blais_bench

The St. Louis Blues won't be getting any reinforcements back in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Kings (8:30 p.m. NBCSN, 101 ESPN).

The team is still dealing with a significant amount of injuries. Jaden Schwartz (lower-body), Colton Parayko (undisclosed) and Tyler Bozak (upper-body) did not practice Wednesday. Vladimir Tarasenko did skate but isn't ready to return just yet, and Robert Thomas (hand), Ivan Barbashev (ankle) and Carl Gunnarsson (knee, out for season) are all still a ways away.
As a result, Blues Head Coach Craig Berube will largely use a similar lineup to Monday's game.
Based on Wednesday's morning skate, Sammy Blais is expected to get a chance with Ryan O'Reilly and David Perron on the top line. Jordan Kyrou, who was there Monday, will play with Mike Hoffman and Brayden Schenn.
"We're trying to find some combinations here amongst all the lines," Berube said. "I thought Kyrou did a great job up with those guys, but I didn't see much from Schenn's line. We've got to get some balance there. 'Blaiser' has played with those guys before and has been successful."
With Gunnarsson out, Niko Mikkola will draw back into the lineup for the first time since Feb. 8.

PROJECTED LINEUP

Forwards
Blais - O'Reilly - Perron
Hoffman - Schenn - Kyrou
Sanford - Sundqvist - Poganski
Clifford - de la Rose - MacEachern
Defense
Krug - Faulk
Dunn - Bortuzzo
Mikkola - Scandella
Goalie
Binnington