(10-8-21) Blue Jackets-Blues Preseason Gameday Lineup

By LOU KORAC
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- James Neal will put his best foot forward one more time.
The veteran will get one last look in the preseason today for the Blues and hope for the best when it comes to possibly earning a contract.

Neal and the Blues (3-3-1) will play their eighth and final exhibition game when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets (4-1-1) at 7 p.m. (Bally's Sports app, ESPN 101.1-FM).

Neal, 34, has been in camp on a professional tryout and will play on a line with Vladimir Tarasenko and Robert Thomas in hopes of earning himself an NHL contract here.

Rosters have to be set and teams are to be cap-compliant by 4 p.m. (CT) on Monday. 

Neal will be paid $1.9-plus million over the next four seasons by the Edmonton Oilers, who bought out the remaining two years of his contract, so a contract at a league minimum of $750,000 or so could be in the cards for Neal here with Oskar Sundqvist going on long-term injured-reserve, giving them some relief from his $2.75 million cap hit.

"You take nothing for granted for sure," Neal said. "I still got lots to prove here and another good chance tonight. Looking forward to having a good game tonight, but I feel good with the way camp's gone and feel good about my game.

"I've put in a lot of work this summer and wanted to get back to where I know I can be. It's paying off. I'm skating well, I feel confident with the puck and good things are happening out there. I've got to continue to do that."

Blues coach Craig Berube has liked how Neal fits in with the group and has utilized him on different lines and various roles, and Neal, who had a hat trick in his first game with the Blues and playing in fifth preseason game tonight.

"He's good at below the tops of the circles," Berube said. "That's his game. He hounds pucks, he's on pucks, he's got a good stick, he's around the net and he gets goals around the net, which is important. He's been around a long time, he's played a lot of good hockey in his career and scored a lot of goals.

"... Just trying to see him in different roles, if that makes sense. Not roles so much, but different line combinations just to see if we might see something different with somebody else. Tonight I got him with Thomas and Tarasenko to see what he looks like there."

Neal feels the Blues' style fits his style and can help him get back to what brought him success in the past.

"I feel like it's a really good fit," Neal said. "That was a big reason why I wanted to come here too. I knew there wasn't spots open, but I felt if I could come in here and I knew the shape I was in and I had lots of game left. I feel like it's a really good fit and I'm just going to continue to play my game and play it well. I hope things work out because I really like it here."

- - -

The Blues are playing a top-heavy lineup tonight, and one of the reasons is that they won't play competitively again for eight days, the regular-season opener in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche Oct. 16.

It's good to get the main group, or as close to it as possible, to get some game reps in and to continue to work on things they feel are necessary heading into the season.

"I don't really think it's much different than normal," defenseman Justin Faulk said. "Usually the last couple games of preseason are as close to a lineup as you can get. Obviously there's a few guys that are out that will be playing games too and what not. I think you try and get dialed in here at the end and find some cohesiveness as a group and get going because there's nothing after that besides the regular season.

"I think the guys have done a pretty good job. Some of the games have been pretty good on our end and guys feel good. The group feels good as a whole. One more tonight and I think the guys are happy to get going and move on from training camp. I think that's pretty normal too."

- - -

Along with Neal, Berube said some guys in the lineup that will be in tonight are guys the coaches will want to take another look at, and that includes 2020 first-round pick Jake Neighbours, who will play a fourth line role tonight with Ivan Barbashev and Tyler Bozak. But one of the more intriguing defensive pairs tonight isn't that Scott Perunovich and Niko Mikkola are getting another look, but more of seeing Jake Walman and Robert Bortuzzo together again.

That pair played Wednesday in Minnesota and played well, but the fact Berube is wanting to see them again says they've seen enough to make a decision on Perunovich and Mikkola already and want to see Walman in particular one more time.

"Jake Walman's played better and better as it's gone along," Berube said. "His best game was his last game. I think his practice has picked up too in my opinion. He seemed a little off early on in camp and I'm not sure exactly why, but I feel that he's got over that and I thought that he had a really good game in Minnesota, so I was very pleased to see that.

"I thought Borts had a solid game in Minny, did his job. He looks good to me like normal Borts. It's good to see."

- - -

The Blues' projected lineup:

Brandon Saad-Ryan O'Reilly-David Perron

Jordan Kyrou-Brayden Schenn-Pavel Buchnevich

James Neal-Robert Thomas-Vladimir Tarasenko

Jake Neighbours-Tyler Bozak-Ivan Barbashev

Marco Scandella-Colton Parayko

Torey Krug-Justin Faulk

Jake Walman-Robert Bortuzzo

Jordan Binnington will start in goal; Colten Ellis will be the backup.

- - -

The Blue Jackets' projected lineup:

Gregory Hofmann-Kevin Stenlund-Emil Bemstrom

Liam Foudy-Justin Danforth-Tyler Angle

Tyler Sikura-Brendan Gaunce-Carson Meyer

Tristan Mullin-Josh Dunne-Justin Scott

Dean Kukan-Scott Harrington

Gabriel Carlsson-Andrew Peeke

Mikko Lehtonen-Gavin Bayreuther

Joonas Korpisalo will start in goal; Daniil Tarasov will be the backup.

