GDT Game 58: 2/17/19 | 2:00 PM CT | @ Wild | NBC/KMOX

[theohall]

The St. Louis Blues likely will turn to a rookie goaltender in their bid to match a franchise-record winning streak.

The red-hot Blues vie for their 10th victory in a row on Sunday afternoon when they conclude their three-game road trip versus the Minnesota Wild, who have dropped four in a row at home (0-2-2) and seven of eight overall (1-4-3).

Jordan Binnington has shown St. Louis the way by winning seven straight starts to match a franchise rookie record, set by Brent Johnson in 2000-01. The 25-year-old Binnington turned aside all 21 shots he faced in Thursday's 4-0 victory over Arizona to notch his third shutout of the season and improve to 11-1-1 with a 1.69 goals-against average and .931 save-percentage.

"He's playing unreal. It's really huge for our team. It's really amazing," said forward Vladimir Tarasenko, who has done quite well in his own right.

Tarasenko scored his team-leading 25th goal early in the third period of Saturday's 3-0 win over Colorado to extend his point streak to a career-high 11 games (10 goals, nine assists). The 27-year-old Russian has collected 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 24 career encounters with Minnesota, including an assist on a goal by Ryan O'Reilly in a 5-1 setback on Nov. 3.

O'Reilly, who has club-best totals in assists (37) and points (58), returned the favor on Saturday by setting up Tarasenko to snap a scoreless tie at 4:01 of the third period. Zach Sanford tallied 57 seconds later, Jaden Schwartz added an empty-net goal and Jake Allen turned aside all 32 shots he faced to secure the second straight shutout for the Blues.

St. Louis' sizzling surge has it in third place in the Central Division, five points ahead of a reeling Minnesota squad that squandered a multi-goal lead for the second straight game in Friday's 5-4 overtime loss to New Jersey.

"They're finding their way in. It's frustrating," goaltender Devan Dubnyk said after yielding five goals for the second consecutive contest. "We probably deserved four points out of the last two games and we only got one. Got to find a way."

Although Dubnyk has started six straight games and 47 overall this season, coach Bruce Boudreau wasn't willing to commit to the 32-year-old heading into Sunday's clash.

"There are a whole lot of different things that I'm looking at," Boudreau told the St. Paul Pioneer Press after Saturday's practice. "We'll see what transpires tomorrow."

Dubnyk turned aside 44 of 47 shots in a pair of victories against the Blues in early November to improve to 11-13-2 in 26 career encounters with the club.

Should Dubnyk find a seat on the bench Sunday, Alex Stalock, a native of St. Paul, Minn., will see his first action since making 27 saves in a 4-3 overtime loss to Chicago on Feb. 2.

Mikael Granlund, tied for the club-lead with 34 assists, has scored two goals and set up two others on a three-game point streak. The 26-year-old Finn joined Zach Parise (club-leading 23 goals) with a tally in Minnesota's 3-2 win over St. Louis on Nov. 11.

[theohall]

I have a bad feeling we are going to see what happens when the Blues don't protect the front of the net for Binnington in this one. Kind of expect to see a "tired legs" Blues team and wouldn't fault them if that happened.

Wild have been at home all week only playing Tuesday and Friday while the Blues are on their 6th game in 9 days (3rd game in 4 days) with back-to-back road games. At least last weekend, bot teams (Nashville and St Louis) both faced the same travel. That's a far cry from facing a team which has been at home all week and only played 2 games in the past 6 days.

[glen a richter]

They’re going from high altitude to low altitude, doesn’t matter that it’s back to back afternoons, they’ll have a little extra step today and I think we’re looking at another shutout. It’s been a long time since I had confidence in this team, so let’s roll with it.

Blues 4
Wild 0

[Robb_K]

I have a bad feeling we are going to see what happens when the Blues don't protect the front of the net for Binnington in this one. Kind of expect to see a "tired legs" Blues team and wouldn't fault them if that happened.

Wild have been at home all week only playing Tuesday and Friday while the Blues are on their 6th game in 9 days (3rd game in 4 days) with back-to-back road games. At least last weekend, both teams (Nashville and St Louis) both faced the same travel. That's a far cry from facing a team which has been at home all week and only played 2 games in the past 6 days.

This is all true. But, if they continue to play their fundamentally sound team defence, and Binnington plays his fundamentally sound positioning game, The Blues' poise and confidence, and relaxed, playing for fun style, could give them a good chance. I think it will be a very close game. I hope the puck bounces their way and they win their 10th in a row.

[gaijin]

Let's Go Blues! Keep it rolling!

[Robb_K]

Tarasenko scores on a great feed by O'Reilly!!! Blues score first again!!!

[Robb_K]

Great chance for Schwartz created by Fabbri! It would be nice for those 2 to gel together.

Great reflex save by Binnington!

[Robb_K]

O'Reilly had time to pick a corner there! Nice shot by Bozak using the defender as a screen!

[Robb_K]

O'Reilly scores a late PP goal on top corner shot on a tic-tac-toe play from Tarasenko!!! Blues take a 2-0 lead into The 2nd!!!

[Robb_K]

Great 4 on 2 chance by Fabbri & Co.

But, soon after, The Blues will have to go on the penalty kill.

Great kill! No shots!!

[Robb_K]

Blues get Dunn to jump into a 2 on 1 with Schenn, and he gets the easy shot and makes no mistake!!! Blues lead 3-0!!!

[Robb_K]

Excellent save by Binnington!

[Robb_K]

Schenn scores as the defenceman carries it into the net!!! Blues lead 4-0!!!

[Robb_K]

When you play well, EVERYTHING goes you way! Let's make it 5-0 on this PP! Dunn is hit with a high stick for a double minor, with the first 1/2 a 5 on 3! Let's put this game away!!!

[Robb_K]

Blues didn't move enough on the 5 on 3. Now Parise takes a hooking penalty, so were back to 5 on 3.

[Robb_K]

Failed on 2 consecutive 5 on 3s. Not good.

And now they take a penalty. They'd better kill it off or The Wild will trail by only 3 and have the momentum.

[Robb_K]

Good save by Binnington, preserving the 4-goal lead. Not a bad 2nd, other than wasting the 2 5 on 3s, and almost 6 minutes straight of man advantage. Glad Binnington is in goal this game. The way The Blues are playing good team defence, I'm pretty confident they will hold on in this game. Still, I'll feel better after this penalty is killed off, and I see the team continuing to try to keep the puck in The Wild's Zone.

[Robb_K]

Another good kill!

[gaijin]

Fabbri saved a goal there...

[flyingnote38]

Fabbri with a great play on that wraparound