Preview: Blues at Blue Jackets

BLUES AT BLUE JACKETS

When: Saturday, March 19 at 4 p.m.
Where: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH
Watch: Bally Sports Midwest, Bally Sports app
Listen: 101 ESPN, Blues app

TEAM SNAPSHOTS

BLUES After a thrilling game at Enterprise Center ended in a shootout loss to the Penguins, the St. Louis Blues will set off for Columbus on Saturday to take on the Blue Jackets.

Ivan Barbashev and David Perron scored Thursday for the Blues, keeping Perron’s goal streak alive. He’s now scored at least one goal in each of his last five games, with two coming in Saturday’s road win against Nashville.

Thursday’s loss was another tough result coming after regulation time expired. The Blues are now 3-9 in games that need extra time, with a 1-6 record in overtime periods and 2-3 in shootouts.

Despite the loss, Ville Husso delivered a stellar performance between the pipes. His 43 saves were the second-highest mark of his career behind a 48-save performance in another shootout loss earlier this year vs. Florida.

Saturday’s matchup with the Blue Jackets will be the Blues’ final game before the Trade Deadline. GM Doug Armstrong has until Monday, March 21 at 2 p.m. to make trades and elevate the team’s championship odds.

Executives and scouts around the NHL will be closely watching games from every team this weekend, evaluating rosters and players in their own efforts to improve their teams.

The Blues continue to hold second place in the Central Division, moving to 34-17-9 and 77 points on the season.

BLUE JACKETS While the Columbus Blue Jackets’ overall record has been inconsistent, they have played some high-quality games against the League’s top teams.

Despite currently sitting outside the Eastern Conference Playoff picture, they’ve recorded wins against Stanley Cup contending teams like the Hurricanes, Panthers, Maple Leafs and two over the Colorado Avalanche.

Recently, the club bounced back from four straight losses to win three in a row, but will enter Saturday’s bout with the Blues off of a big loss at home to the Washington Capitals.

Alex Ovechkin recorded his 768th career goal as the Capitals won 7-2, continuing his climb up the all-time leaderboards.

Columbus saw goals from their two leading point scorers, Patrik Laine and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Both forwards sit at 46 points on the season, in 43 and 60 games played, respectively.

Last weekend, Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner was placed on the injured reserve list due to a lingering back issue. Jenner has 23 goals and 21 assists on the season, including a goal in their Nov. 27 loss in St. Louis.

Saturday will also mark the Blue Jackets’ final game before the Trade Deadline, after which they will begin a three-game road trip in Pittsburgh.

They’ll host the Blues with a record of 31-28-3, good for 65 points and fifth place in the Metropolitan Division.

HEAD-TO-HEAD The Blues left little in doubt when they faced the Blue Jackets earlier this season, winning 6-3 at Enterprise Center.

The Blues are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games against Columbus.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

BLUES Brandon Saad, who recorded an assist on Thursday with a delicate pass to Barbashev through the goal crease. Saad has four points in his last four games as he continues his first season in St. Louis.

BLUE JACKETS Defenseman Zach Werenski is on pace for a career year in his sixth season in Columbus. Werenski has 40 points in 56 games this season, including five in his last four games.

BLUE NOTES

The Blues are 2-0-1 in their last three trips to Columbus… Perron shares seventh in the League with seven goals in the month of March… Among the 72 players to play in the NHL this season from the 2017 Draft Class, Robert Thomas ranks second with 36 assists (1. Cale Makar, 45) and ranks third with 48 points (1. Makar, 66).