In a perfect world, Covid-19 would be a thing of the past. In a slightly less perfect but still ok world, Ryan O’Reilly and Brandon Saad would both be healthy and in tonight’s lineup.
Alas, we live in neither a perfect world nor a slightly less perfect but still ok world. This is Earth in 2021, and the Blues, just like every other NHL team, get to deal with absences thanks to breakthrough infections. Luckily, the Blues seem to have better depth up front than many NHL squads this season, because tonight’s lines don’t look half bad.
Forwards
Kostin - Schenn - Perron
Kyrou - Bozak - Buchnevich
Barbashev - Thomas - Tarasenko
Neighbours - Joshua - Neal
Defense
Scandella - Parayko
Krug - Faulk
Walman - Bortuzzo
Goalie
Binnington
That’s a big vote of confidence to Klim Kostin, who has played well since making the team out of training camp.