The St. Louis Blues (31-27-7, 69 points, 5th place Central Division) are set to face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins (26-31-10, 62 points, 8th place Metropolitan Division) in an upcoming game at 7:00 p.m. ET. The match will be broadcasted on Sportsnet Pittsburgh and FanDuel Sports Network Midwest for local markets, with streaming available on ESPN+.
The Penguins have a favorable schedule ahead with upcoming games against the Devils, Islanders, and Columbus. On the other hand, the Blues are on their fifth consecutive road game, with a recent 2-1 OT loss to the Kings. Despite their rigorous schedule, the Blues have shown resilience in March, posting a 3-1-1 record.
Although this is the first meeting between the Penguins and the Blues this season, they are scheduled for a rematch on April 3rd in St. Louis. Historically, the Penguins have had success at home against the Blues, winning four straight games.
One notable statistic to consider is goaltender Tristan Jarry’s impressive record against the Blues, boasting a 6-1-0 record with a 1.85 goals-against average, .929 save percentage, and one shutout. Jarry has been particularly dominant at PPG Paints Arena, going 4-0-0 with a 1.17 goals-against average and a .958 save percentage.
Switching gears to the Blues, their aggressive moves in picking up Edmonton RFA players, Broberg and Holloway, have proven successful. Broberg has been a key player on the defense, while Holloway has emerged as a scoring threat in the forward lines. The absence of Parayko due to injury has been felt on the Blues’ defense, but they continue to push for a playoff spot.
As the playoff race intensifies, the Blues find themselves in a tight spot, battling with teams like Calgary, Vancouver, and Utah for a postseason berth. The outcome of their games carries significant implications for their playoff hopes.
In contrast, the Penguins are playing the role of spoiler, with little at stake for them in the postseason race. However, the team remains focused on delivering strong performances, with players like Kolyachonok stepping up in the face of injuries and Jarry showcasing stellar goaltending.
In conclusion, the upcoming game between the Blues and the Penguins promises to be a thrilling matchup with playoff implications on the line. Both teams are eager to secure a win and boost their postseason chances, making it a must-watch for hockey fans.