Projected Lineup: March 8 at San Jose

UPDATE (8:43 p.m.): Carter Hutton suffered a neck injury Thursday and will not dress against the Sharks. Ville Husso has been recalled from the San Antonio Rampage and Ben Wexler - a former University of Illinois goaltender - will serve as the emergency backup in San Jose. Jake Allen will start in goal.
SAN JOSE - With Jay Bouwmeester out of the lineup for the rest of the season with a hip injury, Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong promised a bigger role for rookie Vince Dunn and a prime opportunity for Jordan Schmaltz.
Judging by Wednesday's team practice (the Blues held an optional skate before Thursday's game in San Jose), that's exactly what both players will get.

Vince Dunn was skating with Colton Parayko on the Blues' second defense pairing Wednesday, and Jordan Schmaltz was skating on the left side of Robert Bortuzzo to round out the Top 6.
"A bigger role for Dunner, a bigger role for (Carl Gunnarsson). Borts will end up getting more ice time, and obviously a guy like Schmaltzy, it's a good opportunity for him," Yeo said Wednesday. "I want to see that intensity from him, that sort of desire and confidence to show that he really belongs at this level… He spent a lot of time trying to get an opportunity as good as what's in front of him right now. I'm sure he recognizes that."

In addition, expect a new look for the fourth line tonight made up of Nikita Soshnikov, Oskar Sundqvist and Tage Thompson.
"It gives it a bit of a different identity in terms of we have a few guys that can make some plays and create some stuff," Yeo said. "They still have to be responsible. If you can get offense from your third and fourth line, you give yourself a good chance to win hockey games."
Here is the rest of the projected lineup for the game against the Sharks based on Wednesday's practice:

Forwards

Alexander Steen - Ivan Barbashev - Vladimir Tarasenko
Jaden Schwartz - Brayden Schenn - Dmitrij Jaskin
Vladimir Sobotka - Kyle Brodziak - Patrik Berglund
Nikita Soshnikov - Oskar Sundqvist - Tage Thompson

Defense

Carl Gunnarsson - Alex Pietrangelo
Vince Dunn - Colton Parayko
Jordan Schmaltz - Robert Bortuzzo

Goalie

Jake Allen