(10-6-21) Blues-Wild Preseason Gameday Lineup

By LOU KORAC
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- It's a back-to-back kind of set for the Blues, as they play the second of two exhibition games against the Minnesota Wild today at 7 p.m. (ESPN+, ESPN 101.1-FM).

The Blues (3-3-0) dropped a 3-1 decision at the Dallas Stars on Tuesday playing a large portion of their main group. Tonight's game provides an opportunity for guys that are still on the brink or may be battling for a few of those last remaining roster spots to make a difference.

"Yeah, I would say so," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "Listen, the reason it is the way it is tonight is the back-to-back games. Didn't want to try and get a lot of our guys in the back-to-back games. We've got some young guys playing back-to-back games tonight, but that's OK. We didn't want our veterans playing back-to-back games. It's tough."

Five guys that played last night will also play tonight, including forwards Klim Kostin, Logan Brown and Dakota Joshua and defensemen Niko Mikkola and Scott Perunovich.
There is still something to prove for them all.

"I think it's always good to see these guys in a back-to-back situation, young guys and things like that," Berube said. "I think that's always good to see. But we have a pretty good pulse on all of them and what they provide and what they can give our hockey team.

"Everybody's different to be honest with you. There's a lot of things that are involved that goes into it. I do believe that it's important for a player to play well no matter what and to show the organization and the coaching staff what he can do. Now, I'm not going to sit here and say that's going to change everything. Decisions still have to be made. It's important for guys fighting for a spot and for the whole team to go out and compete and play well."

The Mikkola-Perunovich pair played together last night and Mikkola scored but was also on the ice for the Stars' go-ahead goal in the third period when he made an aggressive pinch in the offensive zone but got caught on a 2-on-1.

"They were OK," Berube said. "I think that was a little bit different for them both. Dallas had a fairly good lineup and it was tight-checking. It was tight. There wasn't a lot of room out there, but they did some good things. Perun's got great composure with the puck like I've said all along. He showed that again last night playing in some good situations and Mikkola, I know he got the goal, but he's just an aggressive player. He doesn't give the opposition much time and space out there, closes on people quickly to me. He's a hard guy to play against is the best way I can put it."

There's also a case still left to be made for veterans James Neal and Michael Frolik, who are on PTO's ad could conceivably me making their final cases to earn contracts. It's possible one or both could play at home in the preseason finale Friday against Columbus but they have to take it as if tonight is their last chance.

"I think they can make a difference for sure and I think they've come as we thought," Berube said. "They're both veteran guys and played a lot in the league. They do different things for sure and I think they've both provided what they do well."

As for those spots on defense, the top four is pretty much set with Colton Parayko, Justin Faulk, Torey Krug and Marco Scandella, but those remaining tree spots remain a battle with Mikkola, Perunovich, Robert Bortuzzo, who should be considered a lock, and perhaps Steven Santini although he's a long-shot.

"I'm not sure where they have me slotted in on the depth chart," Santini said. "Obviously every day just trying to get better, control what you can control, have good practices, have good games, be a good teammate, do the best you can and then you know everything kind of works itself out when you do that.

"I think (the competition's) been great. I think the competition that you're speaking towards just speaks volumes about the depth of this organization. They have great players at all positions and just to be in the mix and to be you know, playing in the preseason games and competing with guys in practice, it's a lot of fun. As hockey players, we'd rather have it that way than the other way and just get it easy."

Kostin, Perunovich and Dakota Joshua will all be playing their fifth preseason game out of seven.

After tonight's game, expect the Blues to make roster cuts, probably as early as Thursday.

- - -

The Blues' projected lineup:

Ivan Barbashev-Tyler Bozak-James Neal

Klim Kostin-Logan Brown-Sam Anas

Nathan Walker-Nikita Alexandrov-Michael Frolik

Kyle Clifford-Dakota Joshua-Mackenzie MacEachern

Jake Walman-Robert Bortuzzo

Niko Mikkola-Scott Perunovich

Calle Rosen-Steven Santini

Ville Husso will start in goal; Colten Ellis will be the backup.

- - -

The Wild's projected roster:

FORWARDS: Nico Sturm, Jordan Greenway, Marco Rossi, Kyle Rau, Dominic Turgeon, Victor Rask, Connor Dewar, Adam Beckman, Joseph Cramarossa, Mitchell Chafee, Brandon Duhaime, Nick Swaney.

DEFENSEMEN: Jon Merrill, Jordie Benn, Dmitry Kulikov, Jon Lizotte, Joe Hicketts, Calen Addison.

GOALIES: Kaapo Kahkonen, Andrew Hammond.

(10-5-21) Blues-Stars Preseason Gameday Lineup

By LOU KORAC
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Despite those public trade demands earlier in the summer, Vladimir Tarasenko has been a happy camper these days.

And camper in the literal sense of the term, as in happy with training camp, happy with how the Blues (3-2-0), who play their sixth preseason game today at 7 p.m. (ESPN 101.1-FM, no television) against the Dallas Stars (2-0-2) at American Airlines Center.

