Thomas (wrist) will return to the Blues lineup for Game 6.
Thomas has been out since Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals but is set to return in a potential Stanley Cup clinching Game 6 in St. Louis. Thomas, who has six points (1G / 5A) in the postseason, will replace Ivan Barbashev who was suspended for a hit to the head on Marcus Johansson in Game 5.
Source: Lou Korac 06/9/19, 3:51 pm EST
Suspension
The NHL has suspended Ivan Barbashev for one game for his hit to the head on Marcus Johansson.
While Johansson was taking a shot, Barbashev caught him in the head with his shoulder and the NHL deemed it was worthy of a one-game suspension. Robert Thomas, if he’s healthy, will likely replace Barbashev in Game 6, but if he can’t play it will be Robby Fabbri.
Line Change
Edmundson will be a healthy scratch for Game 5.
Despite winning in Game 4, the Blues will make on minor change in Game 5. Edmundson will come out of the lineup with Robert Bortuzzo drawing back onto the blueline. Edmundson has recorded seven points (1G / 6A) in 21 playoff games.
Source: Lou Korac 06/6/19, 11:05 am EST
Line Change
Bortuzzo will draw back into the Blues lineup for Game 5.
Bortuzzo was a healthy scratch in Game 4 with Vince Dunn returning from injury but will replace Joel Edmundson in the lineup on Thursday. Bortuzzo has registered two goals in 15 playoff games.
Source: Lou Korac 06/6/19, 11:03 am EST
Goalie Start
Binnington will start Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Binnington was pulled for the first time in his NHL career in the Blues Game 3 loss to the Bruins. Binnington allowed five goals on 19 shots before being replaced by Jake Allen. Binnington has been tremendous at bouncing back after a loss in the playoffs, going 5-2 with 1.84 GAA and .947 SV%.
Source: Dan Rosen 06/3/19, 12:31 pm EST
Dunn (face) will return to the Blues lineup for Game 4.
Dunn will play for the first time since taking a puck off of his face in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final. Dunn, who has two goals and five assists (seven points) in 16 playoff games, will replace Robert Bortuzzo on the Blues’ third pairing and will play on the second power-play unit.
Line Change
Sundqvist will draw back into the Blues lineup for Game 4.
Sundqvist was suspended for Game 3 for his hit on Matt Grzelcyk in Game 2. Sundqvist will replace Robby Fabbri in the lineup for Game 4 and comes in with one assist in the series and nine points (4G / 5A) in 21 playoff games. He will centre the Blues’ fourth-line with Ivan Barbashev and Alex Steen on his wings.
Source: Lou Korac 06/3/19, 12:18 pm EST
Suspension
Sundqvist has been suspended for Game 3 for boarding on Matt Grzelcyk.
Sundqvist received a two-minute minor for boarding on the play but has been suspended for Game 3 in St. Louis. Zach Sanford will replace Oskar Sundqvist on the fourth line.
Dunn (face) will not play in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Dunn has skated regularly this week and was a full participant on Wednesday but isn’t ready to return to the lineup for Game 2. The Blues depth defensemen had a tough time in Game 1 so they certainly could have used Dunn’s services in Game 2.
Source: Lou Korac 05/29/19, 2:20 pm EST
Fabbri will draw into the Blues lineup for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Fabbri has been a healthy scratch since Game 5 of the Blues round-two win over the Stars, but will replace Robert Thomas in the lineup for Game 2 in Boston. Fabbri, who had just six points in the regular season, has just one goal in eight playoff games.
Source: Lou Korac 05/29/19, 2:19 pm EST
Thomas (undisclosed) will not play in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Thomas was crushed by Bruins defenseman Torey Krug late in Game 1 and will not play in Game 2. Head coach Craig Berube said that his absence is not related to that hit, but he will be replaced by Robby Fabbri regardless of what is taking him out of the lineup. This will be Fabbri’s first game since May 3rd, when he appeared in Game 5 vs. the Stars.
Source: Lou Korac 05/29/19, 2:13 pm EST
Thomas (undisclosed) will play in Game 1.
Thomas has sat out the last few practices, including Monday’s morning skate, but will play in Game 1 in Boston. Thomas has performed well during the postseason, scoring one goal with five assists (six points) in 19 games.
Goalie Start
Binnington stopped 25 of 26 shots in the Blues 5-1 win over the Sharks in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. Binnington had a .912 SV% in the series and has posted a .914 SV% across the postseason. The Blues will start the Finals on the road, where Binnington has gone 7-2 with a 2.36 GAA, .913 SV% and one shutout in the playoffs.
Source: 05/27/19, 10:31 am EST
Dunn (mouth) doubtful for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Dunn skated skated for the second straight day on Sunday but is not expected to play in Game 1 in Boston. Dunn has been out since Game 3 after being struck in the mouth by a Brenden Dillon shot. Blues head coach Craig Berube said there is a “good chance” that Dunn will be back at some point during the series. In the mean time, veteran defenseman Carl Gunnarsson will remain in the Blues lineup and has averaged 11:47 TOI/gm in the three games that he has replaced Dunn.
Source: Lou Korac 05/27/19, 9:54 am EST
Gunnarsson (lower-body) will not play in Game 2.
Gunnarsson skated prior to Game 2 but will not play in San Jose. Head coach Craig Berube said that Gunnarsson is “very close to being ready,” so look for Gunnarsson to play in Game 3 or 4 back in St. Louis.
Goalie Start
Binnington will start Game 2 in San Jose.
Binnington allowed five goals on 24 shots in the Blues 6-3 loss to the Sharks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Following a loss, Binnington has gone 3-2 with a 1.97 GAA and .938 SV%, so look for him to have a strong performance in Game 2.
Goalie Start
Binnington will start Game 7 vs. the Stars.
Binnington allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Blues 4-1 win in Dallas in Game 6. Overall, Binnington has been better in round two than he was vs. the Jets, posting a .914 SV% through six games. The 25-year-old has gone 2-3-1 while allowing a combined 17 goals on 178 shots (.905 SV%) in six games the Enterprise Center during the postseason.
Line Change
Bortuzzo will be a healthy scratch in Game 5.
Bortuzzo replaced Joel Edmundson in Games 3 and 4 but will come back out of the lineup in an important Game 5 in St. Louis. Carl Gunnarsson will move down to play in Bortuzzo’s spot on the third-pairing.
Line Change
Edmundson will be back in the Blues lineup for Game 5.
Edmundson was a healthy scratch in Games 3 and 4 but will replace Robert Bortuzzo in Game 5. Edmundson, who will be back on the top-pairing with Alex Pietrangelo, has two assists, four PIMS and 10 shots in eight playoff games.
Goalie Start
Binnington will start Game 5 vs. the Stars.
Binnington allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Blues 4-2 loss in Dallas in Game 4. The series now becomes a best-of-3 and the Blues are going to need more out of Binnington in Game 5. After a strong start to the series, Binnington has allowed a combined 10 goals on 96 shots (.896 SV%) in the last three games. On home-ice in the playoffs, Binnington is 2-2-1 while stopping 136 of 151 shots (.901 SV%).
Source: Jim Thomas 05/3/19, 12:32 pm EST