Sliding Blues have dropped three straight, continue to fall in Western Conference standings; Kessel recalled, to return to lineup against Bruins; Bannister shaking up lines
It's blender time for the St. Louis Blues as they close out a season-long five-game road trip against the Boston Bruins on Monday at 6 p.m. (BSMW, ESPN 101.1-FM).
It's no secret that the Blues (32-29-3), who have lost three straight and continue to plummet in the Western Conference wild card race to the point of no return, are struggling in many aspects.
And scoring is one of them, right at the forefront.
So interim coach Drew Bannister has thrown the lines, particularly the top six, into full blender mode, moving Brayden Schenn up to play wing with Robert Thomas, who did not skate this morning but is expected to play, and Jordan Kyrou; Pavel Buchnevich, if you haven't heard, wasn't traded and will center and be flanked by kids Zachary Bolduc and Jake Neighbours.
Schenn has matched his career-worst drought for goal-scoring (set earlier this season) having gone 16 straight games without a goal; his last came Jan. 28 in overtime of a 4-3 win against the Los Angeles Kings.
The Blues have been outscored 12-1 the past 2.5 games since leading the New York Islanders 2-0 midway through that game last Tuesday and can't seem to find shot volume, let alone scoring goals.
Also, Matthew Kessel, who was recalled from Springfield of the American Hockey League on Sunday and made the short drive down to Beantown, will be back in the lineup and play alongside Torey Krug; Justin Faulk, who has struggled, moves down to play alongside Scott Perunovich and veteran Marco Scandella will be a healthy scratch.
Joel Hofer will get the start after Jordan Binnington started the past two games against the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers.
* Prior to the game, the Blues recalled forward Zach Dean from the Thunderbirds.
Dean, a first-round pick (30th overall) of the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021 acquired last season for forward Ivan Barbashev, had 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in 47 games for Springfield this season but nine of those points (six goals, three assists) in the past 12 games.
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The Blues' projected lineup:
Brayden Schenn-Robert Thomas-Jordan Kyrou
Zachary Bolduc-Pavel Buchnevich-Jake Neighbours
Brandon Saad-Kevin Hayes-Kasperi Kapanen
Alexey Toropchenko-Oskar Sundqvist-Nathan Walker
Nick Leddy-Colton Parayko
Torey Krug-Matthew Kessel
Scott Perunovich-Justin Faulk
Joel Hofer will start in goal; Jordan Binnington will be the backup.
Healthy scratches include Marco Scandella, Tyler Tucker, Sammy Blais, Nikita Alexandrov and Zach Dean. The Blues report no injuries.
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The Bruins' projected lineup:
Brad Marchand-Charlie Coyle-Jake DeBrusk
Danton Heinen-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak
James van Riemsdyk-Morgan Geekie-Trent Frederic
Jakub Lauko-Jesper Boqvist-Justin Brazeau
Matt Grzelcyk-Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Carlo
Mason Lohrei-Kevin Shattenkirk
Jeremy Swayman will start in goal; Linus Ullmark will be the backup.
Healthy scratches include Andrew Peeke and Parker Wotherspoon. Pat Maroon (back) is out.
