GDT #12: 11/4/14 | 6:30PM CST | @ Devils | NBCSN/KMOX

[dmiles2186]

BLUES (6-3-1) at DEVILS (6-3-2)

TV: NBCSN

Season series: The teams split the two-game series in 2013-14. The New Jersey Devils received goals from seven different players and Cory Schneider made 26 saves in a 7-1 victory on Jan. 21 in Newark. The St. Louis Blues earned a 3-0 win at Scottrade Center seven days later when former Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak made 23 saves. The Blues have won four of the past five games between the teams but the Devils lead the all-time series 27-23-7.

Blues team scope: Goaltender Jake Allen is expected to make his first career start against the Devils. Paul Stastny competed in contact drills during practice Monday for the first time since injuring his shoulder on Oct. 18 against the Arizona Coyotes and could return Thursday when the Blues host the Devils at Scottrade Center. The Blues won their fifth straight game Monday at Madison Square Garden and their second straight in a shootout, 4-3, against the New York Rangers. Vladimir Tarasenko scored his seventh goal of the season and Patrik Berglund and Jay Bouwmeester connected for their first of the season for the Blues. Tarasenko then scored the decisive goal in the shootout. After facing the Devils in New Jersey on Tuesday, the Blues play five straight at home.

Devils team scope: The Devils recalled forward Steve Bernier from Albany in the American Hockey League on Monday and reassigned forward Reid Boucher, who went scoreless in three NHL games. Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said Monday he expects forward Mike Cammalleri (jaw), who has missed the past three games, to start skating again soon. Jordin Tootoo (foot) returned to practice with the team Monday and Martin Havlat (lower body) has begun skating on his own but is not practicing. The Devils also placed goaltender Scott Clemmensen on waivers. The Devils won their second straight game Saturday when they rallied for a 3-2 victory against the injury-depleted Columbus Blue Jackets, who were missing nine regulars because of injury or illness. Devils right wing Jaromir Jagr has eight goals and 26 points in 27 career games against the Blues.

[gaijin]

So if Jesus doesn't exist, then devils do not exist, so the next 2 games should be an easy 4 points for the Blues.

2 points, please.

[cardsfan04]

I think the real question is, "Does Tarasenko outscore the Devils himself or does he need somebody else to get a goal too?"

[Krigloch the Furious]

Would love to see someone else play offense.
Backes. Steen. Pie.

[glen a richter]

Kansas City Scouts/Colorado Rockies/New Jersey Devils 5
Blues 0

[drwoland]

Blues 5
Devils 0

PS: isn't it a little weird to have a home & home against an eastern conference opponent? Either way, 2 points plz.

[ecbm]

So if Jesus doesn't exist, then devils do not exist, so the next 2 games should be an easy 4 points for the Blues.

2 points, please.

Anyone going? Someone should ask Jagr about the existence of Jesus.

[ViPeRx007]

The Devils seem to be playing pretty good hockies, but screw those guys:

Blues 3
Devils 1

Tarasenko, Schwartz, Steen

[ViPeRx007]

So if Jesus doesn't exist, then devils do not exist, so the next 2 games should be an easy 4 points for the Blues.

2 points, please.

Anyone going? Someone should ask Jagr about the existence of Jesus.

[dmiles2186]

http://www.chatzy.com/81225078408489

[STLADOGG]

6....is a serious numba. Sorry.

[gaijin]

Allen has looked pretty damn good his last couple of games. With the day off, I think he gets the next start against NJ in St. Louis. He definitely deserves it.

[KPFBlue]

I think the real question is, "Does Tarasenko outscore the Devils himself or does he need somebody else to get a goal too?"

We have our answer...

[dmiles2186]

Tarasenko is carrying this team on his back right now. It will be nice if some of our other offensive weapons step up and start potting some pucks. In the meantime, Senko has been the main catalyst for 5 straight wins.

Allen was fantastic. I think the questions about our goaltending coming into the season are being answered by both Ells and Allen.

