BLUES The St. Louis Blues will carry a 12-game home point streak (11-0-1) into Thursday's matchup with the Seattle Kraken, but keeping that streak alive won't be easy.
The Blues currently have five players in COVID protocols: David Perron, Brayden Schenn, Vladimir Tarasenko, Colton Parayko and Scott Perunovich. Jake Walman, who was also sidelined due to COVID, was back on the ice with the team on Wednesday morning for practice.
Blues Head Coach Craig Berube wasn't certain whether Tarasenko or Perunovich, who have been in protocols since Jan. 6, would be eligible to play Thursday. Perron, Schenn and Parayko are each still within their five day minimum and won't be available.
"It's tough," Berube said. "(There are) some real good players obviously out right now. Like I said, the next guy has to step in and do the job. We rely on our depth that we have in the organization and that's what we have to do."
With all the absences, James Neal could play in his first game in nearly two months. He last played on Nov. 22 in Vegas before sustaining and injury and then landing on the COVID list.
"He's been working hard, he's been a good pro that's been around, and he keeps himself in good shape," Berube said of Neal. "He practices hard and should be ready to go."
KRAKEN The Seattle Kraken will be making their first trip to St. Louis in franchise history on Thursday night.
The Kraken began play at the start of the 2021-22 season. Their lineup, which was built through the expansion draft in the offseason, is highlighted by Jordan Eberle, Jared McCann and Yanni Gourde, who rank first, second and third, respectively, in points this season.
Former Blue Jaden Schwartz has 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 29 games with Seattle after signing with the Kraken as a free agent, but an injury will prevent Schwartz from playing on Thursday night.
Vince Dunn, who was selected by Seattle in the expansion draft, is expected to play. Dunn has three goals and 10 assists (13 points) this season.
The Kraken find themselves in eighth place in the Pacific Division with a 10-21-4 record (24 points). Seattle played Wednesday against the Dallas Stars, falling 5-2.
HEAD-TO-HEAD Thursday's game will be the first-ever meeting between the teams. The Blues will travel to Seattle for the first time on Jan. 21 to meet the Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena.
