Scouting the Blues

The Kings seem to be getting two kinds of opposing teams coming to town these days: teams on decent winning streaks or losing streaks. In tonight’s case, it’s the latter, as the St. Louis Blues are winless in 2011, when a 0-4-1 record in their last five games. The Blues are trending upward, both in goals scored and goals allowed. They were defeated 2-1 by the New York Rangers on Saturday, 4-3 by Phoenix on Monday and 7-4 by Anaheim last night. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports today that the Blues might be shorthanded, as defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo is out with injury and defenseman Eric Brewer might also be out. The Blues do, however, have one win in their pocket this season against the Kings already, a 6-4 win on Dec. 16 in St. Louis in which they scored two third-period goals to break open a tie game. The teams meet again in five days in St. Louis. For the latest on the Blues, you can check out today’s update from the Post-Dispatch, followed by tonight’s expected lineups and the full Blues roster…

Blues could be short on `D’ vs. LA

BLUES LINEUP
Vladimir Sobotka-David Backes-Matt D’Agostini
Alexander Steen-Patrik Berglund-BJ Crombeen
Brad Winchester-Jay McClement-Brad Boyes
Chris Porter-Philip McRae-Ryan Reaves

Eric Brewer-Erik Johnson
Barret Jackman-Alex Pietrangelo
Tyson Strachan-Roman Polak

Jaroslav Halak

—–

KINGS LINEUP
Smyth-Kopitar-Williams
Clifford-Handzus-Brown
Sturm-Stoll-Simmonds
Richardson-Lewis-Westgarth

Scuderi-Doughty
Johnson-Mitchell
Martinez-Greene

Quick

—–

BLUES ROSTER
4 — Eric Brewer — D
5 — Barret Jackman — D
6 — Erik Johnson — D
15 — Brad Winchester — LW
17 — Vladimir Sobotka — C
18 — Jay McClement — C
20 — Alexander Steen — C
21 — Patrick Berglund — C
22 — Brad Boyes — C
25 — Philip McRae — C
26 — BJ Crombeen — RW
27 — Alex Pietrangelo — D
28 — Carlo Colaiacovo — D
32 — Chris Porter — D
33 — Tyson Strachan — D
36 — Matt D’Agostini — RW
42 — David Backes — RW
46 — Roman Polak — D
55 — Cam Janssen — RW
75 — Ryan Reaves — RW

29 — Ty Conklin — G
41 — Jaroslav Halak — G

Injured-reserve list:
10 — Andy McDonald — C
38 — Dave Scatchard — C
57 — David Perron — LW
74 — TJ Oshie — C