Pierre-Olivier Joseph will return from a three-game absence due to a lower-body injury, resulting in Kessel being a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Kessel has been a regular in the lineup this season, averaging 12:47 time-on-ice, scoring two points (0G / 2A).
For the sixth time in seven games, the Blues will roll with Binnington in their crease. The 31-year-old Binnington has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, posting a 3.19 GAA and .887 SV% in 15 games (5-8-1). He has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five (1-4-0). The Blues enter the action on Thursday as sizeable -220 home favorites against a San Jose Sharks club defeated 5-2 last night by the Dallas Stars.
Albert Johansson will draw back into the Red Wings lineup on Thursday, resulting in Holl being a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Holl is averaging 15:36 time-on-ice, has one point (0G / 1A), 15 blocks, and eight hits in 12 games this season.
With Robert Thomas returning from an ankle injury, Sundqvist will step out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 30-year-old Sundqvist is averaging 12:03 time-on-ice and has two points (2G / 0A) in 12 games this season.
Only four weeks after suffering a fractured ankle, expected to keep him out of the lineup for 6-8 weeks, Thomas will return to action on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. At the morning skate on Monday, he was skating on the top line with Pavel Buchnevich and Jordan Kyrou. The 25-year-old Thomas had six points (1G/5A) in seven games before his injury.
For the fifth time in six games, the Blue will turn to Binnington between the pipes. The 31-year-old Binnington saved 15 of 17 shots (.882 SV%) in his last outing, a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins, and has a 3.20 GAA and .887 SV% in 14 games this season (5-7-1). The Blues enter the action on Tuesday as +144 home underdogs against the Minnesota Wild, losers of two of their last three (1-1-1).
For the fifth time in six games, the Blue will likely turn to Binnington between the pipes. The 31-year-old Binnington saved 15 of 17 shots (.882 SV%) in his last outing, a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins, and has a 3.20 GAA and .887 SV% in 14 games this season (5-7-1). The Blues enter the action on Tuesday as +144 home underdogs against the Minnesota Wild, losers of two of their last three (1-1-1).
On the tail end of a back-to-back, Hofer will return to the crease for only the second time this month. The 24-year-old Hofer has been inconsistent in limited action this season, posting a 3.33 GAA and .903 SV% in five games (3-2-0).
Albert Johansson will draw back into the Red Wings lineup on Friday, sending Holl to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Holl is averaging 15:58 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A), 13 blocks, and five hits in 10 games this season.
Drouin has not played since the first game of the season, missing 16 consecutive contests, but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. After several forgetful seasons, the 29-year-old Drouin had a career-high 56 points (19G / 37A) in 79 games last season. That said, at least to start, Drouin will be on the second line, away from his familiar spot alongside Nathan MacKinnon.
Loof was the third-round pick, 88th overall, of the St. Louis Blues in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old Loof has one point (0G / 1A) in 11 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) this season. In a corresponding move, the Blues recalled Corey Schueneman from the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL).
The Blues have lost three straight, outscored 15-5, and will turn to Binnington between the pipes on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 31-year-old Binnington has an ugly 3.26 GAA and .887 SV% in 12 games this season (4-7-1). The Blues enter the action on Thursday as +146 road underdogs against a Sabres club coming off a 7-5 loss to the Montreal Canadiens that will be without Tage Thompson and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen due to injuries.
Drouin has not played since the first game of the season, missing 16 consecutive contests, but could return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. After several forgetful seasons, the 29-year-old Drouin had a career-high 56 points (19G / 37A) in 79 games last season.
Drouin has not played since the first game of the season, and will miss a 16th consecutive contest on Wednesday. After several forgetful seasons, the 29-year-old Drouin had a career-high 56 points (19G / 37A) in 79 games last season, and could return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals.
Loof was the third-round pick, 88th overall, of the St. Louis Blues in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old Loof has one point (0G / 1A) in 11 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) this season.
Fowler played a season-low 17:11 time-on-ice for the Ducks on November 5th and has missed two games since. The 32-year-old Fowler is leading all Ducks, averaging 21:17 time-on-ice this season and has two points (0G / 2A) in 12 games this season.
Despite allowing eight goals on 27 shots (.704 SV%) in the Blues' previous game, an 8-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, Binnington will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. Skewed significantly from his previous outing, Binnington is sporting an ugly 3.28 GAA and .886 SV% through 11 games this season (4-6-0). The Blues enter the action on Tuesday as +151 home underdogs against a Bruins club with a -12 goal differential through 16 games this season (7-7-2).
