"The Blues began the month of January intent on "banking." Our economy should be so diligent.

After losing to Pittsburgh in a shootout Tuesday, the Blues start an extensive All-Star break with nine days off before they play host to Los Angeles on Feb. 3. Like the hard-working ant in Aesop's fables, the Blues have stored away points for the cold part of the season ahead.

The stockpile features 16 of 18 possible points in nine home games (7-0-2) during January, and 18 of a possible 22 points overall (8-1-2). The segment didn't end lucratively, as the Blues deposited only one of four possible points in back-to-back games with Detroit and Pittsburgh. Still, all in all, even the fabled grasshopper might appreciate the prudent work.

"We needed to bank points, it wasn't a question of wanting to bank points," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "Look, we've had a really good first half. We wanted to finish it off, but we're not going to lose sight that we had a very good first half.""