The St. Louis Blues are expecting to get No. 1 goaltender Manny Legace back from injury on Thursday, and it can’t come too soon following the Blues’ 9-5 loss to Colorado on Sunday night.
Because of a mixup, Legace (knee) originally was due to come off injured reserve Tuesday, but that will have to be pushed back to St. Louis’ next game, which is Thursday against the Panthers.
Blues president John Davidson said Legace was ready to be the backup Sunday in Denver, and Legace had an expansive workout Sunday morning. He said he'll be "ready to go" Thursday. Legace's right knee receives constant attention, including days off when needed.
"I could play through it, and if it were the playoffs I would," Legace said. "We're trying to keep it smart" miss one game instead of missing a whole week. I don't want to let in a bad goal because of it. You let in two and it's 2-0, the team's deflated. The games are too important."
Last Tuesday, Legace got tangled up with a teammate in the corner of the rink and tweaked his right knee. The concern was that Legace had surgery on that same knee last spring.
Entering Monday, the surprising Blues are second in the Central Division with 33 points, including 10-3 at home.
"Manny is basically the reason why," Brad Boyes said.
"He's given us a chance to win every night. There hasn't been one game when he's let us down. There have been games we've let him down. So, he's definitely been our MVP ... our best player."
Legace is 11-6 with a 2.22 goals against average (9th in the NHL) and .918 save percentage (11th) this season.
Legace’s backup, Hannu Toivonen, has played the past four games and won two of them. However, Sunday against the Avalanche he was pounded, allowing eight goals on 25 shots. Colorado’s nine goals were the most in the NHL this season.
The Avalanche’s five goals in the second period were more goals than any team had scored in a full game against St. Louis this season. Coach Andy Murray pulled Toivonen from the game - twice.It was the Avalanche’s 1,000th win in franchise history, becoming the 19th team to accomplish the feat.
Colorado captain Joe Sakic missed all of the fun.
Sakic has missed five games in a row due to a groin injury and is questionable for Wednesday's game at Columbus. Bet on the game at WagerWeb.com.
GAME OFF FOR BRODEUR: Devils coach Brent Sutter said he won't make the decision until before game time, but it’s likely that New Jersey backup goaltender Kevin Weekes will make his fourth start of the season Monday in Washington.
Martin Brodeur started his 12th game in a row Sunday, while Weekes has not played since posting a 3-2 win Nov. 12 in Pittsburgh.
"We kicked around looking at certain days this month already where Marty might not play and Weeksie might," Sutter said.
New Jersey is +230 against the Capitals on WagerWeb.com, but that line could shift if Brodeur doesnâ?Tt play.
RECCHI CLAIMED: Former Penguins forward Mark Recchi, claimed off waivers by Atlanta on Saturday, is expected to practice with his new team for the first time on Tuesday.
Recchi, 39, had two goals and six assists in 19 appearances this season. He has 510 goals and 1,341 points in 1,357 games during his 19-year NHL career.
Atlanta is next in action Wednesday against Boston.
Bet on the game at WagerWeb.com.
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