Saturday, October 23, 2010

(10-23-10) Penguins-Blues Gameday Lineup

By LOUIE KORACST. LOUIS -- Remember how the talk around the Blues a year ago was how paltry their home record was? That seems like an eternity ago now.

The Blues were so bad on home ice at the outset last year, that opposing teams couldn't wait to step foot onto the ice surface at Scottrade Center.

In their first 21 games here (discounting the 'home' game in Sweden against Detroit), the Blues began 4-14-3 on home ice. Not exactly the way to pave a path to a successful and playoff season.

Don't look now, and nobody is trying to jinx the team, but heading into today's 7 p.m. tilt against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Blues have reeled off nine straight wins here and havethe Eastern Conference semifinal in seven games with Montreal last season, gets the nod again tonight after backstopping 23 of 25 shots against Chicago Friday.

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The Penguins (5-3-0) come in looking to extend a four-game winning streak. The Blues snapped Chicago's four-game winning streak and will look to do it to another opponent tonight.

Pittsburgh, dealing with a number of injuries, will roll out the following lines:

Chris Kunitz-Sidney Crosby-Pascal Dupuis

Mike Comrie-Mark Letestu-Evgeni Malkin

Matt Cooke-Maxime Talbot-Tyler Kennedy

Eric Tangradi-Craig Adams-Mike Rupp

Aaron Asham (shoulder) could make his season debut Wednesday in Tampa Bay. And Jordan Staal (foot infection) is practicing and skated here again Saturday with no issues but his return is indefinite.

The d-pairings include Brooks Orpik (groin strain), who's missed the past six games. He makes his return tonight, which