The St. Louis Blues are hitting the road after an impressive five-game homestand with a 4-1-0 record, including a 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators. The team averaged 3.8 goals per game, a 25 percent conversion rate on their power play, and boasted a 93.8 penalty kill percentage in those games. Head coach Craig Berube will prepare his team for their first of three stops on their road trip before they enter the Seattle Kraken‘s lair for the first time.
In their first matchup, the Blues won 2-1 thanks to two goals from Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich in the third period. The Kraken are 2-7-2 in their last 10 games and have won two games in a row after defeating the San Jose Sharks 3-2 on Jan. 20.
Here’s a look at the storylines and projections ahead of Friday’s matchup:
| TEAM | WIN PERCENTAGE | GOALS FOR PER GAME | GOALS AGAINST PER GAME | POWER PLAY | PENALTY KILL |
| BLUES (23-11-5) | .654 (9TH) | 3.49 (5TH) | 2.72 (8TH) | 29.5 (T-1ST) | 84.3 (6TH) |
| KRAKEN (12-23-4) | .359 (30TH) | 2.67 (25TH) | 3.56 (29TH) | 18.1 (21ST) | 78.4 (20TH) |
2 Storylines: Blues (23-11-5)
Blues Are Healthy Again
The Blues announced on Wednesday that Buchnevich has been cleared from COVID protocol and has resumed practicing with the team. His return makes the team healthy, while rookie defenseman Scott Perunovich remains the only player out of the lineup — considered day-to-day with an injury. (from ‘With Buchnevich back, Blues’ COVID list is clean’, St. Louis Post Dispatch, 1/19/22). The team welcomed four players back on Monday for their Central Division showdown against the Nashville Predators. After a two-goal, four-point performance in his return, Brayden Schenn might have set the bar high for Buchnevich’s first game back.
Buchnevich was acquired in an offseason trade that sent Sammy Blais and a 2022 second-round pick to the New York Rangers this summer. He signed a four-year contract worth $23.2 million only days later, and in his first season with the organization, he is tied for second in both goals (14) and points (35).
Barbashev Hitting New Career Highs
The Russian Factor is again taking shape as the Blues sport three Russian forwards ranked in the top four in team scoring. In six games this season, Buchnevich, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Ivan Barbashev have combined for eight goals and 17 assists. Call it what you will, but the three have found undeniable chemistry, and it is paying big dividends to the organization.
Related: Mid-Season Grades for Blues’ Offseason Acquisitions
As the horn sounded to end the game on Monday, forward Barbashev left the ice after scoring his 14th and 15th goals of the season in a four-point night. His 15 goals are a new career high, and he’s on pace for 32 goals and 72 points. Barbashev has traditionally been a bottom-six, checking forward with limited ice time, hovering around 13 minutes a game. Now, in his sixth season with the Blues, coach Berube has increased his ice time by nearly four minutes per game after moving him into the top six. He signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract in the offseason and is making his case for a big payday should this trend continue.
2 Storylines: Kraken (12-23-4)
Kraken’s Soucy is Feeling Saucy
Over the last five games, defenseman Carson Soucy has tied for the team lead in goals (2) and points (3), including a two-goal night against the Sharks. The Kraken have struggled to find their footing in their debut season but have strung together two wins and will look to make it three against the Blues.
Saucy was selected in the expansion draft from the Minnesota Wild, where he scored eight goals and 31 points over 108 games. The defenseman has six goals and 13 points through 31 games this season.
Kraken Welcome Davy Jones
The Kraken officially welcomed Davy Jones as their team dog on Monday ahead of their game against the Chicago Blackhawks; they are undefeated in the two games since at Climate Pledge Arena. Davy is a four-month-old husky who has won the affection of the team and earned plenty of smiles from the organization.
According to the Seattle Times, Davy will be trained to be a therapy dog, unlike most dogs in the NHL who are trained to be service dogs. He arrived via Dog Gone Seattle, a foster-based rescue organization. Canidae Pet Food Company is sponsoring his stay with the club and paid for his medical bills, food, and training. (from ‘Kraken’s new team dog already a big hit with players and coaches,’ Seattle Times, Jan 18, 2022)
Players to Watch
St. Louis: Ivan Barbashev – Barbashev has scored 11 goals and 24 points in 21 games since Nov. 11.
Kraken: Calle Jarnkrok – After scoring his 100th career goal on Jan. 20, Jarnkrok has two goals and three points in his last five games.
Projected Line Combinations
St. Louis Blues
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
| Brayden Schenn | Ryan O’Reilly | David Perron |
| Pavel Buchnevich | Ivan Barbashev | Vladimir Tarasenko |
| Brandon Saad | Robert Thomas | Jordan Kyrou |
| Klim Kostin | Tyler Bozak | Oskar Sundqvist |
| Left Defense | Right Defense |
| Niko Mikkola | Colton Parayko |
| Torey Krug | Justin Faulk |
| Marco Scandella | Robert Bortuzzo |
| Starting Goalie |
| Jordan Binnington |
Seattle Kraken
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
| Jared McCann | Yanni Gourde | Jordan Eberle |
| Marcus Johansson | Alexander Wennberg | Calle Jarnkrok |
| Joonas Donskoi | Morgan Geekie | Karson Kuhlman |
| Ryan Donato | Riley Sheahan | Mason Appleton |
| Left Defense | Right Defense |
| Mark Giordano | Carson Soucy |
| Vince Dunn | Adam Larsson |
| Jeremy Lauzon | William Borgen |
| Starting Goalie |
| Joey Daccord |
Blues’ Next Game: Sunday, Jan. 23 at Vancouver Canucks (9 PM CST)
