NHL Saturday: Blues outlast Blackhawks

There is no mercy in the Central Division, only breathlessness and brutality.

No, the top teams are the Blues and Blackhawks. And if one of those other teams is lucky enough to crack the top three in the Central they still have to get past the clubs that put on an offensive show at the Scottrade Center on Saturday. It makes you wonder whether the three teams that make the playoffs from the Central will be too bruised and battered to compete come playoff time.

This is tough news for the Islanders, who are in the middle of a dismal 3-10-5 stretch. Tavares leads the team with 39 points, 13 goals and 26 assists. Nelson, on the other hand, has just nine points in 28 games this season. So the Islanders can only hope Tavares isn’t out for more than a game.

• The Rink of Dreams: One Mich. family created an outdoor hockey paradise

Anaheim is literally unstoppable at the Honda Center with a sparkling 13-0-2 record. It’s a tall task; the Ducks are looking for their 10th consecutive win on Saturday and have won their first three games against the ‘Yotes this season. Phoenix has a knack for keeping games close, but can they get the timely goals they need to put the Ducks away?

• The Rink of Dreams: One Mich. family created an outdoor hockey paradise