Opinion
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St. Louis Blues Set to Tangle with Anaheim Ducks at the Enterprise Center

As the St. Louis Blues prepare to host the Anaheim Ducks at the Enterprise Center, fans are eager for what promises to be a thrilling encounter on March 17th. The Blues have shown resilience and strategic prowess in their recent games, which could be pivotal against an Anaheim team that's looking to disrupt the home side's rhythm.


Mar 25, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Max Comtois (44) passes the puck while St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington (50) defends the goal during first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

In their last game on March 6th against the New York Islanders, despite a loss, there were flashes of brilliance from STL that should not go unnoticed. The Blues managed two goals on just 21 shots, indicating a shooting percentage of 10 percent – a testament to their ability to capitalize on opportunities even when they're limited. However, one area where they'll need significant improvement is faceoffs; winning only 32 percent against the Islanders won't cut it if they want control of this upcoming game.


The defensive aspect for STL also needs tightening up; while they blocked an impressive number of shots (17), their plus-minus rating was -11. This statistic must improve if they are going to suppress ANA's offense effectively.


Mar 25, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington (50) celebrates with center Brayden Schenn (10) after the game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

On March 5th versus Philadelphia Flyers, STL showcased their tenacity by pushing through to win in a shootout after being tied in regulation and overtime – an encouraging sign for fans who value determination and clutch performance under pressure.


One standout feature from that game was goaltending – saving all but one out of 41 shots is no small feat and will be crucial when facing off against ANA’s attackers who will undoubtedly test STL’s resolve between the pipes.


Mar 25, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (10) handles the puck against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (4) during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Furthermore, special teams could play a significant role in this matchup. In their victory over Minnesota Wild on March 2nd at home soil, STL capitalized once out of seven powerplay opportunities while maintaining solid penalty killing throughout. This special teams' efficiency might just tip scales in favor of St. Louis if both sides find themselves battling penalties during this clash.


With these factors in mind, it seems clear that while ANA may pose challenges with fresh tactics and unpredictable gameplay, it is within STL’s capability to dominate proceedings through sharpshooting accuracy, robust defense bolstered by shot-blocking proficiency and stellar goaltending combined with effective special teams play.


Fans can catch all the action live as St. Louis Blues take on Anaheim Ducks at Enterprise Center on Saturday night at prime time – puck drop scheduled for 6:00 PM local time (CT). Broadcasts will be available across multiple networks including ESPN+ online as well as BSSC/BSSD/BSMW for television viewers looking forward to witnessing another exciting chapter unfold in this NHL season.

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