Facing a grueling back-to-back, the St. Louis Blues are gearing up for a Saturday night showdown against the Vegas Golden Knights (7 p.m. face-off, broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network and 101 ESPN). But can they pull off a win after a potentially exhausting previous game?
Here’s the scoop: Coach Jim Montgomery has announced some key roster changes, with Joel Hofer set to guard the net. Nick Bjugstad and Tyler Tucker are also rejoining the lineup, stepping in for Mathieu Joseph and Hunter Skinner, respectively. These fresh legs could be exactly what the Blues need.
Now, because the team held an optional morning skate, the exact line combinations remain a bit of a mystery. Montgomery himself admitted he hadn’t locked everything down. And this is the part most people miss: Even an optional skate can throw off predictions, making it tough to anticipate the final lineup.
So, based on Friday’s game against Philadelphia, coupled with Montgomery’s confirmed personnel switches, here’s our projected lineup. Keep in mind, though, that things can change right up until pregame warmups, and we’ll update this if any surprises emerge!
PROJECTED LINEUP vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Forwards:
- Pavel Buchnevich – Robert Thomas – Jimmy Snuggerud
- Dylan Holloway – Dalibor Dvorsky – Jordan Kyrou
- Brayden Schenn – Pius Suter – Nick Bjugstad
- Alexey Toropchenko – Oskar Sundqvist – Nathan Walker
Defense:
- Philip Broberg – Colton Parayko
- Cam Fowler – Justin Faulk
- Tyler Tucker – Matthew Kessel
Goalie:
- Joel Hofer
But here’s where it gets controversial… Are these the right moves? Some might argue that shifting Joseph out disrupts team chemistry, while others will say Tucker’s defensive grit is essential against a high-powered Vegas offense. It’s always a gamble!
Ultimately, Montgomery’s choices will determine whether the Blues can overcome fatigue and secure a crucial victory.
What do you think of these projected lines? Do you agree with Montgomery’s decisions, or would you make different changes? Let us know in the comments below! And this is a big question: is Hofer the right choice in goal over Binnington, given the back-to-back situation? We want to hear your take!