BLUES Vladimir Tarasenko and Tage Thompson scored just one minute and five seconds apart Friday night in Dallas to give the Blues a 2-1 lead in the third period, but the Stars would score three goals (including an empty netter) to take a 4-2 win at American Airlines Center.
Blues Head Coach Mike Yeo liked his team's effort though, saying his club had to deal with some tough circumstances out of their control.
"It's disappointing for our group not to get a win here tonight," Yeo said. "I think we actually played a hell of a game. There were a couple things out of (the players') control… If we keep playing hard and we fight through this adversity, we'll be better for it… it's unfortunate for the players. They played their hearts out tonight. If we keep doing that, we'll get rewarded."
The Blues could get Jay Bouwmeester back in the lineup tonight. Bouwmeester was activated from injured reserve Saturday, while defenseman Jordan Schmaltz was assigned to the San Antonio Rampage.
HURRICANES Derek Ryan and Sebastian Aho scored and Cam Ward made 27 saves against Pittsburgh on Friday to help the Carolina Hurricanes to a fourth consecutive win.
Carolina is 7-1-0 in their last eight games and is now just one point out of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
"We're playing our game. We're playing quick," Jacob Slavin told CarolinaHurricanes.com. We're a really fast team, and we're using that to our advantage. As a team, I think we're starting to find that rhythm in the third and figuring out how to win games. That's going to be important going down the stretch."
THE MATCHUP The Blues beat the Hurricanes in their first meeting of the season, winning 2-1 at PNC Arena on Oct. 27. The Blues are 6-3-0 in their last nine games against the Hurricanes. Although they've lost their last two home games against Carolina at Scottrade Center, the Blues have points in seven of their last 10 at home against the 'Canes (6-3-1).
