Projected Lineup: April 2 vs. Washington

ST. LOUIS - Tage Thompson will return to the lineup after sitting out for two games, and Chris Butler will take Mitch Reinke's spot on the final defense pair Monday when the Blues host the Washington Capitals at 7 p.m. at Scottrade Center (FSMW, FSGO, KMOX).

Thompson's return is made possible by an injury to Scottie Upshall. The team announced Monday morning that
Upshall would be out indefinitely with a lacerated kidney
.
"You don't want to see 'Uppy' go down like that," Thompson said after Monday's morning skate. "But it's a big opportunity for me. I just have to make the most of it."
Butler will be playing in his first game since Feb. 23 in Winnipeg. He has played in two games with the Blues this season but has posted 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) and a plus-12 rating in 60 games with the AHL's San Antonio Rampage.
"(Butler) is a veteran guy, it's a good chance (for him)," Blues Head Coach Mike Yeo said. "We got a good look at Mitch (Reinke) and I think Mitch did a good job last game. We'll get a good look at 'Butts' here tonight… The reports we've gotten are he's been playing very well... That's what we're hoping for. Hopefully he has a good game.

"We've seen him play a lot of games, both at the NHL and the American League level, where he is a reliable defensive player, a guy that can execute, move the puck and play with poise when the game is on the line," Yeo added.
Here is the rest of the projected lineup for Monday's game:

Forwards

Jaden Schwartz - Brayden Schenn - Vladimir Tarasenko
Patrik Berglund - Kyle Brodziak - Alexander Steen
Dmitrij Jaskin - Vladimir Sobotka - Tage Thompson
Ivan Barbashev - Oskar Sundqvist - Chris Thorburn

Defense

Joel Edmundson - Alex Pietrangelo
Vince Dunn - Colton Parayko
Chris Butler - Robert Bortuzzo

Goalie

Jake Allen