Kostin, who has two goals in two games this season, is expected to be on the top line Saturday with Ryan O'Reilly and David Perron.
"I've liked Klim. He's going to keep learning," Blues Head Coach Craig Berube said. "He's creating opportunities offensively and I think he's been doing a good job defensively, being in the right spots, getting back, working back, tracking back and things like that. We'll see. We'll give him a look there [with O'Reilly and Perron]. With that line, you know what kind of line it is. Perron and O'Reilly want to forecheck, they want to puck possess in the offensive zone. That's their game. I think it would suit Klim. He can get on the forecheck, be physical for them, create loose pucks and go to the net for them. That's kind of how we're looking at that."
Clifford, an 11-year NHL veteran, played 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Kings before a short stint in Toronto and then signing with the St. Louis Blues in 2020. The team's forward depth has kept Clifford out of the lineup so far, but he is expected to play in his first game of the season on Saturday.
"He works extremely hard, his attitude is great," Berube said of Clifford. "It's hard to find a guy that works harder on the ice. He keeps himself ready to go and he understands the situation."
Below is a projected lineup based on Friday's team practice at Enterprise Center.
