Blues coach Andy Murray said that goalie Chris Mason “has earned” the right to start tonight in Minnesota. Mason’s hot hand of late won over Legace being the team’s proclaimed No. 1 goalie. Murray also considered Mason’s success against Minnesota last week, when the Blues won 2-1 with him in net.
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Patrik Berglund will be on the Blues’ top line tonight with Keith Tkachuk and Brad Boyes. Murray went to that combination in the second half of the Atlanta game Sunday and it seemed to click.
“Yeah, it kind of surprised me (to be put on that line),” Berglund said. “I don’t know if I deserved it or not. But I think after my injury I came back pretty hard, and I think I played pretty good. It’s fun to be up there with Boyes and Walt. We had the 2-2 and 3-2 goals . . . two very important goals that turned around the game. They are two really experienced players and it’s fun to have those kinds of players around you.”
The rest of the combinations will look something like this:
Steve Regier-Alex Steen-David Perron
Brad Winchester-Jay McClement-David Backes
B.J. Crombeen-Cam Paddock-Yan Stastny
On taking Steen off the top line, Murray said: “You can tell he’s been a defensive guy on his line. He’s thinking defense a lot. He needs to get the puck to the net more. If you’re going to generate offense, you’ve got to put the puck on the net.”
Cam Janssen will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game. Without Janssen, the Blues are going with the philosophy that they can play around Minnesota tough guy Derek Boogaard.
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The defense stays the same tonight:
Eric Brewer-Roman Polak
Jeff Woywitka-Barret Jackman
Jay McKee-Carlo Colaiacovo
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The Blues’ No. 1 power play will look like this against Minnesota:
Boyes-Tkachuk-Berglund
Colaiacovo-Perron
Murray has been very impressed with Perron at the point. Perron took over that spot from Lee Stempniak.
“We haven’t missed a beat (with Perron),” Murray said. “David’s really stepped in there . . . he was dynamic there against Atlanta. I thought he was good against Edmonton, too. He brought the puck up against Atlanta and we didn’t have a problem bringing the puck in the zone. He’s been good.”
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An update on Paul Kariya’s hip:
“It just has to settle down,” Murray said. “We’ve talked to different experts and they all just think he has to rest it. He’s a tough guy and would be out there if he could be. He knows his body really well and he knows he’s not ready yet.”
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The Blues should be well-represented in the upcoming World Junior Championships (under 20), which will take place Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Ottawa.
On Wednesday, Team Canada invited goalie Jake Allen, defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and forward Brett Sonne to camp Dec. 11-15, when 38 players will try out for the team.
Team USA has already finalized its roster and three players from the Blues’ system will be playing in Ottawa: Defensemen Ian Cole and Cade Fairchild and forward Aaron Palushaj.
JR