(2-22-21) Kings-Blues Gameday Lineup

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- If this were a couple expecting news on conception of a child, it would be a major disappointment. 

But in the case of the Blues, they were never more happier with a false positive.

That's the news they received Sunday on a Sammy Blais test confirming that he did not test positive for COVID-19 and he will be in the lineup when the Blues (10-6-2) host the Los Angeles Kings (7-6-3) at 7 p.m. (FS-MW, ESPN 101.1-FM).

Blais, who became the first Blues player to be entered onto the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list on Saturday, forcing him to miss a 5-4 loss to the San Jose Sharks, is good to go after receiving a series of negative follow-ups.

"False positive," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "We're fortunate there. We escaped one, which is good. We need the bodies right now, too."

It wasn't much of process for Blais, but he did need to isolate himself immediately until the negative tests confirmed the false positive, which was a relief for his teammates.

"We got that information yesterday, I think it was," center Oskar Sundqvist said. "Obviously he got isolated as soon as he got that first positive test, if we want to call it that, then he got two negatives. Ray and the trainers are doing a great job with everything and keeping everyone as safe as possible. We have our trust in them and they've been doing a terrific job so far."

"It's a sigh of relief," defenseman Robert Bortuzzo said. "These things happen. We have an understanding of what this year is like and we adapt. It's great news."

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Center Tyler Bozak was a surprise add to the group this morning for the morning skate, but welcomed news for the Blues.

Bozak hasn't played since he was injured on a blindside hit from Mark Stone against Vegas Jan. 26. He's missed the past 11 games.

"We’ll see after practice today how he felt and we’ll go off of that," Berube said. "Hopefully he doesn’t have any issues and he feels good, then he can get more of a practice tomorrow and keep building off that, and we’ll see where he’s at in a couple days."

Considering the Blues, who are missing Vladimir Tarasenko (shoulder), Jaden Schwartz (lower body), Colton Parayko (undisclosed), Robert Thomas (broken thumb) and Ivan Barbashev (hairline fracture in left ankle), a return of some bodies -- any bodies -- is a sight for sore eyes.

"Whenever we can get guys back, it's great to see, especially guys like Bozie and Blaizer, who mean a lot to our team," Bortuzzo said. "It's nice to have them out there and we're happy when guys come back."

"Obviously we want everyone healthy and to see them back here and on the ice, especially Bozak here, that's been out for a while. It's nice to see and good to have him back out there."

Speaking of Tarasenko, who for the third time had surgery on his left shoulder Sept. 17, he was on the ice again Monday morning, and the good news there is that's becoming the norm these days.

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Some tweaks to the lineup that the Blues will make include playing Blais on a line with Brayden Schenn and Mike Hoffman, and Bortuzzo will be paired with Carl Gunnarsson on defense.

"I've played with Gunny a fair amount of hockey," Bortuzzo said. "We're comfortable together. We've been here together for a while now. We have the ability to adapt and work with each other, communicate and try to make things easy on each other. Hopefully tonight we'll do a little bit of that."

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The Blues' projected lineup:

Jordan Kyrou-Ryan O'Reilly-David Perron

Sammy Blais-Brayden Schenn-Mike Hoffman 

Zach Sanford-Oskar Sundqvist-Austin Poganski

Kyle Clifford-Jacob de la Rose-Mackenzie MacEachern 

Torey Krug-Justin Faulk

Marco Scandella-Vince Dunn

Carl Gunnarsson-Robert Bortuzzo

Jordan Binnington will start in goal; Ville Husso is the backup. The Blues report no healthy scratches. Vladimir Tarasenko (shoulder), Colton Parayko (undisclosed), Tyler Bozak (upper body), Robert Thomas (thumb) and Ivan Barbashev (ankle) are out. 

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The Kings' projected lineup:

Alex Iafallo-Anze Kopitar-Dustin Brown

Adrian Kempe-Gabriel Vilardi-Jeff Carter

Carl Grundstrom -- Blake Lizotte -- Trevor Moore 

Andreas Athanasiou -- Michael Amadio -- Austin Wagner

Mikey Anderson-Drew Doughty

Tobias Bjornfot-Matt Roy

Olli Maatta-Austin Strand

Jonathan Quick will start in goal; Calvin Petersen will be the backup. Healthy scratches include Lias Andersson, Matt Luff and Kurtis MacDermid. Sean Walker (upper body), Jaret Anderson-Dolan (upper body) and Martin Frk (lower body) are out.