Preseason Game Preview: Carolina Hurricanes at St. Louis Blues

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.