The Blues are taking a strong lineup to tonight's game, meaning the game lineup for Wednesday at the Minnesota Wild won't be as strong, but the one going to Texas tonight is strong, and Tarasenko will be featured on a line with Brandon Saad and Robert Thomas.

"I don't know, you guys are watching the games. I think we play well, we get used to each other," Tarasenko said. "'Saader' is first year with the team so we have time to talk to him and see what he sees on the ice. Obviously I used to play with 'Tommer' before and he's a great player. 

"(Thomas is) a great player. Everyone knows he can pass the puck really well. He's very smart. I'm just enjoying playing together."

That line will be together for the second time this preseason. The trio combined for a goal (Saad) and two assists in the preseason opener against the Wild in a 6-2 win.

"I think it's gone pretty well," Saad said. "I think the first game we had some good plays, some good puck possession, just getting to learn each other, but they're obviously both good, high-skilled players, play with speed, protect the puck. I think we had some success and just looking to build off of that."

Tarasenko, who looks healthy, is skating healthy and is playing healthy, feels there is a good sense around the team. This on the heels of those trade demands to management that haven't materialized. But the veteran has performed well in camp thus far and will play in his third preseason game tonight.

"The vibe I think after 2019, there's only one way, people know what it takes to win," Tarasenko said. "I tell you last time we talked, last couple years wasn't very successful for us as a team. I think we have a really good team. I'm truly believing we can compete for winning again."

Tarasenko looks slimmer than in the past. He and teammate Ivan Barbashev trained in the summer in Miami.

"We have a place set for us that we train there for five or six weeks," Tarasenko said. "Just preparing for year. It's a big year for both of us. Trying to get ready for play. So far, so good."
So far, so good for coach Craig Berube too.

"Very fit. He worked hard all summer," Berube said of Tarasenko. "He came into camp in great shape. His testing was great. So he put in all the work that he needed to do in the summertime.

"I think he looks fine. He's got good jump in his legs. He’s skating well, I think he's shooting the puck well. He seems really happy to me and enjoying things. So that's a good sign and it's all good with Vladi."

Tonight's lineup will feature most of the players that will make the team, along with youngsters Jake Neighbours, Niko Mikkola and Scott Perunovich.

"It's always nice. When you have camp, you have a lot of guys, a lot of young guys trying to make the team," Tarasenko said. "It's kind of special moments there when you see guys skating for first time, playing for first time. Now when roster cuts, we have a lot of experienced guys, a lot of guys we used to play together before. It seems like the season is not too far away. It's important games to play them well and get ready for the season, especially against Dallas. We used to play them a lot in the previous years. It's nice to have a lot of guys in the lineup."

Perhaps it's softened the hard feelings over the summer that Tarasenko has multiple Russians around, including Barbashev, Pavel Buchnevich and Klim Kostin. Prospect Alexei Toropchenko was also in camp until he was sent down to AHL Springfield.

"We have good teammates, so they can help them too, but when you come from other country and speak different language, it's always nice to have somebody," Tarasenko said. "Like me and 'Barby' have been here for a while, so we can explain the things. We have a very good group of Russians this camp and we have fun together."

So much fun that Tarasenko invited a group of them over for a barbeque.

"Yeah, I can cook," Tarasenko said. "We have guys over in our house, we have six, seven guys. The wives were there and the girlfriends. It was a good time."

And what was on the menu?

"Everything, like steaks, chicken wings," Tarasenko said. "I like to cook, you know, but we have a big family, so sometimes you have to."

- - -

Saad continues to get comfortable playing with his new teammates as well.

Tonight, like Tarasenko, will be his third game of the preseason and second with Thomas and Tarasenko as linemates, a line that has all the earmarks of what will open the season Oct. 16 in Colorado.

"I think the guys are excited," Saad said. "We haven't had a full squad yet obviously, but just getting a taste with different players and different guys, there's a lot of talent, a lot of guys focused to be on the winning track this year and looking to make an imprint in the league. I think the excitement's high, I'm excited to be here and you look at the talent on the roster, I don't see why there's any chance where we can't compete."

Playing against Tarasenko as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Avalanche is one thing, but now that he's his teammate?

"I think like playing against him so much, you get to know him pretty well, so nothing too surprising," Saad said. "But to get to see it every day with his talent, his shooting ability, his play making, seeing how big and strong he is on the puck is something where you don't get to see every day playing against him. It's been fun to watch."

Saad has been compared to what Jaden Schwartz brought to the Blues, and Tarasenko knows a lot about being Schwartz's linemate, so what are his opinion of Saad?

"He plays very strong," Tarasenko said. "He can play all around everywhere. He's a smart player. He presents himself on the ice, makes it easier for me and Tommer to get him the puck. I think he can pass the puck well and finish chances. I think we have a pretty good line and looking forward to a good game tonight."

- - -

Berube and the coaching staff will get a firsthand look at what the projected lineup could look like come opening night, or as close to it as possible and are looking forward to it.

"I’m sure Dallas will have a good lineup too, it’s getting near the end here so you know teams will be playing a lot of their players like we are tonight so yeah I'm looking to see how the combinations look and the chemistry and things like that and also our team game, just the structure side of it and just doing good things," Berube said.

