Blues end three-game trip in search of first after 4-2 setback to Mammoth on Friday; Binnington likely starter
The St. Louis Blues (17-20-8) will try to salvage a game to end a three-game road trip when they conclude it on Saturday against the Vegas Golden Knights (19-11-12) at 9 p.m. (FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM).
The Blues are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Friday and have lost two straight, including a trip-opening 7-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.
The Blues didn't necessarily play poorly Friday, outshooting Utah 28-23 in the game but were done i by a lack of coverage at the net front and once again: special teams, going 0-for-4 on an anemic power play that is now 0-for-17 the past six games and a penalty kill that has allowed four goals on seven attempts this trip and has allowed a goal in eight of the past 13 games.
It's the third and final meeting between the teams this season and the Blues' only visit to Vegas. The teams split two games in St. Louis, with the Blues winning the latest, 4-3 on Jan. 2.
Blues coach Jim Montgomery spoke pregame to address any lineup changes since the Blues did not hold a morning skate and will keep the same lineup once again, other than Jordan Binnington will get the nod after Joel Hofer made 19 saves on Friday.
We know Robert Thomas left in the third period after smacking his head on the ice but did return, and for the second straight game this trip, Jimmy Snuggerud had at least 10 shot attempts with 11 on Friday (five shots on goal, two blocked and four missing the net).
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Blues Projected Lineup:
Jake Neighbours-Robert Thomas-Jordan Kyrou
Pavel Buchnevich-Brayden Schenn-Jimmy Snuggerud
Otto Stenberg-Dalibor Dvorsky-Jonatan Berggren
Alexey Toropchenko-Robby Fabbri-Nathan Walker
Philip Broberg-Colton Parayko
Tyler Tucker-Justin Faulk
Cam Fowler-Logan Mailloux
Jordan Binnington will start in goal; Joel Hofer will be the backup.
Healthy scratches include Mathieu Joseph, Robby Fabbri and Matthew Kessel. Pius Suter (high ankle sprain), Dylan Holloway (high ankle sprain) and Nick Bjugstad (upper body) are out.
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Golden Knights Projected Lineup:
Ivan Barbashev-Jack Eichel-Mark Stone
Reilly Smith-Mitch Marner-Pavel Dorofeyev
Brett Howden-Tomas Hertl-Keegan Kolesar
Cole Reinhardt-Colton Sissons-Braeden Bowman
Noah Hanifin-Zach Whitecloud
Jeremy Lauzon-Shea Theodore
Ben Hutton-Kaeden Korczak
Akird Schmid will start in goal; Carter Hart will be the backup.
Healthy scratches include Jaycob Megna and Alexander Holtz. Adin Hill (lower body), William Karlsson (lower body), Brayden McNabb (upper body) and Brandon Saad (undisclosed) are out.
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