Craig Berube hinted after Wednesday's team practice that there could be some lineup changes, and that is indeed the case for Thursday's 8 p.m. CT meeting with the Calgary Flames (Bally Sports, 101 ESPN).
Berube confirmed Thursday after the morning skate that he will go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen against Calgary. Robert Bortuzzo and Scott Perunovich will make their first appearances of the season, while Tyler Tucker will sit out.
"Our Top 4 (defensemen) play quite a bit and we have back-to-back games, so that was the reasoning a little bit there," Berube said.
Up front, Jakub Vrana will be the odd-man out for Thursday.
"We need more from him," Berube said of Vrana. "It's all honest play on the ice, and he's got to be better."
Joel Hofer will start in goal.
The Blues held an optional practice at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday, so the projected lineup below is based on Wednesday's practice lines and defense pairings. If updates are available at pregame warm-ups, they will be updated here.
