Who was the last player to wear No. 6 in a game for the Blues? The answer is not Erik Johnson.
You might have forgotten about him, but tonight Kent Huskins, No. 6, returns to the Blues' lineup. He played in nine games before suffering a fractured left ankle blocking a shot Oct. 28 in Calgary. He replaces Carlo Colaiacovo, who suffered a wrist injury in practice Wednesday.
The injury to Colaiacovo isn't expected to be serious, but it does give Huskins a chance to jump back into the lineup. A 32-year-old left-handed shooting defenseman, Huskins had two goals and two assists and was a +6 in the nine games he played at the start of the season. He will again be partnered with Alex Pietrangelo.
"He's such an experienced, competitive guy, he's going to give us a big help," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "He's a guy that manages his game well, he's a real determined player, and I think him and 'Petro' have some background. They played those nine games and played very well together. When you get a player like this back in the lineup, it's a big boost depth-wise."
Huskins, who signed a one-year, $1 million free agent deal with the Blues last summer, has a Stanley Cup on his resume from his days with Anaheim. He's played in a total of 47 playoff games with Anaheim and San Jose.
"That's why he was brought here," Hitchcock said. "He was brought here for this experience ... 25 games left in the season and hopefully we get in the playoffs and get on a good run. So this is exactly why he was brought here. I know he's excited, he's looking forward to it. It's been a long go for him."
Said Huskins: "The group has been doing a phenomenal job. They've put together a season of great hockey so far and a lot of work has gone into their success. Those guys deserves a lot of credit. Yeah, I've had some experience the past few years, playing in the playoffs and playing in games down the stretch. Hopefully I'll be able to bring something to the table in that respect."
Hitchcock said he expected Colaiacovo to be back at practice Friday.
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TONIGHT'S LINEUP
Forwards
David Perron-David Backes-T.J. Oshie
Andy McDonald-Patrik Berglund-Jamie Langenbrunner
Vladimir Sobotka-Jason Arnott-B.J. Crombeen
Chris Porter-Scott Nichol-Chris Stewart
Defensemen
Barret Jackman-Kevin Shattenkirk
Kent Huskins-Alex Pietrangelo
Kris Russell-Roman Polak
Goalie
Brian Elliott
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PROTECTING MCDONALD
In Tuesday's loss at Columbus, B.J. Crombeen dropped the mits with the Blue Jackets' Derek Dorsett after Dorsett engaged in some chippy play with Andy McDonald.
Crombeen said that he doesn't think teams will take extra liberties with McDonald because the winger missed four months with a concussion. Nonetheless, Crombeen said he'll be there to do his job if need be.
"(McDonald) is one of our top players, guys are going to play him tough," Crombeen said. "Dorsett is a guy that plays hard, he plays physical. He plays in your face. I just thought a couple of times he went after the whistle and was giving Andy some unnecessary shots.
"I think everyone on our team expects other guys to play hard against us and there's no problem with that. But it's when there's the extra stuff that you don't agree with. Give him credit, he was man enough to stand up and fight. But something had to be done to say, 'You're not going to come at our guy like that.'"
In 21 games since returning from a shoulder injury, Crombeen has been playing left wing on the four line. But tonight, he is expected to start out at right wing, his normal position, on the third line.
"He's been playing really well," Hitchcock said. "I don't want to say it' a promotion. But he's up to speed now and he has a big impact on the game. I think him playing on the right side is more important ... we'll probably bounce (Chris Stewart) and Beener up in the first (period) and see what element works."
Crombeen has one goal and one assist in the 21 games he's played.
"It's something that hopefully I can get a chance and contribute to the team more and more," he said.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
"(Tonight) is a huge game for us character-wise to see if we can bounce back from a tough loss."
- Blues forward T.J. Oshie after Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Columbus.
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WEIGHT'S WORLD
Former Blue Doug Weight is in town tonight with the opposition. Weight has a dual role with the New York Islanders, as a senior advisor to general manager Garth Snow and as an assistant coach.
Weight spent the last three seasons of his career with the Islanders before announcing his retirement last year.
"It's been fun, it's been educational and I've learned a lot in helping Garth on the managerial side and certainly being on the bench, these coaches have been good to me, and it's been very educational. To be around the game, and what we're trying to build here, it's exhilarating. It's never going to feel like when you're walking out of the tunnel, going on the ice and competing, but certainly the next best thing."
Weight said he keeps tabs on the Blues and is thrilled for their success this season.
"They seemed to have found their ground and the way they have to play," he said. "Of course they've had some great goaltending and that's been a key for them. But they're battling and they're committed ... it's going to be great to see the fans and it's going to be a great atmosphere tonight."
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ODDS & ENDS
- The Blues will be putting their record of 11-0-2 against the Eastern Conference on the line tonight. The club will have four more games against the East after tonight (Boston, Winnipeg, Carolina and Tampa Bay).
- Blues captain David Backes is one of two NHL players this season with at least 150 hits and 16 goals. The other is Ryan Callahan, also a member of the captain fraternity with the New York Rangers.
- Blues winger David Perron has 17 points (6 goals, 11 assists) in his last 17 home games entering tonight's game. The team is 28-1-3 in the last 32 home games with Perron in the lineup.
- If you missed it, here's today's story on Chris Stewart being demoted to the fourth line tonight.
