Game Notes: Nov. 22 at Boston

Matchup

What to Watch

The Blues will get to face their former captain, David Backes, for the first time tonight. Backes, who signed a five-year deal with Boston this past summer, spent 10 seasons in St. Louis and ranks fifth on the all-time franchise games played list (727), sixth on the points list (460) and fifth on the penalty minutes list (969). Also, watch for even-strength play to be the deciding factor between these two teams. Over their last eight matchups, 35 of the 38 total goals scored have come at even strength. The Blues are just one for 20 on the power play in that stretch, while the Bruins are only two for 19.

Milestones

David Perron - 4 shy of 200 career assists
Jay Bouwmeester - 3 shy of 300 career assists
Vladimir Tarasenko - 6 shy of 100 career PIM
Paul Stastny - 10 shy of 200 career goals / 5 shy of 700 career games
Colton Parayko - 2 shy of 100 career games
Jori Lehtera - 6 shy of 100 career PIM
Kyle Brodziak - 6 shy of 100 games as a Blue / 9 shy of 400 career PIM
Jake Allen - 1 shy of Roman Turek (66) for 9th on the all-time franchise wins list

Quick Hits

• With goals in back-to-back games, David Perron has six for the season which is halfway to his total from last year
• Since being a healthy scratch on Nov. 10 in Nashville, Robby Fabbri has a point in each of his past four games (three goals, two assists), including three power-play goals
• The line of Kyle Brodziak, Ryan Reaves and Scottie Upshall has combined for three goals, two assists and a plus-9 rating over the Blues' last three games
• The Blues posted a plus-5 third period goal differential last week after accruing a minus-1 mark in their previous 16 outings

50th Anniversary Throwback Note

On this day in 2003, Pavol Demitra scored his 200th career goal, the game-winner and added an assist in the Blues 2-1 win against the visiting Dallas Stars. It was also the Blues' 200th win at their home arena (the Savvis Center)