Berube has been pleased with the forward pairs but finding that third member has been the challenge, who will be the third wheel.

"I think we're still mulling around a third pair a little bit with a couple different things," Berube said. "I think the Saad with Thomas and Tarasenko, they've been together since camp. I think they've done a good job. They look pretty good to me. I think that they have some good chemistry there, with the way the lines set up and Vladi scoring goals and shooting then Thomas making plays and Saad is a big guy with good speed, gets on pucks goes to the net, does that grunt work that's needed. ... We had (Jordan) Kyrou up there with (David) Perron and (Ryan) O’Reilly for a bit. I moved him to Buchnevich and (Brayden) Schenn to see how that looks and I got Jake Neighbours up with Perron and O’Reilly tonight to see how he looks there. Jake Neighbours has done a good job wherever I’ve put him, so I expect him to probably play well again tonight with O’Reilly and Perron."

And on defense, the top four is pretty much set, so determining what the bottom lair will look like and who the seventh defenseman will be is still up in the air.

"Well obviously play, like Perunovich has done a great job so far," Berube said. "He's been an impressive player in camp and in the games that he's played in. (Jake) Walman, Mikkola, they've done a good job too. We have the D that was here last year, the seven D, and they've all done a good job in my opinion so far, and they're probably right where we want them to be or thought they would be. Perunovich is a guy that's a different element, he's came into camp and he’s impressed us all with his ability to move pucks and composure with pucks and make plays, things like that so it'll be exciting to see him tonight against Dallas and see how he performs."

- - -

The Blues' projected lineup:

Jake Neighbours-Ryan O'Reilly-David Perron

Jordan Kyrou-Brayden Schenn-Pavel Buchnevich

Brandon Saad-Robert Thomas-Vladimir Tarasenko

Dakota Joshua-Logan Brown-Klim Kostin

Torey Krug-Justin Faulk

Marco Scandella-Colton Parayko

Niko Mikkola-Scott Perunovich

Jordan Binnington will start in goal; Charlie Lindgren will be the backup.

- - -

The Stars' projected lineup:

Jamie Benn-Tyler Seguin-Alexander Radulov

Jacob Peterson-Radek Faksa-Denis Gurianov

Jason Robertson-Mavrik Bourque-Tanner Kero

Joel Kiviranta-Luke Glendening-Blake Comeau

Andreas Borgman-John Klingberg

Esa Lindell-Alexander Petrovic

Joel Hanley-Andrej Sekera

Braden Holtby will start in goal; Anton Khudobin will be the backup.

(10-5-21) BLUES NOTEBOOK

Opening night roster starting to shape into form; Neighbours, Perunovich could 

affect what Blues decide to do; Perron mum on extension; Kostin OK after injury

By LOU KORAC
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- As the Blues begin their final week of training camp that include preseason games, there's a sense of what a potential opening night roster and perhaps lineup will shape out to look like.

Monday's practice still included two groups, but line combinations and defensive pairs started to take some form of shape of what the coaching staff and management could be looking at with these final three preseason games in preparation for the Oct. 16 opener at Colorado.

Monday's forward lines and defensive pairings from the first group included:

Jake Neighbours-Ryan O'Reilly-David Perron

Jordan Kyrou-Brayden Schenn-Pavel Buchnevich

Brandon Saad-Robert Thomas-Vladimir Tarasenko

Dakota Joshua-Logan Brown-Klim Kostin

Torey Krug-Justin Faulk

Marco Scandella-Colton Parayko

Niko Mikkola-Scott Perunovich

Of course the second group included Tyler Bozak, Ivan Barbashev, Robert Bortuzzo, Jake Walman, Kyle Clifford, Mackenzie MacEachern and PTO's James Neal and Michael Frolik, so anything is still possible, but with camp days dwindling down and the countdown on to the opening of the regular season, decisions are looming. Oskar Sundqvist, who will start the season on long-term injured-reserve rehabbing his torn ACL, is also skating.

"I think this year's tougher," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "I think obviously some tough decisions that are going to have to be made.

"We're going to be facing good lineups on the other side (this week). We're looking for competitive hockey, good team hockey, good team play within our structure and just keep working on our game. But the intensity level's probably going to be a lot higher than it has been in the previous exhibition games."

It means goalies will start playing full games as opposed to splitting time or playing a couple periods or one period the first five exhibition games. Parayko even indicated that he and Scandella could play a couple preseason games together, indicating there is a good chance they start the season together.

"It's starting to kind of shape up a little more obviously," Parayko said. "The team kind of coming down getting closer to the team and these last three preseason games are going to be important for us to kind of find our game, getting into game shape and hit the regular season running on a good note."

Veteran players, or guys who know they're a lock for the team, they're using the end of camp here to hone in on what they feel are the necessary steps to get them ready for the season.

"You try to get down to your details of your game as a group and also individually it makes you play good hockey," Perron said. "And for guys like O'Ry and I, we really need that tight-checking, that type of stuff. That's when we thrive, that's when we go in the o-zone and we make those little plays and we score. It's tough to find that same level in preseason, but you're still trying to push for that level and we're excited for whenever we play next."

