Finally Blues fans are seeing the the big guns play during the pre-season, as Paul Stastny, David Backes, and most of the rest of the Blues' core are back out on the ice.
Hey! Have you heard that Paul Stastny is with the Blues now? The team has done an awful job of promoting that he signed over the summer, so you may've missed it.
You won't miss it tonight, because Stastny is suiting up to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight in a revenge rematch for the Blues 4-3 overtime loss Sunday. Ok, that's too dramatic for a pre-season game. They're just still looking at line combos and prospects and who to cut and where to put David Backes and Patrik Berglund (wing when necessary seems to be the trend there).
Still, preseason hockey games are better than no hockey games. Blues fans tonight will be looking at some of their old favorites and new arrivals as well as rookies trying to stick with the club for as long as possible. From the Blues' website:
FORWARDS: David Backes, Ivan Barbashev, Cody Beach, Colin Fraser, Jori Lehtera, Joakim Lindstrom, Peter Mueller, Paul Stastny, Alexander Steen, T.J. Oshie, Vladimir Tarasenko, Yannick Veilleux
DEFENSE: Jay Bouwmeester, Chris Butler, Ian Cole, Petteri Lindbohm, Alex Pietrangelo, Nate Prosser
GOALIES: Brian Elliott, Niklas Lundstrom
Of note: this will be Lehtera's debut in front of the home crowd just as much as it's Stastny's. I think that I'm equally excited for each. Keep your eyes on Barbashev, as he's showing promise, and Peter Mueller is trying to work to regain his reputation. The former 8th overall pick (by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2006 draft) began his NHL career with a 22 goal season, but injuries have prevented him from realizing his potential.
Brian Elliott allowed one goal on 12 shots Monday night against the Dallas Stars; his counterpart Lundstrom allowed three goals on 13 shots.
Puck drop is at 7:00, with coverage on KMOX 1120 and streaming on the Blues' website.