Blues open exhibition schedule tonight at home

ST. LOUIS -- After only two days of training camp, the St. Louis Blues kick off their exhibition schedule with a 7 p.m. game today at Scottrade Center against the Minnesota Wild.

With so much competition for one or two open spots on defense, Blues coach Andy Murray is definitely giving the youngsters a chance during scrimmages.

Former No. 1 draft pick Alex Pietrangelo has been paired with veteran Darryl Sydor, with Sydor in camp on a tryout basis.

"Darryl Sydor's opportunity on our team is to be a mentor for our younger defensemen," Murray said. "What better possibility than to put him with Petro, who had a very good Traverse City tournament."

Murray also has newcomer Brendan Bell paired with veteran Mike Weaver, Steve Wagner with Erik Johnson and Tyson Strachan with Carlo Colaiacovo.

"That way we're giving them opportunities," Murray said. "All those guys are playing with pretty good forward lines, too."

Murray has a simple message for any rookies or young players hoping for a shot at the NHL roster: "Be a wedge and create a space for yourself."

"For the young guys, the first thing you do is don't look at what the lineup is," Murray said. "Don't look at your line combination for the scrimmage, or look at the other lines or figure geez, there's no chance here.

"Create a wedge for yourself. If there's a wall, what you've got to do is stick a wedge in to create a little space by doing something that makes them noticed. Then (they) open that spread up by digging in and pushing through."

BlueNotes

Ryan Reaves won the second training camp scrimmage game for the Wamsley team, deflecting in a shot late in the final period for a 3-2 victory.

Alex Steen had a pair of goals for the Shaw team, one of which was tapped into an empty net. The other was on a deflection from a point shot by Bell, giving Steen two goals and an assist in two scrimmage contests.

Winger Paul Kariya hit the goalpost with a shot for the Wamsley squad and helped create several good scoring opportunities on a line with Patrik Berglund and Brad Boyes.

Boyes and Chris Morehouse had the other Wamsley team goals.

Murray is wasting no time auditioning players for potential line combinations. Berglund is centering a potentially high scoring line with Kariya and Boyes on the wings.

"Paul Kariya's going to force Bergie and Brad to play fast," Murray said. "Brad and Paul can both get the puck to Bergie and he can shoot it, or Paul can get the puck to Brad and he can bury it. There's some possibilities there."

The other top lines are David Backes centering David Perron and Andy McDonald, along with Keith Tkachuk between T.J, Oshie and Brad Winchester.

Murray said one of his power-play units -- for now -- includes Boyes, Berglund, Kariya, Keith Tkachuk and Johnson.

Familiar face

Murray and veteran center Derek Armstrong have been reunited in St. Louis after Murray coached Armstrong previously with the Los Angeles Kings.

Armstrong is in camp with a two-way contract and could be insurance against an injury or potential help for the Blues. He's known as a responsible two-way center who had five goals and nine points in 56 games with the Kings last season.

"I know he had a lot higher offers to go other places," Murray said. "We like him. He's a good leader with young players, he's familiar with the coach. He's battling like everybody else to get ice time."

Murray said there were times when Armstrong, 36, was his top center in L.A. because of injuries.

"He worked his tail off and played hard," Murray said. "The players there loved him ... and he keeps the dressing room loose. He's the loudest guy on the ice and the loudest guy in the dressing room, but in a good way."