Opinion
3 min read

Blues and Islanders Set for Showdown at UBS Arena

As the St. Louis Blues prepare to face off against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena, fans are eager to see if their team can carry forward the momentum from a recent victory. The Blues' performance on February 23 against the New York Islanders was nothing short of dominant, with a 4-0 win that showcased their powerplay strength and goaltending prowess.


Nov 30, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA;  St. Louis Blues left wing Jake Neighbours (63) is congratulated by defenseman Marco Scandella (6) and defenseman Colton Parayko (55) after scoring against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The Blues' powerplay unit was particularly effective, capitalizing on one of their five opportunities and maintaining an impressive 83 percent faceoff win percentage during those crucial moments. This special teams efficiency could be pivotal in their upcoming game as they look to exploit any penalties taken by the Islanders.


Despite a tough loss on February 24 against the Detroit Red Wings where they scored only once while conceding six goals, it's important to note that this was an outlier in what has been a strong defensive season for STL. The -20 plus-minus from that game is not reflective of their overall play, which has been more consistent than this single result suggests.


The Islanders will certainly pose a challenge; however, they've shown vulnerabilities as seen in their last outing where they were unable to score despite taking 38 shots on goal. Their inability to convert on five powerplay opportunities speaks volumes about potential areas where the Blues can gain an upper hand – through disciplined play and strong penalty killing.


STL's goaltending must be acknowledged as well; saving all 38 shots in their last encounter with NYI is no small feat. If they can maintain such high standards between the pipes while continuing to pressure offensively through even-strength play and special teams, there's every reason for optimism among Blues fans.


Looking ahead at what promises to be an exciting match-up, it’s clear that STL has both strengths to leverage and areas from past performances needing improvement. With strategic adjustments and continued emphasis on powerplay effectiveness and goaltending excellence, St. Louis stands a good chance of leaving Belmont Park with another win under its belt.


Fans won't want to miss this clash scheduled for March 6th at UBS Arena starting at 7:30 PM EST (6:30 PM CST). The action will be broadcasted live via ESPN+ and Hulu – platforms ready to deliver every thrilling moment directly into homes across St. Louis and beyond.

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