Some of the guys will increase their minutes to get them up to speed to the minutes they will play once the season opens.

"I think so, continue to focus on how it's going to be more game-like in different situations that we're going to be in throughout the season here," said Parayko, who is also recovering from a back issue that bothered him throughout last season but feels good in camp. "Obviously early on, it's a little different, but now that we're kind of getting down to where we want to dial it in for the last three, make sure we find our spots. Just being put in different game situations is important when you get more used to it, you get more confident, and that's what you want going into the season.

"I just think working on the little things. We've changed a few things in our systems that you just want to continue to work on, but I think the biggest thing is going through different reads, getting put in different game situations, things like that. I think it is kind of the best thing about what preseason is, just seeing the ice differently, just seeing different situations and go from there."

* Neighbours could see extended stay -- The wildcard in all the roster dominoes will be Neighbours, the 26th pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, who's had a fantastic camp thus far.
Neighbours has a goal and two assists (all against Chicago on Oct. 1) in three preseason games and has been playing on top six lines throughout camp.

He and defenseman Scott Perunovich have shown the most upside of all those wanting to debut in the NHL this season.

"I never say surprised," Berube said. "These are good players. We know that. We knew coming into camp that they were good players so I don't really get surprised, but they've been impressive."

The Blues could keep Neighbours in the NHL for as long as it takes for him to play nine games, then decide if they sent him back to juniors or keep him in the NHL. 

Neighbours skating with O'Reilly and Perron on Monday was a first.

"He's done a lot of good stuff," Perron said of Neighbours. "Also how he is off the ice, I think he's a really good guy. He's kind of listening to everything. He's working hard in practice. I think he's got some poise with the puck. He obviously's made some ... I haven't really seen him to be honest much. Because of games, I think one of them was on the road, but he had three points. I'm guessing he had a really good game. As a young guy, it gives you confidence. As the roster narrows down. I remember myself being 19. You're not too sure how camp is working and stuff like that, but you have older guys telling you like, 'Hey, if you're still around at this time, maybe they're starting to look at you.' It's a great opportunity for him."

* Bolduc debuts for junior team -- Zack Bolduc, the 17th pick in this year's draft, was returned to his junior team, the Quebec Ramparts, of the Canadian Hockey League, on Sunday, after earning an assist in his only preseason game with the Blues against the Blackhawks on Oct. 1. 

Bolduc, 18, who had an assist in the 6-3 win at Chicago, didn't miss a beat in the CHL and had a three-point game (two goals, one assist) in a 5-3 win against his former team, Oceanic Rimouski.

"I think he's pretty confident," said Perron, a fellow French-Canadian. "I think I saw he came back yesterday to junior and he had three points already. I think he's going to tear it up pretty good there. I think it was a great experience for him to come. 

"I didn't see the game he played (Friday in Chicago), but I know he was really excited. He was worried with the injury he had if he was going to be able to get the experience of at least getting in one game before going back. I think it's important for those guys to see what level it is. It's something I talked to him about for next year already. Does he want to come in early? I will have to anyway. I guess I got one year left, I will have to if I'm still here with the kids starting school early, if he wants to come to my house or something like that along those lines, but I was very impressed with him. I think it's something that would be very important to come here early and and get guys to be used to him and things like that. He's done a lot of good things."

* Perron's contract status -- Speaking of "if I'm still here," Perron was asked about his contract status and if there have been talks with Doug Armstrong about an extension beyond 2021-22, the final year of a four-year, $16 million contract he signed in 2018. 

"Next question," Perron said, not wanting to address it.

Even though Perron, 34, has one year remaining, one would think the Blues would entertain bringing the 15-year veteran back since he continues to play at a high level.

And on the funnier side of Perron, going back to last week's joke of his collision with Berube to someone drawing up a crime scene with cones on the practice ice, Perron said he didn't have anything to do with the artistic rendering.

"I absolutely buried Chief, but I did not do that drawing on the ice," Perron joked. "I'm not sure if I found out who did it, but I'm also going to say next question to this I guess. It was just funny. 

"Chief, we all know obviously he's a big boy. That's not someone, like, the Roman Polak Door, same type of thing, you don't want to open his door. I actually am surprised I was able to put him back. I'm sure if he stood his ground, I would probably be the guy that was going to go the other way. We made a joke out of it. It was pretty funny. He takes that stuff pretty well. He was chirping me on the ice today. We did like the same drill or very similar and he said, 'Hey, I'm going to be in that corner, so if you come to me this time ... ' you know, like joking about it. He's good with that."

Berube said his fighting days are over, but Perron is not so sure. He was asked if he could take the 'Chief.'

"Absolutely not. No," Perron said. "Even if he decides to do it in 10 years, if he gets going, he could be a scary guy."

* Kostin OK -- Kostin returned to practice two days after leaving Saturday's 5-1 exhibition loss against the Blackhawks in Independence, Mo. after the first period with an upper-body injury.

Berube said his removal from the game was more precautionary.

