ST. LOUIS — Don’t look now but the Blues are above .500. Who among you thought we’d be saying that before Thanksgiving? Especially when 11 days ago they lost their franchise-record eighth straight in a contest against the Philadelphia Flyers?
But it’s true. Saturday’s 6-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks made it six victories in a row for the Blues and boosted their record to 9-8-0. Anaheim, meanwhile, continues to have the worst record in the league. Which is where the Blues were — of course you remember — on Nov. 8 with that 5-1 loss in Philly.
The Ducks fell to 5-12-1 and still haven’t won a game in regulation this season. (Their five victories have all come either in overtime or via shootout.)
Two goals by Pavel Buchnevich, and one apiece by Noel Acciari, Torey Krug, Brayden Schenn and Robert Thomas made it a season-high six goals in a game for St. Louis. Buchnevich also had three assists, giving him a career-high five-point game.
They did all this without Vladimir Tarasenko, who was scratched because of illness. The veteran forward entered the night tied for the team points lead — with four goals and nine assists. Defenseman Colton Parayko missed his second straight game due to an upper-body injury, but took part in the morning skate and expects to play Monday, against these same Ducks.