Injury Uncertainty Clouds Blues' Matchup with Panthers
ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Blues are facing a tough test Thursday night against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers - and they might have to do it short-handed.
Jake Neighbours, Jordan Kyrou, and Oskar Sundqvist are all game-time decisions heading into the matchup, and their availability could shape how the Blues approach one of the league’s most structured and relentless teams.
Neighbours left Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars after blocking a shot and suffering a lower-body injury. Kyrou exited the same game with an upper-body issue following a collision. Head coach Jim Montgomery said both are considered day-to-day, not week-to-week, which offers some optimism - but nothing is guaranteed.
Sundqvist, meanwhile, hasn’t played since January 18 after taking a skate to the ankle in a game against Edmonton. The laceration was deep enough to land him on injured reserve, but he’s eligible to return if he’s cleared before puck drop.
“I still don’t know,” Montgomery said Wednesday when asked about his lineup. “It’s an optional skate.
(Neighbours and Kyrou) are going to see how they feel. (Sundqvist) is going to see how he feels, so unfortunately, I don’t have any answers for you.
If you guys want to come see me again at 5:45, you’re more than welcome.”
To cover their bases, the Blues recalled forwards Matt Luff and Hugh McGing from Springfield (AHL) under emergency conditions. Both skated during the optional morning session, suggesting they’re ready if called upon.
In addition to the trio of game-time decisions, the Blues are managing a growing list of injuries. Dylan Holloway (high ankle sprain), Robert Thomas (lower body), and Pius Suter (also a high ankle sprain) remain on IR. If Sundqvist suits up, he’ll be activated off the list.
Blues Look to Recapture December Magic vs. Panthers
This will be the second and final meeting of the season between the Blues and Panthers. The last time these two faced off, St. Louis delivered a statement win - a 6-2 road victory back on December 20, which also happens to be their most recent road win.
Montgomery pointed to puck management and defensive zone exits as the keys to that win.
“I thought our puck pressure was really good and I thought we managed the puck coming out of our D-zone,” he said. “We didn’t let them sustain offensive zone time, which is the strength of their team. They sustain offensive zone [pressure] through the puck pressure of their defensemen and their forwards reloading better than anyone in the league in my opinion.”
He also praised his wingers for winning wall battles and using the boards effectively to create foot races - a critical tactic against a Florida team that thrives on keeping the puck hemmed in the offensive zone.
“If you’re successful there, you’re going to get odd-man rushes,” Montgomery added. “If you’re not, you’re going to spend a lot of time in your end.”
Projected Lineups
Blues:
- Forwards:
Jonatan Berggren - Brayden Schenn - Jimmy Snuggerud
Jake Neighbours - Pavel Buchnevich - Jordan Kyrou
Robby Fabbri - Dalibor Dvorsky - Mathieu Joseph
Alexey Toropchenko - Nick Bjugstad - Nathan Walker
- Defense: Philip Broberg - Colton Parayko Tyler Tucker - Justin Faulk Cam Fowler - Logan Mailloux
- Goaltenders: Joel Hofer (starter) Jordan Binnington (backup)
Healthy scratches could include Matthew Kessel, Hugh McGing, and Matt Luff. Sundqvist is a game-time decision, and Suter, Thomas, and Holloway remain out.
Panthers:
- Forwards:
Carter Verhaeghe - Evan Rodrigues - Sam Reinhart
Mackie Samoskevich - Sam Bennett - Matthew Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarinen - Cole Schwindt - Brad Marchand
Sandis Vilmanis - Luke Kunin - A.J.
Greer
- Defense: Gustav Forsling - Aaron Ekblad Niko Mikkola - Uvis Balinskis Tobias Bjornfot - Jeff Petry
- Goaltenders: Daniil Tarasov (starter) Sergei Bobrovsky (backup)
Florida’s injury list remains lengthy. Seth Jones, Aleksander Barkov, Tomas Nosek, Jonah Gadjovich, Dmitry Kulikov, and Anton Lundell are all out, leaving the Panthers to rely on depth and structure - two things they’ve leaned on well during their championship runs.
Final Word
Thursday’s game is more than just another date on the calendar. For the Blues, it’s a chance to measure themselves against one of the NHL’s elite - and perhaps more importantly, to find some consistency in a season that’s been anything but. Whether they’ll have all hands on deck remains to be seen, but if they can replicate the formula that worked in December, they’ll give themselves a real shot.