BLUESThe St. Louis Blues brought their homestand record to an even 2-2-0 on Monday night, winning a tight battle with the Ottawa Senators. Noel Acciari capitalized on a mishandled puck in front of the net, scoring what proved to be the game-winning goal late in the first period.
Jordan Binnington made 32 saves on 33 shots to take the win, his tenth 30-save effort and 17th win of the season. Binnington is now one win shy of his season total from each of the last two years, on pace with his career-best mark from 2019-20. He made a number of key saves late in the game as the Senators fought to try and even the score down the stretch.
"I felt good tonight - just trying to hold the lead there in a 2-1 game and do my job," said Binnington. "I think we did a good job for the most part tonight, it was big to close that out without having to go to extra time."
The Central Division standings remain tight as the Blues continue into the second half of their seven-game homestand. The Blues, Predators and Avalanche remain separated by a single point, with the Blues and Avalanche currently four points out of the playoff picture.
The Blues host the division-rival Predators with a record of 22-20-3, worth 47 points and sixth place in the Central Division.
PREDATORSThe Nashville Predators have been up and down since the new year began, starting 2023 with a four-game win streak before losing three in a row. An impressive road win over the Carolina Hurricanes - their second loss in a row after an 11-game win streak - was the highlight amidst a five-game trip.
After the road trip ended with a loss in Montreal, the Predators began a long stretch of home games. From Jan. 14 to Feb. 18, Nashville will play 10 of their 12 games at home, only traveling to St. Louis on Thursday and Philadelphia right after the All-Star break.
They began the long run at Bridgestone Arena with a loss to Buffalo and a win over Calgary before beating the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.
Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi continue to lead the Predators in scoring, with Josi's 36 points ranking No. 9 among NHL defensemen. Goaltender Juuse Saros has been the go-to starter in goal, earning an All-Star nod with his 16 wins, .921 save percentage and 2.68 goals-against average.
The Predators head to St. Louis with a record of 21-17-6, worth 48 points and fourth place in the Central Division.
HEAD-TO-HEADThursday will be the third of four matchups against the Predators this season, wrapping up the series on the road on April 1. The Blues are 1-1 this season vs. Nashville, with their win coming in an overtime shutout by Jordan Binnington on Dec. 12.
