After losing five straight, the Blues did not want to go up against a team going in the other direction. Unfortunately, they went up against division rivals Chicago who have been 8-2-0 in their last ten games.

Although GM Gareth Evans has the utmost respect for the two Chicago GMs, he prefers to win games than friends. The game was physical with there being the same amount of hits as there were shots. Although Chicago outshot the Blues 25-24, the Blues outhit Chicago 28-21.

After both teams went scoreless in the first despite two powerplays each, Marian Gaborik put Chicago on the board as he intercepted a cross-ice pass, broke in alone and beat Nabokov through his five-hole.

The game began to deteriorate with Barnes taking a penalty late in the second for high-sticking which set up a rough third period. Peca tied the game less than three minutes into the period and after Nabokov covered up the puck, Mark Streit came in late and took a swing at Boyle. Once Streit left the box, Hamilton went after Streit and took a penalty for elbowing. Dumont went after Hamilton, Boyle went after Vermette and Sturm went after Staal. After the mess was sorted out, the Blues were on a 4 on 3 powerplay and Miroslav Satan got to play the hero.

With Smyth returning from injury sooner than expected (due to Christmas break), he remains stuck on IR for 7 more games. However, Miroslav Satan is trying to wrestle the 2nd line spot from Smyth. Satan scored the game winner with less than 5 minutes to go.

"It was almost like a playoff atmosphere out there, sell-out crowd cheering and jeering, was great to see and hopefully we'll see more of it in the post-season." [Staal]

The jeering was towards Alexander Frolov who was traded to Chicago last season, leading the Blackhawks to the post-season while the Blues missed out. "We had a deal to go out and acquire two quality players for basically one, it was for the best for the team at the time and I don't regret it." [Evans]