BLUESThe St. Louis Blues concluded their activity at Friday's NHL Trade Deadline, acquiring
Jakub Vrana from Detroit in their last move amidst a busy stretch
for Doug Armstrong.
As Armstrong re-tools the roster, the new-look Blues delivered a solid win in San Jose on Thursday night. Down 2-0 early, the Blues used a 4-0 second period to generate momentum and come away with a 6-3 win.
Jordan Kyrou got back onto the scoresheet after five scoreless games, skating with confidence and recording his 30th assist and team-leading 26th goal of the season. Kyrou is now just one goal shy of matching his career-best 27 goals from last season.
Pavel Buchnevich also provided a pivotal spark, tying his career high with four assists. Kasperi Kapanen's first goal as a Blue came on an empty net to seal the victory.
Delayed in his arrival to Los Angeles due to travel issues, Vrana will not make his Blues debut on Saturday as the team continues its Pacific Division road trip against the Los Angeles Kings.
The Blues will face the Kings with a record of 27-29-5, worth 59 points and sixth in the Central Division.
KINGSThe Los Angeles Kings made a big trade on Wednesday, sending longtime goaltender Jonathan Quick to Columbus - later rerouted to Vegas - for defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.
Quick had spent his entire 16-year career in Los Angeles - winning two Stanley Cups and a Conn Smythe Trophy - becoming the Kings' all-time leader in goaltender wins, games played and shutouts by wide margins.
Early on Friday's Trade Deadline day, the Kings traded Brendan Lemieux and a future fourth-round pick to Philadelphia for Zack MacEwen. They also traded Frederic Allard to Montreal for Nate Schnarr.
The Kings are hungry for wins as they find themselves squarely in the Western Conference playoff race, currently sharing the Pacific Division lead with Vegas at 78 points - though the Golden Knights possess two games in hand.
A tight win over Montreal on Thursday helped their pursuit of the division crown, with Anze Kopitar's 25th goal of the season proving to be the game winner in the 3-2 victory. Kopitar's 58 points this season - his 17th in Los Angeles - rank No. 2 on the team.
The Kings host the Blues on Saturday with a record of 35-20-8, worth 78 points and second in the Pacific Division.
HEAD-TO-HEADThe Blues fell 5-1 to the Kings at Enterprise Center earlier this year. The season series concludes in Los Angeles on March 26. The Blues are 6-2-2 in their last 10 trips to Los Angeles.
