Detroit and Chicago have received much of the attention and the Blues have been mentioned as the surprise team in the Central Division.
But Nashville has continued to impress the division and Saturday's 3-1 victory over the Blues will take away nothing from the Predator's reputation, as the Preds claimed 14 of their last 17 games.
The Blues scored only one goal Saturday, and it came from fourth-liner Chris Poter.
"We're not exactly blitzing anybody," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We're finding that one-goal edge. Every game, the game's on the line, the (goalies) make that save, breakaway, 2 on 1 and it keeps us going. We're not chasing the game from behind. That's the small difference."
The Blues dropped to 0-2-2 against Nashville, and they have now given up goals in their last 11 periods.
The club will try to reverse that trend Tuesday against Ottawa. Blues goalie Brian Elliott, who was traded from the Senators, is expected to get dealt by the club.
NOTES, QUOTES
--The Blues were without veteran center Jason Arnott on Saturday. Arnott left Friday's game with a shoulder injury after a hit by Los Angeles' Dustin Brown. "It would be another tough loss," Blues forward Jamie Langenbrunner said Friday night. "Guys have filled in when need be, and obviously (Chris Porter) is champing at the bit. I think the one luxury we have is that guys seem to be able to shuffle in and out of positions. Hopefully we don't lose too much, but obviously missing Arny is not perfect."
–-The Blues were hoping to have LW Alex Steen and LW Andy McDonald available soon, but they will not travel with the team on its three-game road trip to Nashville, Ottawa and New Jersey. "They're not ready," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "They're not going to take pre-game skates. They've got their own agendas and own schedules."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're not exactly blitzing anybody. We're finding that one-goal edge. Every game, the game's on the line, the (goalies) make that save, breakaway, 2 on 1 and it keeps us going. We're not chasing the game from behind. That's the small difference." -- Blues coach Ken Hitchcocdk said.
