St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets Preview
The St. Louis Blues will be without forward Oskar Sundqvist when they face the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday at Canada Life Centre, as part of their ongoing three-game road trip. This matchup, scheduled for 7 p.m. and broadcast on FDSNMW and ESPN 101.1-FM, sees the Blues currently sitting at a 19-22-8 record; the Jets are just behind with a record of 19-23-6.
Injury Updates
Sundqvist’s absence follows an unfortunate incident where he sustained a skate cut near his ankle during a tough 5-0 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers. Although the initial reaction from Blues coach Jim Montgomery hinted at more severe concerns, the situation appears more manageable than first thought.
Joining Sundqvist on the sidelines is Illinois native Dylan Holloway, who recently returned from a high ankle sprain that caused him to miss 15 games. To ensure a smoother recovery process, he will not participate in Tuesday’s game, allowing him an additional three days off before the Blues next compete.
Projected Lineups
In light of these absences, Robby Fabbri and Jonatan Berggren are expected to fill in the roster for St. Louis. As for goalkeeping duties, Joel Hofer, who hails from Winnipeg and shares the NHL lead with four shutouts this season, will take the start. Hofer boasts an impressive 1.69 goals-against average alongside a .939 save percentage across six appearances against the Jets, who themselves are facing the challenge of a back-to-back set after a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
“The Blues will shift their strategies slightly from their last game, with notable adjustments including Fabbri and Berggren entering the mix.”
Projected Lineup for St. Louis Blues:
- Otto Stenberg – Brayden Schenn – Jimmy Snuggerud
- Jake Neighbours – Dalibor Dvorsky – Jordan Kyrou
- Pavel Buchnevich – Nick Bjugstad – Jonatan Berggren
- Alexey Toropchenko – Robby Fabbri – Nathan Walker
Defensive Pairings: Philip Broberg – Colton Parayko, Tyler Tucker – Justin Faulk, Cam Fowler – Logan Mailloux
Joel Hofer is slated to start, backed up by Jordan Binnington, while Matthew Kessel will be a healthy scratch. Other players sidelined include Holloway (load management), Pius Suter (high ankle sprain), Robert Thomas (lower body), Mathieu Joseph (elbow infection), and Sundqvist.
Projected Lineup for Winnipeg Jets:
- Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Alex Iafallo
- Cole Perfetti – Jonathan Toews – Gabriel Vilardi
- Nino Niederreiter – Adam Lowry – Vladislav Namestnikov
- Cole Koepke – Morgan Barron – Tanner Pearson
Defensive Pairings: Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo, Dylan Samberg – Luke Schenn, Isaak Phillips – Logan Stanley
Goaltending is expected to fall to Eric Comrie, with Connor Hellebuyck available as the backup. Possible scratches for the Jets may include Gustav Nyquist and Danil Zhilkin, while injuries prevent Haydn Fleury (back), Colin Miller (knee), Neal Pionk (undisclosed), and Elias Salomonsson (illness) from participating.
Coaching Changes
In addition to the game on Tuesday, changes have been made within the Blues coaching ranks, as Jim Montgomery will temporarily assume control of the power play unit, which has struggled and currently ranks 25th in the NHL. This follows the appointment of former associate coach Steve Ott as head coach of the AHL’s Springfield team, succeeding Steve Konowalchuk.
Stay Updated
For continued updates on the Blues, and other NHL news, consider subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter for access to a wealth of content and the latest developments in the league.