Kansas City brings out the hockey fans for Blues game again

Despite 5-1 loss to Blackhawks, Blues get maximum support from hockey 

fans on west side of the state at ECHL venue with 5,800 in attendance 

By LOU KORAC
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- It's the preseason. Forget about the result. The Blues were back playing hockey in the Kansas City market and it was another rousing success.

They were specifically playing in Independence, Mo., at Cable Dahmer Arena, home of the ECHL's Kansas City Mavericks, the affiliate of the Calgary Flames of all teams, but that's a story for another day. 

(St. Louis Blues/Scott Rovak)

Blues forward Tyler Bozak (21) celebrates with Torey Krug after Krug scored

against the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday night in suburban Kansas City.

They were specifically playing in Independence, Mo., at Cable Dahmer Arena, home of the ECHL's Kansas City Mavericks, the affliate of the Calgary Flames of all teams, but that's a story for another day. 

The home crowd, whether they were local, drove from St. Louis or even came all the way from Chicago or whatever part Chicago Blackhawks fans came from, they got to treat themselves to an NHL atmospere packed in sold-out fashion, all 5,800 of them.

The Blackhawks won the game 5-1 to split the home-and-home preseason sets with the Blues after the Blues  won 6-3 in Chicago on Friday, but this was all about the fans that respected one another despite the heated rivalry that's developed over decades of hatred.

"It was really nice," Blues captain Ryan O'Reilly said. "It was nice to be back in kind of a like a packed barn. There was a lot of energy, big hits, big plays. You can see the crowd was right behind on both sides. It was a lot of fun. It was nice to kind of have that back. It's been a long time since we kind of felt that atmosphere. It was good. A lot of good hockey fans here. It was nice, a really nice atmosphere.

"You can tell it's a hockey town, really great building here. All the jerseys, whether it was our Blues jerseys or Chicago jerseys. We're quite a ways away and to still have that many fans here and that excitement and to cheer all the little plays and such, it's cool to see. It shows how far our game stretches and it's nice to have that support the places you come."

Blues defenseman Torey Krug, who scored the lone Blues goal, said it brought him back to days of yesteryear as far as atmosphere goes.

"It was fun," Krug said. "It reminded me of the USHL days back in juniors. Great fans tonight. They showed up and they were loud. I think they had a lot of fun. I wish the Blues fans could be a little happier about that one, but it was a fun night."

O'Reilly and linemate David Perron made it a point at the end of the pre-game warmup of tossing several pucks into the stands, especially for the young kids in attendance. 

"These games, there's a lot of fans that this will be their first and maybe only NHL experience, so I thought it was a nice thing to do," O'Reilly said. "There were a lot of kids there that were excited to see it. Just wanted to chuck them a little memento. It's for the kids, right? That's what we do."

As for the game itself, the Blues jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Krug's slapper from the blue line 50 seconds into the game, but it would be the only time they beat Malcolm Subban on the night.

"It wasn't an overall great game," O'Reilly said. "We did do some good things at times. We came out with good jump, physical. We got into the o-zone and started to build a bit, but a few breakdowns in our tracking and just a few little details that kind of opened up the ice for them and gave them some really premium scoring chances. We shut those down, little details can fix that. It wasn't horrible. It wasn't the offense that we wanted, even my line, myself, we can kind of create a little bit more but I thought we hunted well, we tracked down some good pucks and we just got to keep building."

Blues coach Craig Berube wasn't concerned about the score but more so the individual play of some who may be trying to particularly catch the coach staff's eye.

"More individuals and the structure of our game," Berube said. "Things like that. Made a few mistakes defensively tonight. Ended up in our net. But we generated a lot of shots and had some good looks. At the end of the day, they scored and we didn't."

Blues forward Klim Kostin left the game after the first period and did not return due to an upper-body injury sustained after he split a pair of Blackhawks defensemen to get a scoring chance and was checked behind the Chicago net. Kostin stayed down on the ice and was attended to by head athletic trainer Ray Barile and skated off on his own power. He would finish the period but did not return after that.

(St. Louis Blues/Scott Rovak)

Blues forward James Neal (left) skates with the puck as Chicago's Henrik

Borgstrom trails the play Saturday night in Independence, Mo.

"Not sure. Right now, I don't have the answer on that," Berube said. "He'll be re-evaluated tomorrow and we'll see where he's at."

Ville Husso played the first two periods and allowed four goals on 17 shots. Joel Hofer finished the game and allowed a goal on five shots. He also played in the shootout after the game and allowed two goals in five rounds, a shootout the Blackhawks won 2-1.

The Blues dropped to 3-2-0 overall in the preseason and get back at it on Tuesday in the first of back-to-back road games at Dallas before playing at Minnesota Wednesday.

(10-2-21) Blackhawks-Blues Preseason Gameday Lineup

By LOU KORAC
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- The Blues finally made a sizeable roster trim on Saturday morning, sending 10 players to their American Hockey League affiliate in Springfield (Mass.) and three to their junior squads.

Forwards Tanner Kaspick, Mathias Laferriere, Hugh McGing, Matthew Peca, Nolan Stevens, Nathan Todd, Alexei Toropchenko and Keean Washkurak, along with defensemen Griffin Luce and Josh Wesley were assigned to the Thunderbirds.  Forward Zack Bolduc (Quebec, QMJHL), defenseman Tyson Galloway (Calgary, WHL) and goalie Will Cranley (Ottawa, OHL) were all assigned to junior squads.

