Pavel Buchnevich (89), Robert Thomas (18) and the St. Louis Blues will put their nine-game winning streak on the line on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. (Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/09a6db0d-4746-409d-a776-41a7b6781055.jpeg] Pavel Buchnevich (89), Robert Thomas (18) and the St. Louis Blues will put their nine-game winning streak on the line on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. (Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images) ST. LOUIS – Jimmy Snuggerud will make his NHL debut for the St. Louis Blues [http://thn.com/stlouis] (40-28-7) when put their nine-game winning streak on the line to open a three-game homestand against the Detroit Red Wings [http://thn.com/detroit] (34-33-6) at 7 p.m. (FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM). “Snuggerud’s going to play tonight, his first NHL game,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “We’re excited to see how he’s going to help us. “’Do what you do best and what got you here, and enjoy the moment.’ It’s a special moment and if you’re a highly-competitive player, make sure you really compete hard. If you’re a goal scorer, don’t pass up shots. If you’re a defensive player and you finish checks, finish five checks tonight. Do what you do best.” The 20-year-old and No. 23 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, who signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday after his junior season at the University of Minnesota ended at the Fargo Regional on Thursday, skated with the Blues for the first time on Monday and skated on a line with Oskar Sundqvist and Zack Bolduc. “Conversations, just getting to know him too,” Blues captain Brayden Schenn said regarding making Snuggerud feel comfortable. “I’ve never really met him before. I’ve met him once in Minnesota earlier this year and that’s it. Hear a lot about him, same agent and stuff [Ben Hankinson], I hear he’s a great kid, a guy that obviously is well-liked by his teammates. He’s going to be quiet initially. That’s the reality of coming into pro sports being a young guy. You just kind of talk to him and if he has any questions, you’re there to answer them.” Snuggerud, who had 24 goals and 27 assists in 40 games with the Golden Gophers this season, also will get time on the power play in the bumper. Snuggerud said he’s played bumper, “A little bit. I’ve played it growing up with the national team a little bit. I’ve been in some scenarios up there, but it really makes it easy playing bumper when you’re with four other really good players out there, so it was really fun.” As for using him as a bumper to start and not for the one-time threat, Montgomery said, “I don’t know, it’s the first time he’s probably been in a bumper, to be honest, and beggars can’t be choosers with the way our power play’s been. But that being said, he did a really good job there. He supported pucks well, you can tell his brain (that) he understands time and space. He’s a scorer and a shooter and those guys know how to get open. They’ve been getting open their whole lives. You could see his puck support and release are ideal for the bumper position.” He will become the third Golden Gopher to play in the NHL and make his debut after college teammates Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel each made his debut with the Chicago Blackhawks [http://thn.com/chicago] on Sunday. “I’ve talked to Oliver Moore and ‘Rinzy’ [Sunday] night after their game and just see how it went for them,” Snuggerud said. “Obviously they both had a good game. I thought ‘Rinzy’ stood out a lot. He’s a strong player and he’s had that skating ability and ‘Mooresy’ made strong plays throughout the whole game. “It’s nice to know you have your teammates going through that too. Matthew Wood is signed with Nashville now. It’s awesome to see them doing well and in their programs.” Bolduc, who was in a similar position not too long ago as the No. 17 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, is looking forward to playing with Snuggerud. “For sure I can help him,” Bolduc said. “I’ve been though it not a long time ago. It’s exciting. [Tonight’s] going to be his first NHL game. It’s a dream-come-true and just got to enjoy it. You’re kind of blacked out on those days and try to enjoy it as much as you can, just work on the ice. It’s all about trying to enjoy the first one. “He’s a good skater and he’s smart. If I put myself in his shoes, probably a little stressed, but it’s part of it. It’s part of the experience of that first game, that excitement. He’s a good player and he can shoot it too. I’m looking forward to playing with him. “He’s a good player. He’s smart, he’s working hard and he can shoot it. … We’ve got a great line and just looking forward to it [tonight].” - - - Blues Projected Lineup: Jake Neighbours-Robert Thomas-Pavel Buchnevich Dylan Holloway-Brayden Schenn-Jordan Kyrou Zack Bolduc-Oskar Sundqvist-Jimmy Snuggerud Alexey Toropchenko-Radek Faksa-Nathan Walker Cam Fowler-Nick Leddy Philip Broberg-Justin Faulk Ryan Suter-Tyler Tucker Jordan Binnington will start in goal; Joel Hofer will be the backup. Healthy scratches include Matthew Kessel, Dalibor Dvorsky, Alexandre Texier and Mathieu Joseph. Colton Parayko (knee) is out. Torey Krug (ankle) is out for the season. - - - Red Wings Projected Lineup: Alex DeBrincat-Dylan Larkin-Patrick Kane Michael Rasmussen-Marco Kasper-Lucas Raymond Jonatan Berggren-J.T. Compher-Vladimir Tarasenko Craig Smith-Tyler Motte-Austin Watson Ben Chiarot-Moritz Seider Simon Edvinsson-Justin Holl Albert Johansson-Jeff Petry Cam Talbot will start in goal; Alex Lyon will be the backup. Healthy scratches include William Lagesson and Dominik Shine. Andrew Copp (upper body), Elmer Soderblom (undisclosed), Erik Gustafsson (undisclosed) and Petr Mrazek (upper body) are out.
