Huge task ahead for Isles as they head to St. Louis

The Islanders head into St. Louis Thursday night, but this is no pedestrian Blues team that they will face.

The Blues, five points behind Detroit but with two games in hand, are UNBEATEN IN REGULATION against the East this season: 11-0-2.  Colorado is the only other team with at least 11 wins against the other conference: 11-2-0.  No Eastern team has won more than 9 games against the West this season (Philly has 9).

"Luckily", the game is in St. Louis, where the Blues are a sparking 24-3-4.  Their 52 points are the most on home-ice this season.  Yes, they have more points at home than Detroit -- who has won 21 straight at The Joe -- in part because they have played four more home games than the Wings (24-2-1 at home)

The Blues defeated Montreal last March 10th 4-1, so they're actually 12-0-2 in their last 14 against the East.  Their last regulation loss to the East: March 5, 2011 --on Long Island.

The Isles will be looking for their fifth straight road win -- haven't done that since they started the Laviolette era with six straight road W's.

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick