Alex Pietrangelo is widely regarded as a potential No. 1 defenseman, a player who can quarterback a team at both ends of the ice. But Pietrangelo was not satisfied with his offensive contributions this season as the Blues approached the second half of the schedule.
That's changed lately. By starting the play that wound up in T.J. Oshie's goal and a 1-0 victory over Dallas on Monday, Pietrangelo got an assist and continued a streak that now includes points in seven consecutive games. He has two goals and eight assists in that stretch.
"I think I'm just keeping it simple really," Pietrangelo, 21, said. "Shooting the puck has been a big thing for me. I had a couple of shots tonight that could have been in the back of the net, but I've just been shooting it more."
Pietrangelo had 43 points in 79 games last season, his first full go-round in the NHL. Until the recent surge, he was well off that pace. But the righthand-shooting backliner now has seven goals and 14 assists in 45 games, which is more like it. He also is a plus-14.
"I really just have to trust my shot," Pietrangelo said. "I think earlier I was looking to pass too much. I found myself second-guessing my shot. I have to trust my ability to shoot the puck, I've had that threat my whole career."
Pietrangelo added the win over the Stars, which gave the Blues a share of first overall in the NHL, was a gratifying moment.
"For some of us who have been here ... I mean, I've only been here for three years, but some guys in here have been through a lot," he said. "And the fans have been here through it, as well, all the changes. So it's big for them and I think we deserve it. We've put in a lot of work since training camp to right now, and we've come a long way."
SAME LINEUP
The Blues' lineup was unchanged for Monday's game against Dallas.
None of the team's walking wounded was ready to return for the game, including Alex Steen and Kris Russell. The anticipation concerning Steen has been heightened by the fact the forward has been skating in a regular jersey for several practices. That is in contrast to Andy McDonald, for instance, who has been skating with the team but wearing a red "no contact" jersey.
Jersey color notwithstanding, Steen was held out for the ninth consecutive game as a result of concussion symptoms.
"He had a very good practice today," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We'll practice him hard on Tuesday and Wednesday and see how he is for Thursday. He hasn't had a team practice yet, all he's done is isolation practices.
"He'll get team practices in the next two days... He looks very good, so we'll work him up and hopefully get him ready for Thursday."
Hitchcock indicated defenseman Russell essentially is in the same boat, and he could be ready for Thursday's game with the Edmonton Oilers.
"Russell, same thing conditioning-wise. Not quite there. Tuesday, Wednesday practice and hopefully ready for Thursday also."
CROMBEEN GETTING SETTLED
Blues forward B. J. Crombeen has played in nine games since returning from a shoulder injury and is looking forward to cracking the scoring sheet. The winger said there have been no ill effects from the injury, but there was an orientation process. After all, he was injured before the Blues made a coaching change.
"I feel good," Crombeen said. "I feel like the first couple of games back, I was still going through a few things and trying to learn a new system. But I feel good now, feel like I'm in good shape and have my timing back.
"The way I explain it is, when you're learning something new, you tend to think before you react. And when you're thinking and playing it's not good, because you're not playing off your instinct. I think that was one of the big adjustments."
