My player to watch for the St. Louis Blues in the third of a four-game homestand on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets is defenseman Torey Krug.
Yes, the numbers don't look good -- offensively, anyway -- for the 32-year-old, with zero points through 10 games thus far this season.
But I like the way he's defended and used his smaller frame to his advantage.
I'm going out on a limb and say Krug gets on the scoresheet tonight, whether it be a goal or assist, or multiples of one or the other, or each, and and get off the proverbial schneid.
His specialty is the power play, which is just 1-for-27 on the season, but he's quarterbacking the top unit again and coach Craig Berube has the PP units back to early-season order looking for something on that side of the puck.
I think Krug is someone who will benefit.
Krug's averaging 21:03 of ice time this season playing with Justin Faulk. Yes, he takes risks with the home run stretch passes, which he pulls off better than any of the blue liners, but his fundamentals in the d-zone have been better than they have been since his arrival four years ago.
"Obviously with the way that last season happened, I wasn't happy with things," Krug said. "Going into this season, it was a big point of emphasis, closing out plays with my feet, skating better and having a good stick. Definitely tried coming into camp with a little bit more intensity and practice a little bit harder and I think it's shown up in games."
More must-reads: