Opinion
4 min read

Panthers Prowl into the Blues' Den for a Midweek Showdown

As the St. Louis Blues prepare to host the Florida Panthers at the Enterprise Center, fans should be brimming with confidence. The upcoming clash on January 10th is set to be a spectacle of skill and strategy, with both teams eager to assert their dominance.


Nov 4, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (10) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports

The Blues have shown resilience and tactical prowess in their recent games. A thrilling victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on January 7th showcased their ability to stay cool under pressure, securing a win in a shootout after an evenly matched game that ended 2-1. Their goaltending was impeccable, boasting a save percentage of 100 percent throughout regulation and overtime. This defensive solidity is something they'll want to carry into their next game.


Offensively, while only scoring one goal during regulation against the Hurricanes, it's worth noting that they managed an impressive shooting percentage of four percent from 22 shots on goal during even strength play. However, there's room for improvement in powerplay situations where they failed to capitalize on their single opportunity.


In contrast, when facing off against Vancouver Canucks at home on January 5th, STL demonstrated offensive prowess by netting two goals from an impressive thirty shots during even strength play – translating into a six percent shooting success rate – which contributed significantly to their 2-1 victory over the Canucks.


However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for STL; when they visited Pittsburgh Penguins back on December 31st last year, despite scoring two goals from twenty-seven shots (a seven percent shooting percentage), they fell short with a final score of 4-2 in favor of Pittsburgh. The faceoff win percentage was notably low at thirty-three percent which may have contributed significantly to this loss.


The Panthers are not opponents that can be taken lightly; however, given STL's recent form and home advantage where faceoff wins soared up to sixty-eight percent against Vancouver – indicating strong puck possession – there is reason for optimism among Blues fans.


STL will need to sharpen up their powerplay performance and maintain strong goaltending as seen in previous games if they wish to tame the Panthers' offense. Fans can expect players like Ryan O'Reilly and David Perron who have been pivotal in recent victories through clutch plays and leadership roles respectively - these key players could very well make all difference once again come game night.


With anticipation building up towards this encounter between two formidable teams vying for supremacy mid-season - it promises not just entertainment but also critical points at stake as we head deeper into this campaign season.


Mark your calendars: The puck drops at Enterprise Center at 7:00 PM local time (8:00 PM ET) on January 10th. Home viewers can catch all live action via Bally Sports Midwest channel number six hundred seventy-one or tune into ESPN+ if you prefer streaming services online!

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