Opinion
3 min read

St. Louis Blues Set to Confront Pittsburgh Penguins in Steel City Showdown

As the St. Louis Blues prepare to face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena, fans are eager for insights into how their team might fare in this highly anticipated matchup on New Year's Eve.


Dec 23, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA;  St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk (72) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The Blues have shown a mixed bag of performances leading up to this game. On December 30, they suffered a narrow defeat against the Colorado Avalanche with a final score of 2-1 despite outshooting their opponents 29-23. The loss was marked by an inability to capitalize on powerplay opportunities and a shooting percentage that left much to be desired at just three percent.


However, two days prior, on December 28, the Blues managed to secure a victory over the Dallas Stars with an impressive goaltending display that saw them make 39 saves out of 40 shots – an impeccable save percentage that ultimately granted them a win despite being outshot by their opponents.


The most striking performance came from their December 24 game against the Chicago Blackhawks where they dominated with seven goals from just 42 shots – showcasing an explosive offense with a seventeen percent shooting success rate and capitalizing on powerplay opportunities by scoring twice.


These recent games paint a picture of inconsistency but also potential brilliance for STL. Their ability to bounce back from setbacks and deliver high-scoring games suggests resilience and offensive prowess when it clicks.


PIT will be no easy opponent; they are known for their strong home presence and will undoubtedly look to challenge every shot and play aggressively in faceoffs. However, if STL can harness the same energy and execution displayed against Chicago while tightening up their special teams play as seen in previous games, there is reason for optimism among Blues fans.


Looking ahead at strategies, STL must focus on improving faceoff win percentages which have fluctuated recently but showed promise at sixty percent during their high-scoring affair with Chicago. Additionally, maintaining strong goaltending will be crucial as it has been pivotal in past wins.


In conclusion, while past performances indicate some volatility within STL's ranks, there is enough evidence of high-caliber play that could tip the scales in favor of St. Louis if they can find consistency on both ends of the ice.


Fans should mark their calendars for what promises to be an exciting clash scheduled for December 31st at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The puck drops at midnight UTC (7:00 PM local time), ensuring New Year's Eve fireworks both inside and outside the arena. For those unable to attend in person, you can catch all the action live via ESPN+ online or tune into BSMW channel 671 or SportsNet PT channel 659 depending on your location.

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