Blues at Penguins Game Day Thread: Fabbri-less

Tonight the Blues are headed to Hockeyville to take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. The game starts at 7:00 at can be seen on NBC Sports Network or streamed on the NBCSN app. It can also be heard on KMOX 1120 AM, at KMOX.com, on the Blues radio network or through the Blues mobile app.

It was announced Sunday morning that Robby Fabbri will be out for the rest of the preseason due to issues with his surgically repaired knee and will be re-evaluated in ten days.

Despite the disappointing news for young Fabbri the Blues still have plenty of fire power making the trip. Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, Paul Stastny, Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko will all see time on the ice as well as exciting prospects Sam Blais, Robert Thomas, Jake Walman and Vince Dunn.

From the Blues website, here is tonight's lineup:

Forwards: Sam Blais, Kyle Brodziak, Dmitrij Jaskin, Jordan Kyrou, MacKenzie MacEachern, Wade Megan, Brayden Schenn, Jaden Schwartz, Vladimir Sobotka, Paul Stastny, Chris Thorburn, Vladimir Tarasenko, Robert Thomas

Defense: Vince Dunn, Joel Edmundson, Carl Gunnarsson, Colton Parayko, Alex Pietrangelo, Nate Prosser, Jake Walman

Goalies: Carter Hutton, Jordan Binnington

After a lackluster game Saturday night look for head coach Mike Yeo to have the attention of his team re-focused on what is important during preseason games. Execution, commitment to defense, crisp passes and clean exits should all be a point of emphasis regardless of which line is on the ice.

Besides being a precursor for the Blues first regular season game, tonight's match has special meaning for members of the surrounding community.

Kraft Hockeyville, which is in it's third season in partnering with the NHL and the NHLPA in the United States, awards $150,000 in upgrades to a community ice rink in dire need of repairs, then brings an NHL preseason game to that rink in celebration of the project's completion. This year's rink - Rostraver Ice Garden in Belle Vernon, PA - saw its roof collapse nearly seven years ago due to heavy snow.

Unfortunately, the Ice Garden is not yet equipped to host Sunday's preseason game, so the event has shifted to the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, PA. The complex is the official practice facility of the Penguins. [Blues.com]

So sit back, grab a beverage of your choice and feel good about supporting the NHL for a change.

This is your Preseason Game Day Thread so comment like you are laying on your couch with a re-injuried knee.