"I think if you watched the game last night and watched Bolduc, pretty impressive for his first NHL game," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "I thought he did a lot of good things. He's got some real good ability. He played with some jam too out there, so it was great to see."

Toropchenko, who led the Blues with five hits in the 6-3 win at Chicago Friday night, and Kaspick both stood out in the game.

"They understand what they've got to do to play up here," Berube said. "Those two guys had good games. They were hard to play against. More than anything, they were physical, on top of the puck, they didn't give the Blackhawks any time. In space, they took it away. They understand their role. They'll go down and play that role in the minors and do a good job and get an opportunity at some point up here."

That leaves 39 players remaining in camp, including left wing Jake Neighbours, who had a goal and two assists in a 6-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday in Chicago and defenseman Scott Perunovich, who also played last night.

- - -

The Blues (3-1-0) and Blackhawks (0-1-1) will tangle once again today at 7 p.m., considered a home game for the Blues, in Independence, Mo., the home of the Kansas City Mavericks of the ECHL at Cable Dahmer Arena.

The arena, which seats 5,800 people, will be sold out and a smaller venue will provide a terrific atmosphere for teams playing there for the first time.

"We've been to Kansas City before," Berube said. "We haven't played in this rink. We've played in the bigger one there (the former Sprint Center, now called T-Mobile Center). It's always a good turnout there. It seems like they like the game there, hockey in Kansas City. We're looking forward to it, it'll be a fun night."

- - -

If you didn't see the video, here it is (https://twitter.com/StLouisBlues/status/1444154019027378176?s=20) of Blues goalie Jordan Binnington after last night's game dressing as one of the regular skaters and going out at the end for the postgame handshake. 

Binnington, who played the first two periods and stopped 18 of 20 shots, didn't have his regular goalie gear on, instead dressing in the uniform of Stevens. He got a rise out of his teammates and more noticeably, Berube, who was he was leaving the ice behind the bench, had to do a double-take as to what Binnington was doing.

"I just asked him what he was doing," Berube said. "I didn't have a clue what was going on. I was a little surprised by it, to be honest with you.

"(Goalies) can be a little bit different. Binner's a real good team guy, really likes to do things with the players, obviously funny moments and things like that. He was just trying to be funny and comical and it's good stuff, really good stuff for the team."

It comes days after someone, who has not been identified yet, drew an outline of Berube with a stick and surrounded it by cones as if to recreate a crime scene a day after Berube collided with David Perron at practice and was sent to the ice on his skates.

The Blues have kept things light this training camp, needless to say.

"I think it's good," Berube said. "They're really helping the young guys out. I think they're doing a good job that way. It's been a really good effort by all our veterans in camp. Pretty dialed in right now. I'm pretty pleased with them."

- - -

Defenseman Niko Mikkola will be in the lineup tonight and will be paired with Calle Rosen playing the right side.

Mikkola, battling for one of the remaining spots on defense in camp, has been playing a bigger role on his off-side, playing the right side as a left-handed defenseman.

"A little bit. I'm used to playing on left side of course," Mikkola said. "But I think it's a good thing to practice on both sides. They can put me wherever they want."

Mikkola and Jake Walman are expected to be battling for that sixth-seventh spot on defense.

"(Camp battles have been) good," Mikkola said. "It's been like five players in the practice, and I like that. We have like a couple new things the D-zone and on the PK, so I do work on those. And it's been good so far."

- - -

Some of the more compelling camp battles too are among the bottom pairing forwards, where Dakota Joshua will be battling for a spot.

Joshua will be in the lineup tonight centering the fourth line with Mackenzie MacEachern and Sam Anas.

"My job's pretty simple," Joshua said. "I've just got to focus on myself obviously. That's part of every training camp. People are battling for spots and that's the position I'm in. That's not really something to look at or think about. That's just a known fact and I just try to do what I can and put my best foot forward every day."

- - -

The Blues' projected lineup:

Jordan Kyrou-Ryan O'Reilly-David Perron

Brandon Saad-Tyler Bozak-James Neal

Klim Kostin-Nikita Alexandrov-Michael Frolik

Mackenzie MacEachern-Dakota Joshua-Sam Anas

Niko Mikkola-Colton Parayko

Torey Krug-Calle Rosen

Tyler Tucker-Tommy Cross

Ville Husso will start in goal; Joel Hofer will be the backup.

- - -

The Blackhawks' projected lineup:

FORWARDS: Dominik Kubalik, Adam Gaudette, Henrik Borgstrom, Jujhar Khaira, Dylan Strome, Brett Connolly, Philipp Kurashev, Colton Dach, Reese Johnson, MacKenzie Entwistle, Kirby Dach, Mike Hardman.

DEFENSEMEN: Isaak Phillips, Nolan Allan, Louis Crevier, Wyatt Kalynuk, Riley Stillman, Nicolas Beaudin, Jakub Galvas.

GOALIES: Malcolm Subban, Collin Delia.

