Avalanche expecting the rough stuff again from Blues

SAINT LOUIS – Given the heavy travel schedule of late, the Avalanche rolled out another optional skate this morning and while most of the team participated, several decided to take the option for additional rest.

Colorado followed their four-game eastern trip with one whole game at home before leaving again for another road game, this time here in St. Louis to take on the Blues. Two teams faced off in Denver back on November 30 with the Blues winning 3-2 in overtime.

The travel has taken its toll on the road-weary Avalanche, thus the abundance of rest the team has been given this week.

“It’s been tough” Avalanche forward Tyson Jost said. “It’s all part of it so you get used to it. You get to be with the guys a lot and that’s nice but it’s definitely nice to be able to sleep in your own bed the last couple nights but we’ve got tonight’s task first. We’re expecting another hard and heavy game against St. Louis.”

Despite all that, the Avalanche are coming off two losses in which they’ve been outscored 13-5. The Avalanche are giving Semyon Varlamov, who has given up eight of those 13 goals before being pulled in each game, the night off. Philipp Grubauer gets the start tonight. The morning was spent with the Avalanche making a point not to overlook a feisty Blues team just because their record has them 28th in the NHL coming into tonight’s game.

“St. Louis is a really good team,” Jost told BSN Denver. “Their record obviously isn’t what they would like but they’re a really skilled team up front and play heavy and hard. You saw that against us. They had a great game and it was tough to play against. We’re expecting that again tonight.

We talked about it this morning. We’re not taking these guys lightly. We know they’re a good team. We saw what they brought.”

The game in Denver between these two teams was filled with a certain physical element you don’t see from many regular season games in this version of the NHL. The game included regular post-whistle scrums and even saw defenseman Erik Johnson hit with a major elbowing penalty and a game misconduct. If the rough stuff continues tonight, the Avalanche are prepared.

“A couple teams have tried it,” Jost said of the physical approach. “Detroit tried the same thing and we saw what happened. We’re just going to play between the whistles and not get distracted. Maybe they’ll do that again, maybe they won’t. We’re going to stick to our game plan.”

As for Jost personally, his scoring has continued to be an enigma. Upon returning from injury, he scored eight points in 10 games but has gone scoreless in his last six games.

“I went through a stretch where I was putting up point,” Jost said. “These last few games I’ve kind of taken a dip but that’s not something I’m getting frustrated with. I’m getting my chances and it’s just a matter of time here.”

Getting his chances is right has he came within inches of scoring twice against Edmonton on Wednesday night in Colorado’s 6-4 loss. One shot slipped through the legs of Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen only to find the post and the other was a point-blank wrister where Koskinen robbed Jost with the glove.

“Boy, did I ever [get robbed],” Jost said with a laugh. “Come on, give me something! But if I just keep working hard, those will go in for me.”

Game Notes

• As mentioned, Philipp Grubauer does get the start tonight. That sets up Varlamov to start tomorrow night back in Denver against the Dallas Stars
• The lineup as a whole is expected to be the same as against Edmonton
• Johnson told a St. Louis outlet this morning his major penalty from November 30 was actually rescinded by the league