Blues Adjust Lineup for Crucial Matchup Against Flames

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The St. Louis Blues face a pivotal matchup against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night at Enterprise Center, as they aim to close the five-point gap in the Western Conference Wild Card race. The game, set for 7 p.m., will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network, 101 ESPN, and the Blues App.

Coming off a 2-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, the Blues are looking to rebound with a revamped lineup. Head Coach Jim Montgomery emphasized the importance of the game, stating, “The opportunity in front of us creates excitement. Calgary’s playing really good hockey here, especially in their last 5-7 games… we will see when we drop the puck tonight, the determination and the North hockey that we need to have to be able to establish ourselves against a real good hockey team.”

Montgomery has made several key adjustments to the lineup. Jake Neighbours will move to the first line, joining Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich, replacing Brandon Saad. “I thought in the last 3-4 games, Jake Neighbours’ second, third effort on pucks, turning over pucks, being in the right areas, being physical, has really had a big uptick,” Montgomery said. “It’s really important to have a player with those traits, especially when you’re playing with a puck possession center like Thomas, and a puck possession/200-foot winger like Buchy.”

Additionally, Alexandre Texier will re-enter the lineup on the third line, replacing Zack Bolduc, while Mathieu Joseph will take Nathan Walker’s spot on the fourth line. Montgomery explained the changes, saying, “[We’re looking] for a spark. Joseph is someone who we think can help our penalty kill and hopefully create a little more offense… and Texier is a guy that’s gone in and done a really good job – but both of them need to bring the consistency that we’re looking for in our team.”

Defensively, the Blues will maintain their current pairings, with Jordan Binnington starting in goal. The Flames, meanwhile, enter the game with momentum, having won five of their last seven games.

The Blues’ lineup for Tuesday’s game includes:

Forwards: Jake Neighbours – Robert Thomas – Pavel Buchnevich; Dylan Holloway – Brayden Schenn – Jordan Kyrou; Brandon Saad – Oskar Sundqvist – Alexandre Texier; Alexey Toropchenko – Radek Faksa – Mathieu Joseph.

Defense: Cam Fowler – Colton Parayko; Philip Broberg – Justin Faulk; Ryan Suter – Tyler Tucker.

Goalie: Jordan Binnington.

Scratches include Zack Bolduc, Nathan Walker, and Scott Perunovich, while Nick Leddy (lower-body injury) and Torey Krug (ankle surgery) remain on injured reserve.

With the playoff race heating up, Tuesday’s game could prove crucial for the Blues’ postseason aspirations.