Blackhawks at Blues preview

BLACKHAWKS (4-1-1) at BLUES (4-2-0)
8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, NHL.TV

Center Nick Schmaltz is slated to returns for the Blackhawks after missing four games with an upper-body injury sustained early in the first period of a 5-1 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 7.

Players to watch

Forward Brandon Saad leads the Blackhawks with six goals and has the game-winner in each of Chicago's four victories.
Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko has points in five of his first six games (4-2-6). He's scored 12 goals in 20 games against the Blackhawks.

They said it

"They've got some key guys that have been out, but their defense has been a big part of their team. They've got some big defensemen that you notice out there. I still think it's going to be a competitive game, and every time you play St. Louis, you know it's a four-point swing. At the end of the year, these are valuable points. Got a lot of respect for how their team plays and how good they can be." -- Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville on St. Louis
"Tonight is going to be an exciting game. I'm glad I'm back for this one. First game home, guys have been on the road for a while, it will be nice to have this in front of our fans." -- Blues left wing Alexander Steen

Blackhawks projected lineup

Brandon Saad -- Jonathan Toews -- Richard Panik
Ryan Hartman -- Nick Schmaltz -- Patrick Kane
Patrick Sharp -- Artem Anisimov -- Alex DeBrincat
Lance Bouma -- Tommy Wingels -- John Hayden
Duncan Keith -- Brent Seabrook
Gustav Forsling -- Jan Rutta
Michal Kempny -- Connor Murphy
Corey Crawford
Anton Forsberg
Scratched:Cody Franson, Jordan Oesterle, Tanner Kero
Injured:None

Blues projected lineup

Alexander Steen -- Paul Stastny -- Vladimir Tarasenko
Jaden Schwartz -- Brayden Schenn -- Sammy Blais
Magnus Paajarvi -- Ivan Barbashev -- Vladimir Sobotka
Scottie Upshall -- Kyle Brodziak -- Dmitrij Jaskin
Carl Gunnarsson -- Alex Pietrangelo
Joel Edmundson -- Colton Parayko
Vince Dunn -- Robert Bortuzzo
Jake Allen
Carter Hutton
Scratched:Chris Thorburn, Oskar Sundqvist, Nate Prosser
Injured:Jay Bouwmeester (ankle), Patrik Berglund (shoulder), Zach Sanford (shoulder)

Status report

Schmaltz's return makes Kero a healthy scratch. ... With Steen activated off injured reserve, the Blues placed forward Wade Megan on waivers. ... The Blues held an optional skate and their lineup among the bottom-six forwards is fluid.

Stat pack

Kane (two goals, six assists), Saad (six goals, two assists) and Hartman (two goals, six assists) lead the Blackhawks with eight points. ... Schwartz (two goals, six assists) and Pietrangelo (two goals, six assists) lead the Blues with eight points. Each has a point in five of six games.