The St. Louis Blues are set to welcome back two key forwards, Jordan Kyrou and Jimmy Snuggerud, to their roster as they prepare to take on the Nashville Predators this Saturday at 7 PM. This matchup takes place after the Blues have been struggling to find consistency in their lineup. Currently, St. Louis holds a record of 14 wins, 16 losses, and 8 ties, while Nashville is slightly ahead at 16 wins, 16 losses, and 4 ties.
Injured Forwards Return to Blues Roster
Kyrou has been sidelined for the past nine games due to a lower-body injury he sustained on December 5 against the Ottawa Senators. His return this weekend aims to bolster the Blues’ offensive depth. Meanwhile, Snuggerud missed the last 12 games following surgery to address an issue with his left wrist. He last played on November 29 against the Utah Mammoth. Snuggerud trained for two weeks before being cleared to return.
Impact on the Roster
The return of both players necessitates changes in the lineup. Key players, Mathieu Joseph and Robby Fabbri, will sit out as the coaching staff looks to integrate Kyrou and Snuggerud back into gameplay. Blues head coach Jim Montgomery highlighted the importance of both forwards in executing the team strategy effectively.
- Kyrou will line up with Brayden Schenn and Jonatan Berggren.
- Snuggerud is set to play alongside Pius Suter and Dalibor Dvorsky.
Montgomery noted, “They are skillful players we rely on not just for scoring but for contributing to the game overall.”
Road Ahead for the Blues
The Blues find themselves currently three points away from a wild card playoff spot as they approach a critical stretch of 19 games leading into the Winter Olympics break. With 36 points, the team recognizes the urgency of performing well to stay competitive.
After a brief rest period, Montgomery expressed optimism about the team’s energy during recent practices. He remarked, “We have shown improvement in our execution at a high level.”
The upcoming bout with the Predators is their third encounter within 12 days, a series that has not favored the Blues, who have been outscored 12-4 in previous meetings.
Predators Projected Lineup
As the Blues prepare to face the Predators, here’s a look at Nashville’s anticipated lineup:
- Filip Forsberg – Ryan O’Reilly – Luke Evangelista
- Michael Bunting – Erik Haula – Steven Stamkos
- Tyson Jost – Fedor Svechkov – Matthew Wood
- Reid Schaefer – Michael McCarron – Cole Smith
Defensively, the Predators will feature Roman Josi and Nick Perbix, along with Brady Skjei and Adam Wilsby. In goal, Juuse Saros will start, backed up by Justus Annunen.
Final Thoughts
With both Kyrou and Snuggerud back in the lineup, the Blues hope to regain momentum. Fans look forward to a spirited performance against the Predators as the team strives for critical points in their playoff chase.
