Kessel has only played one game with the Blues since February 24 but has signed a two-year, $1.6 million contract extension. The 23-year-old Kessel was the fifth-round pick of the Blues in the 2020 NHL Draft and has three points (0G / 3A) in 23 games this season.
The Blues snapped a three-game losing streak in their last outing with Joel Hofer between the pipes but will return to Binnington on Wednesday night. Binnington has allowed three or more goals in his last two starts (0-2-0) but has been serviceable most of the season, posting a 2.86 GAA and .911 SV% in 46 games (22-18-3). The Blues enter action as +136 home underdogs against a Los Angeles Kings squad coming off a 3-0 victory over the New York Islanders.
Dean was acquired by St. Louis last season in a trade that involved Ivan Barbashev heading to Vegas and has earned his first call-up to the Blues of his career. The 21-year-old was Vegas' 2021 1st-round pick (30th overall) and had eight goals, 13 points and 23 PIMs in 47 games with Springfield (AHL) this season.
Hofer has been limited to only one start in the last six games but will return to the crease on Monday night. The 23-year-old Hofer has been serviceable this season but is riding a three-game losing streak (0-4-0), posting a .893 SV%. The Blues have lost three straight (0-3-0) and enter action as sizeable +200 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins club that has outscored their opposition 9-2 in their last two games (2-0-0).
Bjugstad will play on Friday after missing Thursday's game due to the impending birth of his child. He will center Matias Maccelli and Alex Kerfoot on the team's second line.
Bjugstad has five points in his last eight games (4G / 1A) along with 21 shots and 19 hits. Most recently, Bjugstad has played on a line with Matias Maccelli and Lawson Crouse.
Binnington has performed admirably most of the season, keeping the Blues in playoff contention, and will return to the crease on Thursday night. The 30-year-old Binnington had the night off on Tuesday, a 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders, but is riding a two-game winning streak, allowing only one goal in both outings. The Blues enter action as +157 road underdogs on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils.
Bjugstad has five points in his last eight games (4G / 1A) along with 21 shots and 19 hits. Most recently, Bjugstad has played on a line with Matias Maccelli and Lawson Crouse.
Tucker will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Scott Perunovich to draw back into the lineup. Tucker played two of the last four games for the Blues, averaging more than 10 minutes of ice time while recording 7 hits.
Binnington has performed admirably most of the season, keeping the Blues in playoff contention, and will likely return to the crease on Thursday night. The 30-year-old Binnington had the night off on Tuesday, a 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders, but is riding a two-game winning streak, allowing only one goal in both outings. The Blues enter action as +157 road underdogs on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils.
Sundqvist has quietly been productive in a depth role with the Blues this season, earning himself a two-year, $3 million contract extension. In 62 games this season, Sundqvist has 21 points (5G / 16A), 75 hits, and 46 blocks.
Holloway has struggled to assert himself offensively in the NHL, tallying only four points (3G / 1A) in 32 games with the Oilers this season. With the impending trade deadline approaching, his reassignment to the Bakersfield Condors (AHL) suggests the Oilers could be trying to alleviate cap space ahead to make an acquisition.
Tucker finds himself back in the Blues' lineup on Tuesday vs. New York as he replaces Scott Perunovich for the second half of St. Louis' back-to-back. Tucker will draw into the Blues' third defensive pairing and will hope to build off his one goal, two points, 11 SOG, 27 PIMs and +1 plus/minus through 17 games played.
With St. Louis in the second half of their back-to-back on Tuesday Joel Hofer will start vs. the New York Islanders. The 23-year-old backup has been excellent when called upon in his third NHL season, with his 10-10-0 record, 2.88 GAA and .911 SV%. He will host the New York Islanders on Tuesday, who are in the midst of a three-game winning streak but are still 20th in the NHL in goals per game (2.98).
The Blues will turn to Binnington again on Monday night for his third straight start. Binnington was terrific in his last outing, saving 21 of 22 shots (.955 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. The 30-year-old Binnington has been tremendous since mid-January, posting a .924 SV% through 12 contests (7-4-1). The Blues are +122 road underdogs on Monday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Blues will likely turn to Binnington again on Monday night for his third straight start. Binnington was terrific in his last outing, saving 21 of 22 shots (.955 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. The 30-year-old Binnington has been tremendous since mid-January, posting a .924 SV% through 12 contests (7-4-1). The Blues are +122 road underdogs on Monday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.
