Blues Settled In Sweden

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The Blues practiced earlier today in Sweden where they will oppose Detroit Friday afternoon in a regular season opener. The matchup will be the first of two that count against the Red Wings as start times will be 2:00 (CST) both friday and Saturday. Following the set the Note will return to town for a home opener on Thursday, October 8 against Atlanta.

The lines this morning were reportedly what we should expect against the Wings. David Backes centering Andy McDonald (LW) and David Perron (RW), Keith Tkachuk centering Paul Kariya (LW) and Brad Boyes (RW) and Patrik Berglund in the middle of Brad Winchester (LW) and T-J Oshie (RW). That leaves the inseparable trio of Alex Steen, Jay McClement and B-J Crobeen as a fourth...er, energy line. Veteran Derek Armstrong is still on the Blues' roster but will likely be the last cut unless the team sends one of its eight healthy defenseman (Tyson Strachan?) back to Peoria.

The team's roster is esentially at 25 with one more cut necessary by Wednesday. Defenseman Eric brewer and winger D-J King are expected to begin the season on injured reserve. Goaltender Ben Bishop is with the team and allowed to be a 24th man (teams can carry a max of 23 players in the regular season), if you will, until the team plays in North America.

TPC