allen_projected

CHICAGO - Jake Allen will be between the pipes on Wednesday night when the Blues begin a three-game road trip at United Center in Chicago (7 p.m., NBCSN, KMOX).

Allen will be making his first start since Nov. 3 after Chad Johnson made three consecutive starts. In his last game at United Center, Allen stopped 46 of 50 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss on Oct. 13.
"It's time," Blues Head Coach Mike Yeo said of getting Allen back in. "Also, obviously his last game in this building, his last game in Chicago had a factor on that as well."
Pat Maroon and Jay Bouwmeester are expected to return to the lineup Wednesday. Both players have been out as healthy scratches.
"Both guys, both veterans guys, we want to get them back in. We've got to keep everybody involved here," Yeo said. "Both guys handled it with a lot of professionalism, they've worked really hard and I'm excited to get them back in."

Allen, Bouwmeester, Maroon on playing vs. Chicago

"It feels good to be back. Hopefully I can bring some energy and some life and get back to what I'm capable of doing," Maroon said. "...I think my 5-on-5 play wasn't that good. I usually get all my points 5-on-5 and I haven't been up to par. I've got to find ways to get back to that game."
Added Bouwmeester, "As a team, I think we're playing a lot better in the last little while. Hopefully that continues and hopefully I can just play a solid game. It hasn't been a lot of fun (sitting out). You want to be playing. It is what it is. Nothing stops for any individual. I know that, I just try to be a good teammate and when you have a chance to play, play your best. You can't really dwell on things."
The Blues held an optional skate Wednesday, so the projected lineup is based on Tuesday's practice at the Ice Zone.
Forwards
Schwartz - O'Reilly - Tarasenko
Fabbri - Bozak - Steen
Sanford - Thomas - Perron
Maroon - Barbashev - Sundqvist
Defense
Gunnarsson - Pietrangelo
Dunn - Parayko
Edmundson - Bouwmeester
Goalie
Allen