St Louis Blues News

Hofer will start for the Blues on Thursday as the team seems to be gaining confidence in the rookie goaltender. On Saturday, Hofer saved 30 of 33 shots, guiding the Blues to a 6-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, his second win of the season. Hofer will have his work cut out for him as the Blues face an Arizona Coyotes team that has points in four of their last five (3-1-1) and ranks in the top half of league scoring (3.25 GF / GP). A strong performance from Hofer could go a long way in securing more time between the crease, as teammate Jordan Binnington has allowed four or more goals in three of his last four starts (1-3-0).

Hofer is expected to start for the Blues on Thursday as the team seems to be gaining confidence in the rookie goaltender. On Saturday, Hofer saved 30 of 33 shots, guiding the Blues to a 6-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, his second win of the season. Hofer will have his work cut out for him as the Blues face an Arizona Coyotes team that has points in four of their last five (3-1-1) and ranks in the top half of league scoring (3.25 GF / GP). A strong performance from Hofer could go a long way in securing more time between the crease, as teammate Jordan Binnington has allowed four or more goals in three of his last four starts (1-3-0).

Fabbri returned to the Red Wings roster on Tuesday after being activated from the injured reserve, held without a point, playing only 12:42 time-on-ice as the team attempts to ease him in after missing 10 consecutive games. In his return, he skated on the third line alongside Joe Veleno and Daniel Sprong. He will miss Thursday vs. Montreal as he eases his way back into things after his injury.

Fabbri returned to the Red Wings roster on Tuesday after being activated from the injured reserve, held without a point, playing only 12:42 time-on-ice as the team attempts to ease him in after missing 10 consecutive games. In his return, he skated on the third line alongside Joe Veleno and Daniel Sprong.

The Red Wings received positive news on Tuesday as Robby Fabbri was activated from the injured reserve and will make his return to the Red Wings lineup on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. Fabbri, who has dealt with injuries his entire career, was injured in the Red Wings' first game of the season but still managed to score one point (1G / 0A) in 14:44 time-on-ice. He will likely skate on the third line alongside Joe Veleno and Daniel Sprong.

Binnington will return to the Blues' crease on Tuesday after serving as the backup to Joel Hofer in the team's most recent contest on Saturday, a 6-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Binnington has been unpredictable when called upon this season but has shown more good than bad, sporting a 2.38 GAA and .924 SV% in seven contests (3-1-1). The Blues have struggled to provide Binnington with goal support all season (2.40 GF / GP) but are coming off a season-best six-goal performance that they will hope to carry into their matchup against the Winnipeg Jets, who are -138 road favourites.

The Red Wings received positive news on Monday as Robby Fabbri will make his return to the Red Wings lineup on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. Fabbri, who has dealt with injuries his entire career, was injured in the Red Wings' first game of the season but still managed to score one point (1G / 0A) in 14:44 time-on-ice. He will likely skate on the third line alongside Joe Veleno and Daniel Sprong.

Broberg dressed as a seventh defenseman for the Oilers on Thursday, recording a -1 plus/mins in only 5:46 time-on-ice, and has now been reassigned to the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL. Broberg has 11 points (2G / 9A) in 77 career NHL games, dating back to the 2021-22 season.

Tucker was a healthy scratch in two of his last three games and will sit in the press box once again on Friday, allowing Robert Bortuzzo to draw back into the Blues' lineup. In six games this season, Tucker registered one point (1G / 0A), six blocks, and nine hits while averaging 12:35 time-on-ice.

Binnington's forgettable 2022-23 campaign, where he posted a 3.31 GAA and .894 SV% in 61 games (27-27-6), seemed to be a thing of the past when he started this season with a 1.25 GAA and .959 SV% in his first three games (2-0-1). However, memories of last season are flooding back as Binnington has allowed 12 goals in his last three contests (0-3-0) and posted a .870 SV%. In Binnington's defence, the team in front of him hasn't provided much help as they rank second-worst in the league offensively (1.75 GF / GP). The Blues are +133 home underdogs on Friday against a New Jersey Devils team that ranks second-best in the league offensively, averaging 4.22 goals per game.

Binnington's forgettable 2022-23 campaign, where he posted a 3.31 GAA and .894 SV% in 61 games (27-27-6), seemed to be a thing of the past when he started this season with a 1.25 GAA and .959 SV% in his first three games (2-0-1). However, memories of last season are flooding back as Binnington has allowed 12 goals in his last three contests (0-3-0) and posted a .870 SV%. In Binnington's defence, the team in front of him hasn't provided much help as they rank second-worst in the league offensively (1.75 GF / GP). The Blues are +133 home underdogs on Friday against a New Jersey Devils team that ranks second-best in the league offensively, averaging 4.22 goals per game.

Binnington will be the starter for the Blues on Wednesday as they visit the Colorado Avalanche. The 30-year-old netminder is hoping to get back into the win column after losing consecutive games (0-2-0) and recording a .875 SV%. Before that, Binnington was off to a torrid start with a 2-0-1 record and .959 SV% but seems to have levelled off to more familiar territory in recent games. The Blues are +194 road underdogs on Wednesday even though the Avalanche have been shut out in consecutive contests.

Binnington appears to be the starter for the Blues on Wednesday as they visit the Colorado Avalanche. The 30-year-old netminder is hoping to get back into the win column after losing consecutive games (0-2-0) and recording a .875 SV%. Before that, Binnington was off to a torrid start with a 2-0-1 record and .959 SV% but seems to have levelled off to more familiar territory in recent games. The Blues are +194 road underdogs on Wednesday even though the Avalanche have been shut out in consecutive contests.

Toropchenko missed practice on Sunday as he tended to a lower-body injury but isn't expected to miss any game action. Toropchenko has two points (0G / 2A), six shots, and eight penalty minutes in seven games.

Binnington will get the nod in net on Friday after serving as a backup to Joel Hofer in the Blues' 3-0 victory over the Calgary Flames on Thursday. Despite his first regulation loss in his most recent appearance, Binnington has had a solid start to the season, showcasing a 1.69 GAA and .945 SV% in four games (2-1-1). Binnington hasn't finished either of his previous two seasons with a save percentage above .901 but the Blues coaching staff hope competition from Hofer can help him elevate his game. The Blues are +169 road underdogs against a Vancouver Canucks team that is off to a strong 4-2-0 start, outscoring their opposition 23-15.

Tucker has registered one point (1G / 0A), six blocks, and eight hits in five games and will be a healthy scratch on Thursday. Scott Perunovich will make his season debut and fill in for Tucker on the Blues' blueline.

Hofer will get his second start of the season on Thursday and look to rebound after allowing six goals on 42 shots in his only game thus far, a 6-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes. Hofer expected to challenge Jordan Binnington for starts this season but that endeavor has temporarily paused as Binnington has demanded the net with a blistering start, registering a 1.69 GAA and .945 SV% in four games (2-1-1). The Blues are +162 road underdogs but should be able to give the Calgary Flames a run for their money as they have been outscored 25-17 to start the season (2-4-1).