Blues expect big response Thursday vs. Avalanche

The Blues and Avalanche are separated by just five points in the standings, and Colorado has three games in hand, so it's fair to say Thursday's game between the Blues and Avalanche (7 p.m., FSMW, FSGO, KMOX) is a big one.

THE MATCHUP

BLUES The Blues dropped a disappointing game to the Minnesota Wild 6-2 at home on Tuesday night to kick off a set of three straight games against Central Division opponents. Jaden Schwartz and Dmitrij Jaskin scored for the Blues, while Carter Hutton lost his first game in five starts. He was replaced by Jake Allen after the first period.
"Goalies stand on their head for two months and then we do that to them," Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo said after the game. "… It's a big week for us divisionally. We have a lot of games here against divisional opponents. We have to respond no matter what these next two games. It's too big of a week for us, too big of points for us not to.
"I expect a big response (tonight)."
AVALANCHE The last time the Avalanche visited St. Louis, they were the hottest team in the League, winning 10 of 11 games before the Blues beat them 3-1 at Scottrade Center on Jan. 25. Now, Colorado is 3-3-1 in their past seven games, which most recently includes a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night.
Tyson Jost and J.T. Compher had a goal and an assist each in the win.
The Avalanche are without their leading scorer in Nathan MacKinnon, who has missed three games with an upper-body injury.
HEAD-TO-HEAD The Blues have beaten the Avalanche in both meetings this season. Overall, the Blues have won eight of their last nine against the Avalanche (8-0-1), which includes four straight victories at Scottrade Center.
The Blues haven't allowed a power play goal to the Avalanche in their last seven meetings at Scottrade Center (17-for-17) and have killed off 33 of Colorado's 35 power-play attempts over the last 14 matchups.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"We played a strong game against (Colorado two weeks ago), and I think we're going to use (Tuesday's loss) to play with a little bite, a little chip on our shoulder. You don't want any team walking into your building and doing that to you. There's a lot of pride in this group, a lot of character. I except a big bounce back game from us." - Tage Thompson

HOT VS. AVALANCHE

• Pietrangelo has seven points in his last seven games (one goal, six assists) against the Avalanche, including back-to-back multi-assist efforts.
  - Vladimir Tarasenko has 10 points in his last 12 games vs. Colorado (four goals, six assists).
  - Patrik Berglund has four points in his last five games against the Avalanche (three goals, one assist).
  - Paul Stastny has six points in his last seven games vs. Colorado (three goals, three assists).
  - Brayden Schenn has six points in his last eight games (three goals, three assists).
  - Carter Hutton is 4-1-0 with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .920 save-percentage in five career games against the Avalanche.

BLUE NOTES

• Jaden Schwartz has two goals in his last three games after returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him for 20 games.
  - Alexander Steen has seven goals and five assists (12 points) in his last 13 games.
  - Schenn is one point shy of reaching 300 for his NHL career.
  - After Thursday's game, the Blues will travel to Winnipeg for a Friday night matchup with the Jets, who lead the Central Division standings.
  - Thursday's game will be Kyle Brodziak's 200th as a Blue.