Behind Enemy Lines: St. Louis Blues

Tonight the St. Louis Blues play host to the Buffalo Sabres, in the first game between the two since Ryan Miller and Steve Ott were dealt to the Blues.

Tonight’s Opponent: St. Louis Blues

Mar 25, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; St. Louis Blues center Steve Ott (29) warms up before playing against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Blues beat the Maple Leafs 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 51-17-7, 109 pts.

Standings: First in the Western Conference

Current Streak: Won 1

Being honest, the St. Louis Blues were one of the best teams in the league before bringing in solid goaltending from the very team they play tonight. They have only gotten better since then.

Currently sitting in first place in the Western Conference, the Blues are looking to close out their remaining seven games on a streak

In the first matchup since being dealt, Miller will have to be watching from the bench, as head coach Ken Hitchcock has decided to give Brian Elliott the start in net, his first game since a 33 save, 1-0 shutout win against the Pittsburgh Penguins back on March 23. Hitchcock is definitely putting his confidence in Elliott, stating that “he is really focused” at this stretch of the season.

Over the past 10 games, the Blues are 7-3-0 with just one win, the St. Louis Blues will set a brand new single season record of wins with 52, breaking the previous record of 51 set back in 1999-2000 season.

Players who have just been on their game has been key for the Blues, as multiple players have been great if not the best in the home stretch to the playoffs. Ryan Miller has posted a 10-3-1 record since donning the St. Louis #39 jersey, basically being the last line of defense, if they really need it. Elliott has faced the Sabres a total of 11 times, going 9-0-2 in those games, a record which he looks to add to tonight.

When it comes to scoring, the Blues have plenty of offensive presence, from both the forwards and the defense.

Leading the team in goals and points, Alexander Steen has been the go-to guy when it comes to scoring. Steen has been an almost point-per-game guy. This season, Steen has 33 goals and 27 assists through 64 games he has played.

Mar 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing T.J. Oshie (74) during the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. The Blackhawks beat the Blues 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The United States’ fan favorite T.J. Oshie has just been electric, recently being named the third star for the past week after scoring 4 goals and 2 assists in two back to back games, one of which included a hat-trick against the Minnesota Wild.

Alex Pietrangelo, who will play in his 300th career game, has been a fairly consistent defenseman, notching three assists in his past five games, adding to his 8 goals and 42 assists this season

Not to mention the Blue receiving a load of help from David Bakes, Jaden Schwartz, Kevin Shattenkirk, Vladimir Tarasenko, and so many others.

This team is a point scoring nightmare to deal with, and with all those players peaking at the right time, the St. Louis Blues will be the team to beat in the long run.