Oilers vs. Blues: Gameday Lineup Announced
As the St. Louis Blues prepare to host the Edmonton Oilers, the team welcomes back Robert Thomas. His return comes at a crucial moment as the Blues aim to break a seven-game winless streak against the Oilers on Monday at 7:30 p.m. The matchup will air on FDSNMW and ESPN 101.1-FM.
Oilers vs. Blues: Key Player Returns
Robert Thomas, the Blues’ No. 1 center, missed four games due to an upper-body injury. He sustained the injury during a collision on October 25 against the Detroit Red Wings. The Blues struggled in his absence, recording a disappointing 0-3-1 record.
Thomas expressed relief about his return, stating he is ready to contribute. “I’m happy it kind of came into fruition,” he said after participating in a practice session. Blues head coach Jim Montgomery emphasized the significance of Thomas returning to the lineup. He noted the impact on player matchups and overall team deployment.
Blues’ Strategy Against the Oilers
The challenge will be formidable, as the Oilers feature star players Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Thomas acknowledged the importance of being sharp defensively against such elite competition. “Any time you have two of the best players in the world coming in, you’ve got to be ready,” he remarked.
Lineup Changes for the Blues
With Thomas back, Nathan Walker will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season. Brayden Schenn will shift to the wing, while Dalibor Dvorsky will come into the lineup. Dvorsky, a recent first-round pick, has been assigned to the top power play unit, indicating the coaching staff’s confidence in his abilities.
Projected Lineups
Blues Projected Lineup:
- Pavel Buchnevich – Robert Thomas – Jimmy Snuggerud
- Brayden Schenn – Pius Suter – Jordan Kyrou
- Dylan Holloway – Dalibor Dvorsky – Oskar Sundqvist
- Alexey Toropchenko – Nick Bjugstad – Mathieu Joseph
Defense:
- Philip Broberg – Colton Parayko
- Cam Fowler – Justin Faulk
- Tyler Tucker – Matthew Kessel
Goalie: Jordan Binnington (starter); Joel Hofer (backup).
Oilers Projected Lineup:
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Connor McDavid – Andrew Mangiapane
- Vasily Podkolzin – Leon Draisaitl – Jack Roslovic
- Matthew Savoie – Adam Henrique – Trent Frederic
- Isaac Howard – Noah Philp – Curtis Lazar
Defense:
- Mattias Ekholm – Evan Bouchard
- Darnell Nurse – Jake Walman
- Brett Kulak – Ty Emberson
Goalie: Calvin Pickard (starter); Stuart Skinner (backup).
Outlook for the Game
The Blues are looking to build on their recent improvements. They had a positive third-period performance in their last game, which they hope to carry into this match. Montgomery believes that aggressive forechecking will be key against the Oilers. “If we keep playing this way, we will create more scoring opportunities,” he stated.
As both teams gear up for an exciting matchup, fans will be eager to see if the Blues can finally secure a win and halt their losing streak against a strong Oilers team.
