St. Louis Blues vs. Minnesota Wild Game 3 Preview: Blues Look to Take Lead as Series Shifts to Road

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Blues’ Projected Lineup

Forwards

Jaden Schwartz–Paul Stastny–T.J. Oshie

Alexander Steen-Jori Lehtera–Vladimir Tarasenko

Dmitrij Jaskin–David Backes–Patrik Berglund

Steve Ott-Marcel Goc-Ryan Reaves

Defensemen

Carl Gunnarsson–Alex Pietrangelo

Jay Bouwmeester-Zbynek Michalek

Barret Jackman–Kevin Shattenkirk

Goalie: Jake Allen

Scratches: Olli Jokinen, Chris Porter, Ty Rattie, Robert Bortuzzo, Chris Butler, Niklas Lundstrom

UPDATE, 12:18 PM: Despite Hitchcock’s suggestion that there would be alterations in the Blues’ lineup, it will remain exactly the same as it’s been throughout the series.

Ken Hitchcock divulged no info about the Blues’ lineup plans for Monday, but insinuated that there would be changes as the series shifts to Minnesota. One of those changes is likely to be the insertion of defenseman Robert Bortuzzo, who has been one of the team’s key players since his acquisition from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline and will provide a needed physical presence on the road. He would likely replace either Carl Gunnarsson or Zbynek Michalek, and since Michalek took part in the team’s optional skate on Sunday, he may be the odd man out on Monday.

It’s very possible that the forward pairings will stay the same, but adding Chris Porter to the mix would add a quality dose of speed and physicality which would be a particularly strong asset in an away game. Porter, who spent much of his youth in Minnesota, has seen frequent action when the Blues have visited the Wild, and he could step in for Marcel Goc, who has had some hiccups thus far during the postseason, with Steve Ott shifting to the center position on the fourth line.

Next: Wild Projected Lineup