(1-13-22) Kraken-Blues Gameday Lineup

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The shorthanded Blues will seek to extend their home point streak without some key players.

The Blues (21-10-5), who host/play the expansion Seattle Kraken (10-21-4) for the first time this season, will be without forwards Vladimir Tarasenko, Brayden Schenn and David Perron along with defensemen Colton Parayko and Scott Perunovich. All are in COVID-19 protocol and will miss tonight's game.

Tarasenko and Perunovich were eligible to come off on Tuesday but need consecutive negative tests before being removed and allowed back on the ice. Obviously that hasn't happened yet, an indicator that both are likely to have experienced some sort of symptoms.

"They're still out," Berube said. "... We've got to be ready to compete and work against (Seattle) for sure. They played last night so we've got to be ready and on our toes. I think the first period is a key, trying  to get on them and being an aggressive team here tonight."

Jake Walman, who went on protocol at the same time Tarasenko and Perunovich did, skated for a second straight day and will be in the lineup for the first time since Dec. 29 and will be paired with Robert Bortuzzo.

"He's got to keep it simple, I think use his feet," Berube said of Walman, who's played in 18 games and has a goal and two assists. "That's one of his biggest assets is his feet. Skating-wise, use his feet, just be simple, move the puck to the open person and activate and do the things he's good at. Defend with his feet, have a good stick out there and keep the game simple. He hasn't played in a while. It's going to be important for him to keep it simple."

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Not only will Walman play, but James Neal is in the lineup for the first time since Nov. 22.

Neal has two goals and two assists in 17 games and will come up off the taxi squad and skate on a line with Logan Brown and Oskar Sundqvist.

"The guy's played a lot of games in the league; he knows how to play the game," Berube said of Neal, 34. "He has the ability to score goals around the net and that's where he's made his living. He knows how to play the game, it's not like I've got to go out and tell him. He knows what he needs to do. He's worked hard, stayed in good shape. He's been good at doing that, and that's important. He's going to have a lot of energy out there. He plays with energy. Just do what he does, get in the offensive zone, control pucks and go to the net. Hopefully he can score a goal for us tonight."

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Tonight was supposed to be the return of two former Blues that were key contributors of the 2019 Stanley Cup run with forward Jaden Schwartz, who signed a five-year contract with Seattle in the off-season, and defenseman Vince Dunn, who was selected by the Kraken in the expansion draft.

Dunn will make his return against the Blues, but Schwartz won't. He's out 4-6 weeks with a broken hand.

"Both were good players for us," Berube said. "They were part of a winning team and they were a big part of it. Both are guys that we liked. I personally enjoyed coaching them and be around them."

There won't be a Saskatchewan reunion of sorts tonight.

"He's one guy I miss a lot obviously," forward Tyler Bozak said of Schwartz, who has six goals and 14 assists in 29 games this season after he signed in Seattle to be closer to his mother Carol after the passing of his father, Rick. "We created a nice bond there. We still talk all the time. He's a great player, but more than that, he's a great friend. Obviously he has some injury issues right now, but I'm sure I'll get to see him when we go out to Seattle."

Dunn has 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 30 games for the Kraken this season and is averaging a career-best 19:52 ice time.

"It's exciting to be back," Dunn said. "There's a lot of mixed emotions right now. I have a good relationship with my teammates and all the staff that are still there. It'll be exciting to play against them. I think just looking forward to the drop of the puck and getting that game started.

"I've gotten a lot more opportunity here in Seattle and when more opportunity comes, there's more responsibility. I'm seeing myself playing in a lot more defensive situations and I like to take a lot of pride in that. It's something that I always want to try and improve in my game and the offensive stuff comes naturally most times." 

Dunn was asked if he expects to get booed, and he said, "I hope not. It's definitely a weird circumstance the way I left, but that's just the nature of the league right now. I think in all my articles leaving the team, it wasn't something that I necessarily wished for but have been very happy with my opportunities here in Seattle. I've loved it here so far. I think playing for Seattle has been great for me. It sucked leaving at first; you don't really know what to expect going into a new organization, but as far as the crowd and everything like that, coming back for this game tonight, I'm excited to be here and be in front of the fans I used to play for."

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The Kraken is 0-6-1 in its past seven games and has not won since a 3-1 victory at the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 14. 

The Blues are 11-0-1 in their past 12 games but certainly don't want to take anyone lightly, especially missing some key components.

"They're a competitive team," forward Brandon Saad said of the Kraken. "Regardless of where they're at in the standings, I think they compete hard on any given night. You can't take anyone lightly. We know they compete, they've got a lot to prove, they've got good goaltending. It's going to really be a challenge for us. We're looking to play a complete game and obviously get a win (tonight)."

"I don't have a ton of time to watch much hockey anymore, but they have a very hard-working team that we definitely can't underestimate," Bozak said. "They play fast, they play hard. Anyone can beat anyone in this league any night, so you can't underestimate any team or you're probably going to get beat, so we're probably going to have to come out and play our game and play our best to be successful. I was hoping to see 'Schwartzy'. We won't be able to see him, which sucks, but they're a good team."

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The Blues' projected lineup

Ivan Barbashev-Ryan O'Reilly-Pavel Buchnevich

Brandon Saad-Robert Thomas-Jordan Kyrou

Logan Brown-Oskar Sundqvist-James Neal

Nathan Walker-Tyler Bozak-Klim Kostin

Niko Mikkola-Justin Faulk

Marco Scandella-Torey Krug 

Jake Walman-Robert Bortuzzo 

Ville Husso will start in goal; Jordan Binnington will be the backup. 

The Blues report no healthy scratches or injuries. Vladimir Tarasenko, Scott Perunovich, Brayden Schenn, Colton Parayko and David Perron are in COVID-19 protocol and out.

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The Kraken's projected lineup:

Marcus Johansson-Jared McCann-Jordan Eberle

Calle Jarnkrok-Yanni Gourde-Colin Blackwell

Mason Appleton-Alex Wennberg-Ryan Donato

Max McCormick-Riley Sheahan-Joonas Donskoi

Mark Giordano-Jamie Oleksiak

Vince Dunn-Adam Larsson

Will Borgen-Carson Soucy 

Chris Driedger will start in goal; Philipp Grubauer will be the backup. 

Heathy scratches could include Jeremy Lauzon and Haydn Fleury. Jaden Schwartz (hand) and Morgan Geekie (upper body) are out.