St. Louis Blues in Week 4 were a mighty bounce-back story, going 3-0 on the week to erase the two tough losses they collected the week before. The team now sits with an 8-2-1 record, trailing the red-hot Dallas Stars for the Central Division lead.

The first of the three victories came against the Tampa Bay Lightning, in what ended up being a tight defensive match. Scott Gomez scored a first period goal that the Blues defended until sealing it until Troy Brouwer put in an empty netter, he finished the night with two points. It was Jake Allen’s first shut out of the season.

Next St. Louis handed the struggling Anaheim Ducks another loss, and a tough one at that. Another tight game and ultimately a heart breaker for the Ducks; rookie stud Colton Parayko scored the game winner on a weird bounce off the wall to beat Freddy Andersen.

Halloween night the Blues had a bit of revenge to dish out, and captain David Backes broke out to hand deliver it. The Minnesota Wild came to town for an OT grudge match, this budding rivalry continues to grow more and more exciting. The Blues even up the season series 1-1, getting a two goal performance by Captain America.

The Blues are pushing forward through some major injuries, and giving the team’s depth a true test of durability. The biggest story so far this year has been Colton Parayko, he’s got seven points in eleven contests. I doubt he will keep this scoring pace, a couple of his goals were more luck than supreme skill, but he sure makes the future look even brighter for St. Louis.

Jake Allen was named one of NHL.com’s ‘Three Stars’ of the week as stakes his claim on being the Blues number one goalie. He posted a 3-0-0 record with 0.98 GAA, .963 SV%, and a shut out. He is a big reason the team was able to keep it close in these tight defensive match ups.

In general, the Blues so far this season have been cool under pressure and able to win these one goal games. One would assume that once all the Blues offensive weapons are healthy they will be scoring a lot more goals. However, until then it’s great to see they can handle playing it close to the chest.

Things don’t get any easier in Week 5 for the Blues, another three games on the docket, all against some very formidable opposition. The good news is that Tarasenko will be suiting up Tuesday, hopefully with Kevin Shattenkirk not far behind him.

The Blues face two bitter rivals in LA and Chicago this upcoming week, followed by another divisional threat in Nashville. Riding high on their three game win streak, I think St. Louis will be able to beat two of these teams but not complete the sweep.

The Kings have had the Blues’ number in the past, and were on a seven game win streak before falling to Chicago Monday night. They struggled out of the gate but seem to have figured out their game, St. Louis will need to get by Jon Quick early to win this one. I anticipate another close and hard fought game for the boys in blue but I think they can pull out a win as long as they don’t let LA get under their skin, fingers crossed for a Backes/Lucic fight.

The second half of a back-to-back has St. Louis visiting Chicago in yet another rivalry match. Blues fans should always have games against the Hawks marked on their calendars. The Blues ended last year’s season series with two big wins over Chicago but how will they match up against the new look of the reigning Stanley Cup champions? I predict Tarasenko puts on a clinic and rips this game wide open to welcome the fresh blood from Chicago to the rivalry.

After two days of rest, the Blues will visit the Nashville Predators, this is the game I am most worried about this week. Despite the success of the new faces, I fear the depleted lineup for the Blues will end up being no match for Nashville’s defensive juggernaut. The Blues are still capable of winning this game, but I am predicting this to be the one they find defeat.

The St. Louis Blues go into Week 5 with an 8-2-1 record, hopefully next week we’ll be discussing that win column reaching double digits.