The St. Louis Blues are making changes to their forward lines and defense following a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Head coach Jim Montgomery plans to mix up combinations to boost offensive speed and reduce turnovers ahead of Saturday's game against the Dallas Stars.
The St. Louis Blues suffered a disappointing loss at home to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday, prompting head coach Jim Montgomery to overhaul the team's lineup for the upcoming game against the Dallas Stars on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT. The matchup will air on FanDuel Sports Network and 101 ESPN.
Montgomery announced the adjustments after Friday's practice, stating he would 'blender it up' with the forward lines. The new top line features Dylan Holloway, Robert Thomas and Jake Neighbours. This shifts Pavel Buchnevich, Pius Suter and Jimmy Snuggerud to the second line. Brayden Schenn will center Jordan Kyrou and Mathieu Joseph on the third line, while Alexandre Texier, Nick Bjugstad and Nathan Walker round out the fourth.
'Just want to see different people,' Montgomery said. 'You’re always going to go through a situation where we’re not generating enough offensively, we’re turning over too many pucks, it’s the way we are right now. I want to find more speed offensively, be a little more vertical on entries. We’re trying to put people together that compliment (each other) well. We thought we had that before, but the season is long, it might end up back that way in another two weeks. We know the way it has worked before.'
On defense, Montgomery is inserting Matthew Kessel for his season debut in place of Logan Mailloux. 'We’re thinking the long game with Logan Mailloux,' Montgomery explained. 'Sometimes you need a reset, you go up in the press box, watch a game, see how much time you have, see how to take away time. And we’re going to work with him, we have a plan and when he gets back in the lineup, I don’t ever expect him to come back out.'
The projected pairings are Cam Fowler with Colton Parayko, Philip Broberg with Justin Faulk, and Tyler Tucker with Matthew Kessel. Jordan Binnington is slated to start in goal.
Projected Lineup
Forwards:
- Dylan Holloway - Robert Thomas - Jake Neighbours
- Pavel Buchnevich - Pius Suter - Jimmy Snuggerud
- Mathieu Joseph - Brayden Schenn - Jordan Kyrou
- Alexandre Texier - Nick Bjugstad - Nathan Walker
Defense:
- Cam Fowler - Colton Parayko
- Philip Broberg - Justin Faulk
- Tyler Tucker - Matthew Kessel
Goalies:
- Jordan Binnington