(10-1-21) Blues-Blackhawks Preseason Gameday Lineup

By LOU KORAC
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Zack Bolduc will make his preseason debut for the Blues (2-1-0) against the Chicago Blackhawks (0-0-1) at United Center today at 7:30 p.m.

Bolduc, who is a center and 17th pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, missed the Traverse City Prospects Tournament with a lower-body injury he sustained during Canada's World Junior training camp this past summer and he's worked his way back into camp and available to skate on a daily basis.

Bolduc, 18, will skate on a line with Kyle Clifford and Logan Brown, who the Blues acquired last Saturday along with a conditional 2022 fourth-round pick from the Ottawa Senators for forward Zach Sanford.

"I'm really excited," Bolduc said. "It's my first game. I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can and have fun and learn through that process.

"I'll be nervous, but I'll use that at my advantage, have fun, compete hard and just keep it simple for the first one. Right now, I'm feeling good honestly. I'm feeling 100 percent so I'm ready to play the game tonight."

Bolduc is expected to be sent back to his junior team, Oceanic Rimouski of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, at some point during camp, but Blues coach Craig Berube wanted to see the 18-year-old in an NHL game before doing so.

"Use his skill for sure, he's a skilled player," Berube said. "Watching him out there in practice, he's quick on his feet, he's on his toes and he's got a good shot, obviously good puck skill. Just use his ability and go play the game. We're all looking forward to seeing him here tonight and seeing what he can do."

Bolduc said no matter what happens from here on out, as long as he's here in St. Louis, he will soak up everything he's learned and take it back with him to Rimouski.

"It's incredible, just being with the pros here, talk with them and learn, see how they train off ice, how they work on the ice," Bolduc said. "For me, it's really an honor to be here. I just want to learn here and make myself better."

Bolduc, listed at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, has made himself better and the players around him are noticing.

"I think he looks great," Blues center Robert Thomas said. "I think he's a lot faster than I thought, he's got a great shot. I'm excited to see him tonight. He's an awesome young player, awesome guy, so I'm really excited."

Needless to say, there will be a stream of the game tonight in Bolduc's hometown of Trois-Rivières, province of Quebec, where his parents, family and friends will be watching.

"When I knew that I was going to play the game tonight, I told them, I text them and I called them just making sure they knew it," Bolduc said. "They're going to watch the game back home for sure."

- - -

Thomas, who came into his Zoom call Friday sporting a brand new cap designed by Nathan Walker, who along with his wife are setting up a newly-formed clothing company, will get the chance to skate with Vladimir Tarasenko in another preseason game tonight.

That duo played in a 6-2 win in the preseason opener against the Minnesota Wild last Saturday along with Brandon Saad and looked good.

"It's been great so far," Thomas said. "I thought we were really good in the first game together with Saader on the left, now we've got Jake (Neighbours) on the left (tonight). It will be a good test for us, but I'm excited. Everyone knows he can shoot the puck, he can skate and he's strong on the puck. Just those little things. I've just got to find them."

"I see Tommer, he's a real good passer and Vladi's a shooter, so that combination for me works real well," Berube said. "Right now, Tommer's really skating well and moving well. He's got the puck a lot. Vladi's good at finding open ice and spots to score goals. I think that could be a good combination."

Another veteran paid Berube will look at tonight is Brayden Schenn and Pavel Buchnevich, who will also skate in their second game together. They will get Ivan Barbashev on the left wing.

"They're both good-sized guys," Berube said. "They get on top of people on the forecheck. Barbashev's with them tonight, but that line should be a good line to play against anybody, do a good job defensively and also be able to produce."

- - -

Oskar Sundqvist, rehabbing from a torn ACL, practiced on Friday after missing Thursday's skates with what Berube called a maintenance day.

"He's been playing, he's been on the ice a lot skating and working," Berube said. "We've just got to manage it. Ray Barile's doing a great job of managing that and we just kept him off the ice yesterday.

"He is progressing, he's got a ways to go still, but he's doing a good job. He's working hard and I think that he's doing a good job of working with them, trying to get him in game shape and ready to play a game at some point."

- - -

The Blues' projected lineup:

Jake Neighbours-Robert Thomas-Vladimir Tarasenko

Ivan Barbashev-Brayden Schenn-Pavel Buchnevich

Kyle Clifford-Zack Bolduc-Logan Brown

Alexei Toropchenko-Tanner Kaspick-Nathan Todd

Jake Walman-Justin Faulk

Marco Scandella-Scott Perunovich

Griffin Luce-Robert Bortuzzo

Jordan Binnington will start in goal; Colten Ellis will be the backup.

- - -

The Blackhawks' projected lineup:

Alex DeBrincat-Tyler Johnson-Patrick Kane

Lukas Reichel-Jonathan Toews-Brandon Hagel

Alex Nylander-Dylan Strome-Ryan Carpenter

Jakub Pour-Reese Johnson-Dmitri Osipov

Jake McCabe-Seth Jones

Calvin de Haan-Caleb Jones

Nolan Allan-Ian Mitchell

Marc-Andre Fleury will start in goal; Collin Delia will be the backup.