Projected Lineup: Feb. 23 vs. Vancouver

Forwards Pavel Buchnevich (lower-body) and Brandon Saad (upper-body) are both expected to return to the lineup Thursday night against the Vancouver Canucks (7 p.m., BSMW, 101 ESPN). The pair have missed two and four games, respectively.
"Having Buchy and Saad back, we're a much better team for sure," Blues Head Coach Craig Berube said. "The veterans have to lead by example-- from a work standpoint, compete standpoint, playing the right way."

Defenseman Torey Krug will not play Thursday night, according to Berube. Krug missed majority of the third period against Carolina with a lower-body injury Tuesday night.
With a onslaught of injuries, the Blues have had to rely on a younger core of players this season.
"Right now, I'm very pleased with our young guys," Berube said. "[Alexey Toropchenko], [Tyler] Pitlick and [Nathan Walker] are giving us great efforts every night. [Tyler] Tucker on the back-end. [Nikita Alexandrov] coming in [Tuesday] night... Those guys are going to give us everything no matter what."
The Blues held an optional morning skate Thursday. Here is the projected lineup based on Wednesday's practice at Centene Community Ice Center:

Projected Lineup

Forwards
Saad - Thomas - Kyrou
Barbashev - Schenn - Buchnevich
Blais - Brown - Leivo
Toropchenko - Walker - Pitlick
Defense
Leddy - Parayko
Scandella - Faulk
Tucker - Bortuzzo
Goalie
Binnington