(10-30-10) Thrashers-Blues Gameday Lineup

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues were looking for an opportunity to get a chance to see a familiar face tonight.

But with the Atlanta Thrashers playing on Friday night, Chris Mason will have to wait another day to face his former teammates.

Mason, who was replaced here in St. Louis with the trade for Jaroslav Halak, will make his first appearance in a Thrashers uniform tonight when they face the Blues at 7 p.m. (FSN, KMOX 1120-AM).

Mason was instrumental in the resurgence of the Blues' franchise the two years he was here but could not come to terms on a contract and signed in Atlanta for two years and $3.7 million after the Blues made the deal for Halak.

"I think everybody in the room loved Mase," Blues winger B.J. Crombeen said. "he's a great guy to have around the rink. He did a lot for the organization and the team.

"It's sad to see a guy like him go, but he's doing well in Atlanta."

- - -

Blues coach Davis Payne says the tonight's lineup will not change as far as the forwards are concerned, as the Blues look to make it four in a row:

David Perron-David Backes-T.J. Oshie

Andy McDonald-Patrik Berglund-Brad Boyes

Alex Steen-Jay McClement-Matt D'Agostini

Brad Winchester-Vladimir Sobotka-B.J. Crombeen

Carlo Colaiacovo, injured late in the game Thursday at Nashville following a hit from Jordin Tootoo, will not play tonight. Nathan Oystrick, recalled from Peoria Thursday, will make his Blues debut tonight.

The defensive pairings with Colaiacovo out include:

Eric Brewer-Erik Johnson

Barret Jackman-Alex Pietrangelo

Nathan Oystrick-Tyson Strachan

I asked Strachan if he had anything nice to say about Oystrick. He joked, "He's from Saskatchewan. That gives him high marks right there, eh?"

Both Oystrick and Strachan are from Saskatchewan, Oystrick from Regina and Strachan from Melfort.

Jaroslav Halak (5-1-1, 1.55 GAA, .939 save percentage) will look to continue a shutout streak (151 minutes, 10 seconds) that include back-to-back shutouts.

The team record for most consecutive shutout minutes came from Manny Legace in 2007-08, with 186:15.

- - -

The Thrashers (5-4-1) did not skate this morning after winning in overtime Friday night at home against Buffalo.

Their tentative lines include:

Andrew Ladd-Nik Antropov-Niclas Bergfors

Evander Kane-Alex Burmistrov-Fredrik Modin

Eric Boulton-Rich Peverley-Anthony Stewart

Ben Eager-Jim Slater-Chris Thorburn

The d-pairings include:

Zach Bogosian-Johnny Oduya

Tobias Enstrom-Dustin Byfuglien

Ron Hainsey-Brent Sopel

Ondrej Pavelec will make his first appearance since opening night, when he suddenly collapsed in his goal crease a little over two minutes into the game. Pavelec was recalled from Chicago of the AHL Thursday and will step in.