PREVIEW: Ducks at Blues - Shake It Off

The Anaheim Ducks will be looking to rebound from their worst performance in months with the second and final game of this short road trip. The St. Louis Blues are a darn good hockey team, and Anaheim is going to have their collective hands full trying to contain them, particularly as of late as the Blues are one of the league's hottest teams, winning four straight and seven of their last ten games. That stretch has pulled them right back into the duel for the top spot in the league's dominant Central Division, where they trail the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks by just a single point. This will be the third and final meeting of the season between the two teams, who have split the results thus far.

Last Games:

Ducks: Wednesday March 9th vs. Colorado Avalanche (L 0-3) "Every Single Streak Dies in 3-0 Loss to Colorado"

Blues: Wednesday March 9th vs. Chicago Blackhawks (SO-W 3-2) "Blackhawks vs. Blues Recap: Haters Gonna Hate"

Notes:

Ducks: The Ducks will be forced to make some lineup changes as Sami Vatanen will not play due to the elbow he took to the head in the first period of their last game against the Colorado Avalanche. He will be replaced in the lineup by Korbinian Holzer, who draws in for his first game since January 23rd.

The Ducks also welcome back forward Shawn Horcoff, who has completed a 20-game suspension for a PED violation. This is key for the Ducks as Horcoff is tied with captain Ryan Getzlaf for career scoring against the Blues with 29 points each.

Additionally, Frederik Andersen will be back in net for the Ducks after serving as backup for the last couple games. Andersen has faced the Blues five times in his career, winning four times and surrendering only nine goals in the process.

Blues: The Blues will once again be putting their faith in young Jake Allen between the pipes. Allen has started each of the last six games. In his last 10 contests at home, he's been darn near unbeatable, registering a .933 save-percentage and a 1.71 goals against average. This could be considered surprising as the Blues are not as defensively tight as they have been in years past, allowing a middle-of-the-pack 30 shots against per game, and are 11th in terms of 5-on-5 puck possession this season. Allen also has not lost to Anaheim in his career, winning all three games in which he's faced them.

The Blues have also been excellent at home vs. Anaheim for the last several years. Anaheim has only managed to scrape six points out of their last 12 contests at the Scottrade Center.

Forward Ryan Reaves was ejected for a charging penalty last game, but his game misconduct was rescinded by the league and he will play in this contest. That being said forwards Alexander Steen and Steve Ott along with goaltender Brian Elliott will not appear for this game, all on the mend from various injuries, however good news for Blues fans this morning as all three were involved with the team's morning skate.

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Two hours before face off we'll have the game thread up, featuring the full Stat Pack, likely with expected lines, and of course your Numbers For Nerds.