GDT Game 32: 12/12/17 | 7:00 PM CT | vs Lightning | NBCSN/KM

[theohall]

ST. LOUIS -- The Eastern Conference-leading Tampa Bay Lightning and West-best St. Louis Blues meet on Tuesday night at Scottrade Center to start what both coaches know will be a challenging week for their respective teams.

The Lightning and Blues are tied atop the league standings with 44 points and both come into the game riding four-game winning streaks.

Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper's team won those four games at home, and he knows the Lightning have to find a way to transfer their home success to the road, where they lost three of four games on their last trip. Tuesday night's game begins another four-game trip.

"We've done what we had to at home," Cooper told the Tampa Bay Times. "Now we have to do it on the road, and it's much tougher with all the travel we have to do, especially where we are here. So, we have to learn from what we did on the road before, what we have to do to prepare, but this is a good way to jump-start that."

Cooper and the Lightning players have not forgotten the team's last road game, a 3-2 loss at Boston on Nov. 29.

"If there was one lesson we had to learn, we learned that in Boston," Cooper told the newspaper. "Our guys will tell you that (game) was men among boys and we were definitely not the men in that game, so we know we have a long way to go."

Steven Stamkos told the Tampa Bay Times games like the one against the Bruins serve as a reminder of what the Lightning need to do to be successful.

"When you're winning, a lot of stuff gets swept under the rug," he said. "It's nice to get that friendly reminder sometimes that it's tough to win in this league every night and there are some really good teams out there. You get humbled like that, it makes you hungrier the next game."

The game against the Lightning begins a busy week for the Blues, who also host Anaheim on Thursday night before a home-and-home series against the Winnipeg Jets over the weekend.

They know they won't have forward Jaden Schwartz for those games, out for six weeks because of an ankle injury. The Blues don't know the status of defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, who missed Sunday night's overtime win over Buffalo because of a leg injury.

"We try to be optimistic," coach Mike Yeo said. "This is going to be four of six for us and it's been a tough stretch with travel and guys out of the lineup. We'll be excited for that game, as will they."

The Blues and Lightning played in Tampa on Oct. 14, with the Lightning posting a 2-1 victory.

"A dangerous team," St. Louis forward Paul Stastny said of the Lightning. "For us it's about what we do to be successful. We worry about our own game."

One of the Blues' strengths has been an ability to overcome injuries to several key players.

"When one guy does get hurt I think the other lines seem to step up a little more," Stastny said. "It happens to every team. It's a long season, you're going to have injuries, and you can't use it as an excuse. Whoever is in the lineup just focuses on what they have to do."

[gaijin]

Going to be a tough one, for sure. Keep those guys away from the side of the net.

I'll be wearing my Blues jersey around Tampa today.

[glen a richter]

They nearly blew it against Buffalo... I'm supremely confident it's going to be a long 6 weeks sans Schwartz.

Lightning 3
Blues 0

[tjk002]

They nearly blew it against Buffalo... I'm supremely confident it's going to be a long 6 weeks sans Schwartz.

Lightning 3
Blues 0

Just heard Petro to the IR. Schmaltz is on the clock.

[gaijin]

Bouwmeester out as well. Ordinarily I'd say no big deal, but with Petro out, we'll need all hands.

[theohall]

If Schmaltz is in - as in recalled and playing - I don't have much faith in the Blues beating the Lightning. Tampa exposes weak defenseman like nobody's business with any of their 4 lines.

When the RD is Parayko, Bortuzzo, Schmaltz... LD is fine with Edmundson, Gunnarson, and Dunn. But those increased minutes for Bortuzzo against a really fast team combined with having to play Schmaltz who has regularly lost d-zone puck battles every time he's been with the team... Doesn't look good.

Hope I'm wrong.

[Robb_K]

A well-played period by The Blues, considering they are without Schwartz, Fabbri, Pietrangelo and Bouwmeester. Too bad they gave up that late period goal with only 44 seconds left. Got to get that back as early as possible.

[Robb_K]

The Blues should have scored on that rebound, with Vasilevsky sprawled on the ice! He made 2 fantastic saves.

And Tarasenko skating in all alone on goal shoots wide!

[gaijin]

Yeah, it's frustrating to see those chances not go our way.

We've had our share of lucky breaks too- like the deflection off the skate that went behind Allen but wide.

[Robb_K]

The Blues had several good chances there. One of them should have gone in.

[Robb_K]

Good kill!

[Robb_K]

Tarasenko had lots of good chances, but can't buy a goal.

[Robb_K]

Another penalty to kill off.

[Robb_K]

Super save by Allen!

Good kill!

[Robb_K]

Super save by Allen!

Good kill!

Blues now on the power play!

[Robb_K]

How could Sobotka miss that open net???

[Toasted Oates]

How could Sobotka miss that open net???

I watched it about 5-6 times and seriously have no idea. That's about as egregious of a miss as you'll ever see.

I guess they can hold off erecting his statue.

[Robb_K]

How could Sobotka miss that open net???

I watched it about 5-6 times and seriously have no idea. That's about as egregious of a miss as you'll ever see.

I guess they can hold off erecting his statue.

My grandmother would habe knocked that in! And she's been dead for 25 years!

[theohall]

Someone needs to make a giant empty net with a beach ball completely missing it gif.

[ibldbl]

They nearly blew it against Buffalo... I'm supremely confident it's going to be a long 6 weeks sans Schwartz.

Lightning 3
Blues 0

Called it!

Normally I would congratulate you, but it sucks for you to be right, this time.