Game Notes: March 23 vs. Vancouver

The Blues return to Scottrade Center tonight having come off a road trip in which they collected eight of a possible 10 points. Their recent success has seen the Blues jump back into the third spot in the Central Division. The Blues are back home for the first time since March 11, when they beat the Islanders to sweep a back-to-back home set. St. Louis is hosting the Vancouver Canucks at Scottrade Center for the second time this season tonight. The Blues have split the season series thus far, including a 4-3 victory over the Canucks on Feb. 16 at Scottrade Center. Overall, the Blues have points in five straight games against the Canucks (4-0-1), including consecutive wins at home. This season, the Blues are 7-3-0 in the first home game after a road trip of at least two games.

What to Watch

With the
news of Paul Stastny's injury
, look for Alexander Steen to assume the responsibilities at center. Steen has two goals and three assists over his last six games, while he's posted a plus or even rating in nine straight starts (plus-4). What's more, Steen has feasted on the Canucks, logging a team-most 12 career goals in 26 career games. Tonight also begins an interesting final stretch in the schedule as only two of the Blues' final 10 games are against current playoff teams, meaning eight of their final 10 outings come against teams with nothing to lose.

Milestones

David Perron - 1 shy of 100 goals as a Blue / 6 shy of 500 career PIM
Kyle Brodziak - 4 shy of 400 career PIM
Carl Gunnarsson - 8 shy of 100 career assists
Alexander Steen - 2 shy of 400 career PIM / 6 shy of 300 PIM as a Blue
Jay Bouwmeester - 4 shy of 100 PIM as a Blue
Magnus Paajarvi - 2 shy of 300 career games
Alex Pietrangelo - 7 shy of 300 career points

Quick Hits

• The Blues have killed all 19 of Vancouver's power-play attempts over their last seven meetings
• Robert Bortuzzo will dress in his 200th career game tonight
• With his 30th assist on Tuesday vs. Colorado, Vladimir Tarasenko became the seventh 30-30 player this season
• Patrik Berglund (21 goals) has reached the 20-goal plateau for the third time in his career (first since 2010-11)
• Jake Allen has allowed two or fewer goals in 12 of his last 17 starts

50th Anniversary Throwback Note

On this day in 1991, Brett Hull became the fourth player in team history to score 200 goals as a member of the Blues, and Adam Oates added three assists as St. Louis won 3-2 over the Islanders, at Long Island