lightning. they finally found a way to pick up some points in a game where they didn’t play all that well over the first 20 minutes. After spotting the Carolina Hurricanes a 3-0 lead, they battled back to pick up a 6-4 win. A little line-mixing might have helped spark things a little. Coach Jon Cooper broke up his most reliable line and put Yanni Gourde with Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov. The Great Pumpkin gave them a little spark and the Lightning posted a 12-6 advantage in shot attempts and an 8-2 edge in scoring chances over the 7:03 they were together.

With Brandon Hagel on Injured Reserve, there is a chance that Coach Cooper gives the trio another look. Moving Anthony Cirelli onto a line with Zegmus Girgensons and Pontus Holmberg also elevates them a little as well (they had a 7-2 edge in scoring chances). Sometimes, out of the chaos brought on by injuries, a little magic can be found.

The Blues have had some issues on defense, allowing 2.85 GA/60 at 5v5. Only the Sabres and Ducks have allowed more. For the Lightning, it could be the tonic that cures what ails them on home ice. They got rolling offensively against the Hurricanes, now the Blues give them a chance to keep it going.

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

Forwards:

Brayden PointAnthony CirelliNikita KucherovJake GuentzelNick PaulOliver BjorkstrandZemgus GirgensonsYanni GourdePontus HolmbergDominic JamesJack FinleyGage Goncalves

Defense:

J.J. MoserDarren RaddyshRyan McDonaghCharle-Edouard D’AstousDeclan CarlileMax Crozier

Goaltenders:

Andrei VasilevskiyJonas Johansson

St. Louis Blues

Forwards:

Jonatan BerggrenRobert ThomasPavel BuchnevichJake NeighboursBrayden SchennOtto StenbergPius SuterDalibor DvorskyRobby FabbriAlexey ToropchenkoOskar SundqvistMathieu Joseph

Defense:

Philip BrobergColton ParaykoTyler TuckerJustin FaulkCam FowlerLogan Mailloux

Goaltenders:

Jordan BinningtonJoel Hofer