(Sports Network) - The St. Louis Blues will begin the Andy Murray era this evening, as they welcome the Chicago Blackhawks to the Scottrade Center.
The Blues, who are in the midst of a season-long seven-game losing streak, decided to fire head coach Mike Kitchen on Monday and replace him with Murray.
Murray, who previously guided Los Angeles from 1999-2006, ranks first in Kings history in both wins (215) and games coached (480). He was also the second- fastest to reach the 100-win plateau as Kings head coach.
Kitchen, who was named head coach in February, 2004, was only able to lead the Blues to a 7-17-4 record this season, worst in the Western Conference.
St. Louis' most recent setback came Saturday evening against the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Fedorov had two goals and an assist to help the Blue Jackets earn the 5-1 win in the Gateway City.
Bill Guerin scored the lone goal and Jason Bacashihua made 19 saves for the Blues, who haven't won since a 3-2 shootout victory over Detroit on November 24.
St. Louis' current skid is still well behind the franchise record 13-game losing streak set from March 16-April 8 of last season.
The Blues will once again be without forward Dallas Drake for tonight's game. Drake will serve the final test of a two-game suspension for delivering a hit to the head of Detroit defenseman Brett Lebda in last Thursday's game.
Chicago, meanwhile, is coming off Sunday's victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
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The Blues, who are in the midst of a season-long seven-game losing streak, decided to fire head coach Mike Kitchen on Monday and replace him with Murray.
Murray, who previously guided Los Angeles from 1999-2006, ranks first in Kings history in both wins (215) and games coached (480). He was also the second- fastest to reach the 100-win plateau as Kings head coach.
Kitchen, who was named head coach in February, 2004, was only able to lead the Blues to a 7-17-4 record this season, worst in the Western Conference.
St. Louis' most recent setback came Saturday evening against the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Fedorov had two goals and an assist to help the Blue Jackets earn the 5-1 win in the Gateway City.
Bill Guerin scored the lone goal and Jason Bacashihua made 19 saves for the Blues, who haven't won since a 3-2 shootout victory over Detroit on November 24.
St. Louis' current skid is still well behind the franchise record 13-game losing streak set from March 16-April 8 of last season.
The Blues will once again be without forward Dallas Drake for tonight's game. Drake will serve the final test of a two-game suspension for delivering a hit to the head of Detroit defenseman Brett Lebda in last Thursday's game.
Chicago, meanwhile, is coming off Sunday's victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
FULL STORY
