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It was the best of time, it was the worst of times - the Blues and Hurricanes are currently studies in contrast. The Canes are trying to rebound from a season in which they finished second to last in the Metropolitan Division with 83 points. Unfortunately forward Jordan Staal, who the Canes were wanting to lean on, shattered his fibula last Tuesday on a hit by Josh Georges, who said in an interview later that he "heard [Staal] scream." That's never a good sign. Unfortunately for Carolina it's knocking one of their most skilled centers out for three to four months.
The Blues are getting reinforcements back in the form of Jaden Schwartz who will be, don't forget, sporting number 17 to honor his sister Mandi. Unfortunately he won't be in tonight since he's still knocking off the rust. He'll be in Thursday night against the Wild(s). Here're today's practice lines for the thus-far winless Blues from the Post-Dispatch:
Forwards:
Patrik Berglund-David Backes-T.J. Oshie
Alexander Steen-Paul Stastny-Joakim Lindstrom
Robby Fabbri-Jori Lehtera-Vladimir Tarasenko
Steve Ott-Jaden Schwartz-Maxim Lapierre
Peter Mueller-Dmitrij Jaskin-Magnus Paajarvi
Chris Porter-Colin Fraser-Ryan Reaves/Paul Bissonnette
Defensemen
Jay Bouwmeester-Kevin Shattenkirk
Petteri Lindbohm-Alex Pietrangelo
Barret Jackman-Ian Cole
Chris Butler-Jordan Leopold
Nate Prosser-Ryan Whitney
Carl Gunnarsson
Goalie
Brian Elliott
Jake Allen
Matt Climie
And tonight's gameday lineup from the team's website:
Forwards: David Backes, Patrik Berglund, Robby Fabbri, Dmitrij Jaskin, Jori Lehtera, Joakim Lindstrom, Peter Mueller,T.J. Oshie, Magnus Paajarvi, Paul Stastny, Alexander Steen, Vladimir Tarasenko
Defense: Jay Bouwmeester, Barret Jackman, Petteri Lindbohm, Alex Pietrangelo, Nate Prosser, Kevin Shattenkirk
Goalies: Brian Elliott, Jake Allen
It's looking more and more like a real line-up every day.