Blues juggle lines vs. Sharks in attempt to halt three-game skid
ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues have had an entire weekend to simmer over a frustrating one-goal loss at Dallas on Friday night.
Monday's practice indicated that the Blues, who have scored five times in a three-game losing streak, will have a new look as they host the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night.
Dmitrij Jaskin moved into the top six forwards, replacing Patrik Berglund on a line with Jaden Schwartz and Brayden Schenn. Kyle Brodziak moved up to center the third line with Vladimir Sobotka and Berglund.
Oskar Sundqvist also figures to see his first game action since Jan. 9.
"Trying to shake things up, I guess," Brodziak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Hopefully, we can find something that clicks."
The Blues also recalled forward Sammy Blais from the AHL for the fourth time this season. Blais, who leads the San Antonio Rampage with 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists), last played for the Blues on Dec. 16, when he got hurt against Winnipeg.
The losing streak has dropped St. Louis into the first wild card position with 72 points in a crowded Central Division race.
Dallas also has 72 points but is in third because the Stars have played one less game. Minnesota is just one point behind the Blues, but also has a game in hand.
"I would say this is as tight as I can remember, for sure," Blues coach Mike Yeo told NHL.com. "We have to embrace that. I think teams that do are the teams that are going to come out on top. That's part of the challenge, dealing with that. Let's be gamers. Let's find a way when the stakes are the highest to go out and perform at our best."
Tuesday's game at Scottrade Center will be the first meeting between St. Louis and San Jose this season. The Blues swept the season series last year and have won four straight against the Sharks.
San Jose is coming off a 5-2 win at home over Dallas on Sunday. The Sharks have 72 points and are in second place in the Western Division.
"It was a huge game because of how the last game (a 6-0 loss at Dallas on Jan. 31) went, but more importantly, because of where we are in the standings and what's ahead here on our schedule," Sharks coach Peter DeBoer told NHL.com. "It's a critical two points."
The win didn't come without some angst as defenseman Brent Burns left the game against the Stars with an undisclosed injury. He is expected to play against the Blues.
"He'll be fine," Sharks defenseman Justin Braun told the San Jose Mercury News. "He's just dealing with something, but he'll be fine. He's that way. He won't miss a game."
Mikkel Boedker continued his scoring streak for the Sharks with two goals against Dallas. He has four goals and an assist in his last three games.
"I think it's going well," Boedker told NHL.com. "Maybe the mindset of being a little more aggressive, a little more direct. I think it's paying off."
