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St. Louis Blues Opening Night Lines

By Andrew Martin

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STL Today’s, Jeremy Rutherford, reported on the latest line combinations from St. Louis Blues practice at the University of Michigan.

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While many have speculated for months as to what changes could be made, Ken Hitchcock is beginning to tip his hand as to how the Blues will line up at the Scottrade Center on Thursday evening against the Edmonton Oilers. I’ll list them here and give my take on what could be the opening forward combinations and defensive pairings on Thursday.

Forwards

Alexander Steen–Paul Stastny–Vladimir Tarasenko

Robby Fabbri–Jori Lehtera–Jaden Schwartz

Dmitrij Jaskin–David Backes–Troy Brouwer

Scottie Upshall/Steve Ott–Kyle Brodziak–Ryan Reaves

The first iteration of the line combinations for the St. Louis Blues isn’t too earth-shattering. I understand the top line, and their preseason chemistry is undeniable. Robby Fabbri starting on the 2nd line is somewhat of a surprise, but he has the talent to be effective in that slot.

Apr 3, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; St. Louis Blues center Paul Stastny (26) skates against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Blues defeat the Stars 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

I can’t wait to see Fabbri, Lehtera, and Schwartz on the 2nd line for our Blues. Lehtera’s passing ability is going to lead to many opportunities for Schwartz and Fabbri. As long as Lehtera’s ankle is healed, I’d expect him to be able to provide assists galore on the 2nd line.

Being able to see the big-bodied Brouwer and Backes on the 3rd line should lead to the bullying of the opposition for goals. I’d expect Jaskin to be firing in shots from the point for Brouwer and Backes to slot home.

I would imagine David Backes moving up to the 2nd line at some point this season. Whether that’s as a RW or a C remains to be seen. Don’t be surprised if Scottie Upshall is scratched ahead of Thursday night’s game. Steve Ott, Ryan Reaves, and Kyle Brodziak will be the 4th liners for much of the season. Otter and Reaves will be terrorizing opposing teams from the get go agains the young Oilers.

Defense

According to Daily Faceoff, the St. Louis Blues’ defensive pairings for the start of the season will be fairly straightforward.

Alex Pietrangelo/Jay Bouwmeester

Carl Gunnarsson/Kevin Shattenkirk

Petteri Lindbohm/Andre Benoit

I’m not expecting these to change very much at the beginning of the year, but injuries can always shake things up. In that case, Robert Bortuzzo and Chris Butler will see their time with the Blues increase. I think both Butler and Bortuzzo have a lot to offer that 3rd defensive group throughout the long NHL season.

Dec 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) during the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Shatty and Gunnarsson will be a solid duo, with no. 22 scoring more goals than most defenders in the league, as usual. Pietro and Bouwmeester will be an interesting pair this season. Bouwmeester is looking to have a better 2015-2016 than this past season. He will need to be more productive in the offensive half as well as trying to stay injury-free as much as possible.

One way or another, it all begins on Thursday night. The road to the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Next: St. Louis Blues Goalie Situation Still Unclear

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