And again, Hitch could not resist putting Ott on a line with skill players last night. All I want for Christmas is for Hitch to stop doing this. Ott is good on the 4th line. He's crap elsewhere.

[cardsfan04]

I think the real question is, "Does Tarasenko outscore the Devils himself or does he need somebody else to get a goal too?"

We have our answer...

LOL

I obviously meant that tongue in cheek more than a prediction, but pretty funny that it actually happened.

[ecbm]

Tarasenko is carrying this team on his back right now. It will be nice if some of our other offensive weapons step up and start potting some pucks. In the meantime, Senko has been the main catalyst for 5 straight wins.

...

And again, Hitch could not resist putting Ott on a line with skill players last night. All I want for Christmas is for Hitch to stop doing this. Ott is good on the 4th line. He's crap elsewhere.

That first point is so very true that I really was irritated when Hitchcock brought up that he missed a couple shots in the first period. WTF? This from the guy who is indeed giving Ott 1st/2nd-line minutes and putting Berglund out to start power plays...again, WTF? Leaving the axes I've been grinding for months aside, how about calling out guys like Backes, Steen, Petro and Shattenkirk who have been passengers in the offense so far. /rant

[ViPeRx007]

Tarasenko can't keep this up forever....can he?

At some point we need more guys involved. I'm happy with the wins, but they could easily be flipped the other way.

I don't have any explanation for the Ott/Berglund thing either unless it's a way to try to get them going...but, they aren't the guys we need to get going. We need Steen, Backes, Oshie and Stastny to pick it up. I know Oshie and Stastny are out, but Oshie wasn't doing anything before his injury (maybe this is a blessing in disguise for him and he'll come back strong). Stastny we haven't even really seen yet, but he should help out once he's ready.

Bottom line, we have a lot of major players who haven't really done a whole lot so far. I guess I'll take the slow starts if it means they ramp it up at the end.

[glen a richter]

Tarasenko could have easily had 4 or 5 goals last night if Schneider hadn't played out of his mind. That's just it though. Schneider played out of his mind. Whether he duplicates that on Thursday is an issue to discuss tomorrow, but I think the other guys will join in on the fun very soon and then league look out. They're flying high with only one guy scoring, just wait until Schwartzy, Lehtera, Steen, Berglund.... whoa, got carried away there. Sorry. Anyway you get the point. When everyone else clicks, finally, this team will be really fun to watch, not just regularly fun to watch.

[drwoland]

Tarasenko could have easily had 4 or 5 goals last night if Schneider hadn't played out of his mind. That's just it though. Schneider played out of his mind. Whether he duplicates that on Thursday is an issue to discuss tomorrow, but I think the other guys will join in on the fun very soon and then league look out. They're flying high with only one guy scoring, just wait until Schwartzy, Lehtera, Steen, Berglund.... whoa, got carried away there. Sorry. Anyway you get the point. When everyone else clicks, finally, this team will be really fun to watch, not just regularly fun to watch.

Berglund's post was a sick shot too, could have easily been a goal. But he DOES need to find WAY more of those chances.

[cardsfan04]

Tarasenko can't keep this up forever....can he?

At some point we need more guys involved. I'm happy with the wins, but they could easily be flipped the other way.

I don't have any explanation for the Ott/Berglund thing either unless it's a way to try to get them going...but, they aren't the guys we need to get going. We need Steen, Backes, Oshie and Stastny to pick it up. I know Oshie and Stastny are out, but Oshie wasn't doing anything before his injury (maybe this is a blessing in disguise for him and he'll come back strong). Stastny we don't even really know what we have in him yet.

Bottom line, we have a lot of major players who haven't really done a whole lot so far. I guess I'll take the slow starts if it means they ramp it up at the end.

What's he at? 7G in last 5 games or something? I doubt that pace keeps up, but I do suspect that we're seeing his true breakout season into superstardom.

The rest of the team definitely needs to start picking it up though. My half-full view is that if we're winning while many of our key guys are hurt, sick, or just not producing as expected, we're going to be really really good when the team gels more. I think this team is built for a Cup run better than the past few years because we have the same core with more scoring punch.