As the St. Louis Blues gear up to take on the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center, fans can expect some fresh faces in the lineup. The puck drops at 6 p.m., and you can catch all the action on FanDuel Sports Network and 101 ESPN.
Nathan Walker is set to make his return, stepping in on the fourth line in place of Jonathan Drouin. Drouin, a recent trade acquisition, has been given a brief leave to handle personal matters but is slated to be back in time for Friday's clash at the Enterprise Center.
With Drouin out, Pius Suter will be moving up to center the second line, flanked by Pavel Buchnevich and Otto Stenberg. This shift could bring some intriguing dynamics to the Blues' offensive strategy, as Suter's playmaking abilities are complemented by the skill sets of Buchnevich and Stenberg.
On the defensive end, no changes are expected. Theo Lindstein, who made his NHL debut on Tuesday, will continue to hold his spot.
Lindstein impressed in his first outing, logging an assist and a +1 rating in just over 13 minutes of ice time. Head coach Jim Montgomery praised Lindstein's debut, noting his skating, puck handling, and ability to close down space effectively.
In goal, Jordan Binnington is likely to start, as he took the morning skate in the starter's net. His presence between the pipes will be crucial as the Blues aim to secure a win against a formidable Hurricanes squad.
It's shaping up to be an exciting matchup, with the Blues looking to capitalize on their lineup adjustments and maintain momentum in the season.