Hossa gets hit by Polak

The St. Louis Blues were stopped by Detroit’s Chris Osgood who recorded his first shutout of the season in a 5-0 loss that leaves the Blues four points out of the playoffs with the NHL trade deadline set for 2pm Wednesday.

Osgood stopped 22 shots for his 299th victory with the Central Division leaders, who have won three of four and are 3-0-1 against St. Louis this season.  Blues goalie Chris Mason had a strong outing going in the first two periods before slipping with three goals in the third period, ending a five game streak in which he allowed one goal per game.

3Hossa_picnik.jpg The Blues came in fired up.  Roman Polak knocked Marion Hossa out of the game with a crushing hit along the boards (Bill Greenblatt, UPI).  All tests on Hossa appear to be fine which is great news.  Tomas Kopecky had a goal and two assists. Kopecky scored short-handed and Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall and Valtteri Filppula had power-play goals for the Red Wings.

Janssen and Downey Cam Janssen also tangled with Aaron Downey for several minutes, but goal Chris Mason said after the Hossa injury, the Blues went flat.

Now, it’s decision for the Blues.  They were playing well coming into the game with a three game winning streak that left them just three points out of a playoff spot.  Now, sitting four points out, Blues president John Davidson must make a decision on the team’s plans for Wednesday’s trade deadline.

They should stand pat.  I don’t expect big moves.  I think they’ll hold onto Keith Tkachuk and I don’t think they’ll trade for a veteran.  Chris Pronger’s name has come up as a trade rumor.  They’re playing good hockey, they have a lot of young stars, shaking up the roster at this point would do more harm than good.  Ride out the season on make a push for the playoffs with what the Blues have.