Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Blues’ Projected Lineup
Forwards
Alexander Steen-David Backes–T.J. Oshie
Jaden Schwartz–Jori Lehtera–Vladimir Tarasenko
Steve Ott–Paul Stastny–Patrik Berglund
Dmitrij Jaskin-Marcel Goc–Ryan Reaves
Defensemen
Carl Gunnarsson–Alex Pietrangelo
Jay Bouwmeester–Robert Bortuzzo
Barret Jackman–Kevin Shattenkirk
Goalie:Jake Allen
Scratches:Olli Jokinen,Chris Porter,Ty Rattie,Zbynek Michalek,Chris Butler, Niklas Lundstrom
Blues coach Ken Hitchcock didn’t divulge any information about if there would be lineup changes following Game 3, but one can only assume that with the lackluster effort the team delivered something will change. With as impactful as defenseman Robert Bortuzzo was for the club down the stretch, one would think that he has to get a chance in Game 4 with the Blues’ backs up against the wall. He’d likely replace a veteran amongJay Bouwmeester, Zbynek Michalek, andBarret Jackman. Michalek would make the most sense among those three to be a healthy scratch considering that he was a minus player on Monday and, like Bortuzzo, is a righthanded shot. However, Jackman may end up being the scapegoat since he generally plays on the bottom defensive pairing.
Since Dmitrij Jaskin saw just 8:45 of ice time on Monday night and has registered just one shot through the first three playoff games, it’s easy to see Hitchcock exercising a quick hook on him on Wednesday. Jaskin could be replaced by Chris Porter, who would add a much-needed dose of grit and quickness to the Blues’ lineup, two qualities that they severely lacked on Monday.
Next: Wild Projected Lineup
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