“I’m a born winger,” Saad said. He struggled in the faceoff circle going 9 for 38 in his two games at center, so he was back on the wing on Sunday. Saad likely will play on the third line, where he spent most of the playoffs. “He’s playing on your top two [lines], then all of a sudden if he plays on your third line, that line is a very dangerous line offensively,” Quenneville said.
Pietrangelo, 23, dressed in 47 games last season, leading the Blues’ defense with 24 points (five goals and 19 assists) while ranking 13th in ice time per game (25:06) among all National Hockey League (NHL) defensemen. Since his first full season in 2010, Pietrangelo is tied for sixth among all defensemen in points (118), ranks 10th in goals (28), tied for ninth in assists (90) and slots 15th in plus/minus (+34) while he became the youngest defenseman in Blues history to record back-to-back 40-plus point seasons in 2010-11 (43) and 2011-12 (51).
Smith does not expect to have any fantasy significance.
Senators coach Paul MacLean wanted a bigger body around the opposing net -- something the 6-foot-2, 188-pound Stone can provide. Due to his previous experience with Spezza, Stone is expected to flank the veteran center on the right, with Milan Michalek skating on the left. The move has made Cory Conacher the odd-man out. Stone had 38 points in 54 games in the AHL this season.
It was not previously reported but Saad will also be out of the lineup tonight.
The guess is that neither Alex Chiasson (shoulder) nor Lane MacDermid (upper body) will be ready to go Thursday. Or, if either is questionable, the Stars would like to have Smith at practice Wednesday and ready to go on Thursday vs. Vancouver.
Smith was sent down yesterday, but has been called up once again. He three goals and three assists in 28 games with the Stars this season.
Smith had one assist and a minus-2 in his last seven games.
Pietrangelo missed the Blues last game with the flu but he is expected to return to the lineup tonight vs. the Canucks. He is one of the best young defensemen in the NHL. He has five goals and 13 assists in 27 games this season.
Late scratch for the Blues.
Hopefully this is the boost the Blues need to get back into the series.
Same old day-to-day, upper body story from the Blues coaches on the hit by Dwight King. Keep an eye on him before the game.
Smith gets a look on the top line. He has no points in his first two games.
Smith gets back into the lineup tomorrow. He has no points in two career games.
McNabb gets another look with the team. He scored a goal and five points in his first 21 games with the Sabres.
Smith will make his NHL debut on the fourth line tonight.
Smith just finished his third season at Miami University (Ohio), scoring 30 goals and 48 points. He could possibly help out the NHL club.
McNabb goes back to the AHL with seven healthy d-men and Tyler Myers back from a suspension. The rookie scored a goal and five points in 21 games.
