As the St. Louis Blues close out their March slate at home against the San Jose Sharks (7 p.m. CT, Bally Sports Midwest Extra, 101 ESPN), Head Coach Drew Bannister is expected to make one change to the forward lines following Thursday’s 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames.
Nathan Walker is expected to slot into the center spot on the fourth line, with Sammy Blais expected to re-enter the lineup for Zach Dean.
Blais, who has seven points in 45 games this season, will join the lineup for the first time since a 4-0 loss against the New York Rangers on March 9.
“He [Blais] plays a heavy game…” Bannister said. “I want to see him hold on to pucks and use his shot, but get to the net and go to the hard areas, and help our team out in those areas where he can be effective.”
The Blues are currently on the hunt for every possible point as they sit just five points behind L.A. in the Western Conference Wild Card race with nine games left to play this season.
“We can’t play down to our opponents here tonight and find ourselves in a position where we’re hoping that we can win a hockey game," Bannister said. "We have to put the hammer down here tonight and we have to be the better team from the first period right through to the third.”
In addition to the change on the fourth line, Joel Hofer is expected to make his 24th start in net for the Blues this season.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Forwards
Pavel Buchnevich - Robert Thomas - Jake Neighbours
Brandon Saad - Brayden Schenn - Jordan Kyrou
Zack Bolduc - Kevin Hayes - Alexey Toropchenko
Sammy Blais - Nathan Walker - Kasperi Kapanen
Defense
Nick Leddy - Colton Parayko
Torey Krug - Matthew Kessel
Scott Perunovich - Justin Faulk
Goalie
Joel Hofer
