St. Louis Blues center Andy McDonald (10) is congratulated by right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) and left wing Alexander Steen (20) for scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at the United Center. The Blackhawks beat the Blues 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
(KSDK Sports) -- St. Louis has a new hockey hero, and he's a rookie. Today Vladimir Tarasenko and the St. Louis Blues travel to Dallas to take on the Stars.
The Blues are coming off a their second straight win over the Nashville Predators while the Stars handed the Red Wings a loss in Detroit and return home to a tough task.
The Blues went on an impressive stretch to end the regular season a year ago as they claimed the Central division and were a point off the pace to take the President's Trophy and they have looked like the same world beaters to start this season as they looked to get to the Stanley Cup finals.
St. Louis is built from the crease out as they have two solid starting goalies in Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott with the former already logging two shutouts on the year and they match up very well against any team in the league on the blue line.
Offensively the Blues aren't stylish but get the job done as they're very well balanced and can generate offense from any of their four lines which will be troublesome for the Stars in this game.
The Blues are a better team at home than on the road but there is anticipation that this season St. Louis will be one of the better road teams in the league and could upend the Stars in this one.
The Stars will be looking for their third win of the season but they'll have their work cut out for them as they will be without superstar forward James Neal likely for one last game as he solves his immigration issues.
The Stars are one of the more undervalued teams in the Western Conference and in a shortened season have a great chance to play the spoiler role and slip into a playoff spot while in the process sending one of last year's playoff participants packing.
It would have be a marquee goaltender's matchup between Kari Lehtonen and Jaroslav Halak but it appears as though Stars backup Christoph Nilstorp will get the call which gives the Blues a decisive advantage even with the Stars playing on home ice.