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Tonight's pre-season game will be veteran heavy, according to coach Ken Hitchcock. In an interview with Norm Sanders of the Belleville News Democrat, Hitch mentions his plans to load the line-up with some familiar faces for the Blues' first home exhibition game. According to Norm:
Friday's game will include the Blues' top line of David Backes centering Alexander Steen and T.J. Oshie along with Patrick Berglund with newcomer Magnus Paajarvi and Vladimir Tarasenko.
The defense pairings Friday will include Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester and Barret Jackman with Kevin Shattenkirk.
Pietrangelo missed only two days during his contract holdout, so Hitchcock wants him getting as many minutes as much as possible.
"He feels really good right now," Hitchcock said. "We'll see how much game stuff he needs. If he looks like he needs to play a lot more, he might just play the rest of the games."
Jaroslav Halak is the Blues goaltender Friday and Jake Allen will play Saturday.
Looks like the trio of goaltenders competing for time will just rotate - sorry, young guys. Enjoy Chicago (or wherever you get sent to).
From the Blues' official site, here's the full line-up card:
FORWARDS
Alexander Steen - David Backes - T.J. Oshie
Magnus Paajarvi - Patrik Berglund - Vladimir Tarasenko
Adam Cracknell - Maxim Lapierre - Ryan Reaves
Yannick Veilleux - Corey Locke - Tyler Shattock
DEFENSE
Jay Bouwmeester -Alex Pietrangelo
Barret Jackman - Kevin Shattenkirk
Ryan Whitney - Joel Edmundson
GOALIES
Jaroslav Halak
Brian Elliott
Anyone other than me excited about that third line? I know it's after the fact, but if the Blues want revenge for blowing a winable game and letting Vladimir Sobotka get plowed, all they need to do is unleash that line.
You won't be seeing William Carrier, Zach Pochiro, Ryan Tesink, and goaltender Francois Tremblay again in a pre-season game. They've all been re-assigned to their junior squads. You also won't be seeing Adam Erne again tonight either - he's been Shanabanned for three preseason games.
If you're going to the game, have fun and be safe. If you're not, well, welcome to the Game Day Thread. Listen in on Y98.
Let's win one. Let's Go Blues.