Opinion
4 min read

St. Louis Blues Set to Tame the Wild at Enterprise Center Showdown

As the St. Louis Blues gear up to face the Minnesota Wild, fans are looking towards a game that could be a defining moment in their season. The upcoming clash at the Enterprise Center is more than just another fixture on the calendar; it's an opportunity for redemption and assertion of dominance on home ice.


Nov 28, 2023; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates after the puck against the St. Louis Blues in the second period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Blues have had a rollercoaster of performances leading up to this game. A recent encounter with the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 19 saw them fall short, despite playing at home, with a final score of 4-2 against them. The statistics from that game paint a picture of missed opportunities and defensive lapses – they gave away nine times and were outscored in even strength goals.


However, it wasn't all doom and gloom for STL as they managed to block 26 shots and their powerplay unit found success once out of two opportunities – something they'll hope to replicate against MIN. Their goaltending was solid with an impressive save percentage, but ultimately it wasn't enough to secure victory.


Nov 28, 2023; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Kasperi Kapanen (42) shoots against the Minnesota Wild in the first period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

In contrast, when facing off against Nashville Predators on February 17, STL's shortcomings were more pronounced as they succumbed to a 5-2 defeat. They struggled particularly in faceoff win percentage at only 40 percent and were heavily penalized which led to four powerplay opportunities for Nashville.


But there's always light after darkness; this was evident when STL bounced back with an emphatic win over Edmonton Oilers on February 16 by scoring six goals while conceding only three. Their shooting percentage was through the roof at twenty percent and their powerplay capitalized twice out of eight chances – showcasing what STL is capable of when firing on all cylinders.


Nov 28, 2023; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Boldy (12) celebrates his goal against the St. Louis Blues in the third period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

This mixed bag suggests that consistency is what eludes STL most this season but also highlights their potential explosiveness offensively when things click into place.


Looking ahead at Minnesota Wild’s recent form provides some insight into what can be expected from them - disciplined playstyle with fewer giveaways compared to STL’s last few games which might pose challenges for Blues’ attackers trying to penetrate through MIN’s defense.


The key battle will likely be fought in special teams where both squads have shown proficiency; thus execution during powerplays could very well tilt the scales in either team's favor come game day.


Blues fans should mark their calendars for March 2nd as puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 PM local time (Central Time Zone) at Enterprise Center where St. Louis will look not just for victory but also consistency that has so far been elusive this season. Fans unable or unwilling to brave Missouri’s winter weather can catch all action live on BSMW channel number 671 where every check along boards or snap shot towards goal will be broadcasted right into comfort of your living room – don’t miss out!

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