Dr.Sens(e)
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(AP) St. Louis: The two toughest guys on the block, eventually they’re going to fight.
Such is this case this evening, when the New Jersey Devils, the class of the Eastern conference thus far early in the season, roll into St. Louis to face the Blues, the top team in the Western conference, in what some pundits are calling a potential Stanley Cup preview.
“It’s a bit early for thatâ€, stated Blues captain Chris Pronger. “We’re barely winning our division right now, let alone demonstrating we’re the clear favorite to win out in the playoffs.â€
In the Devils, the Blues face a young high-flying squad new to the top of their conference and a team propelled by the most dangerous line in the league this season comprised of Chris Drury between high flying wingers Ilya Kovalchuk and Marion Gaborik. The trio has combined for a league leading 29 goals in 17 games thus far, and all are +15 or better.
“We’ll have our hands full with those guys†stated Zdeno Chara. “I called Marion (Gaborik) last night and told him to take it easy on usâ€
Chara and Gaborik have played together for their native Slovakia in International competition on several occasions.
“I also told him to keep his head up.â€
The timing is not ideal for the Blues, as they limp into the game with several injuries. Top line winger Dany Heatley is out with a bruised shoulder, while Scott Walker, Brendan Witt and Nikolai Khabibulin are still recovering from various injuries. While no final decision will be made until after the morning skate, it is expected both Walker and Witt will play, while Martin Biron will play his second consecutive game in place of the ‘Bulin Wall.
The Blues will lean heavily on their defensive unit to slow down the Devils, as St. Louis currently leads the league in fewest goals against, allowing a paltry 1.76 goals per game. The Devils trio can expect a steady dose of Pronger and Chara, with one of them on the ice for the majority of the game.
What happens when an unstoppable force meets and immovable object? Those in attendance in St. Louis this evening will witness it first hand.
Such is this case this evening, when the New Jersey Devils, the class of the Eastern conference thus far early in the season, roll into St. Louis to face the Blues, the top team in the Western conference, in what some pundits are calling a potential Stanley Cup preview.
“It’s a bit early for thatâ€, stated Blues captain Chris Pronger. “We’re barely winning our division right now, let alone demonstrating we’re the clear favorite to win out in the playoffs.â€
In the Devils, the Blues face a young high-flying squad new to the top of their conference and a team propelled by the most dangerous line in the league this season comprised of Chris Drury between high flying wingers Ilya Kovalchuk and Marion Gaborik. The trio has combined for a league leading 29 goals in 17 games thus far, and all are +15 or better.
“We’ll have our hands full with those guys†stated Zdeno Chara. “I called Marion (Gaborik) last night and told him to take it easy on usâ€
Chara and Gaborik have played together for their native Slovakia in International competition on several occasions.
“I also told him to keep his head up.â€
The timing is not ideal for the Blues, as they limp into the game with several injuries. Top line winger Dany Heatley is out with a bruised shoulder, while Scott Walker, Brendan Witt and Nikolai Khabibulin are still recovering from various injuries. While no final decision will be made until after the morning skate, it is expected both Walker and Witt will play, while Martin Biron will play his second consecutive game in place of the ‘Bulin Wall.
The Blues will lean heavily on their defensive unit to slow down the Devils, as St. Louis currently leads the league in fewest goals against, allowing a paltry 1.76 goals per game. The Devils trio can expect a steady dose of Pronger and Chara, with one of them on the ice for the majority of the game.
What happens when an unstoppable force meets and immovable object? Those in attendance in St. Louis this evening will witness it first hand.
