The St. Louis Blues are making a hard choice before Tuesday night’s game against the New York Rangers. Ross Johnston returns to the lineup after missing time with a lower-body injury, which forces Aleksanteri Kaskimaki to the bench. NHL.com reported that Johnston last played on Oct. 15 before practice injury landed him on injured reserve on Oct. 18. This move hurts, but it makes sense for a team chasing a three-game winning streak.
A Painful Decision for the Coach
Blues Head Coach Jim Montgomery knows this is not a simple swap. Kaskimaki has been solid and even scored his first goal on Saturday. Montgomery admitted the difficulty directly. “It is a tough decision. Kaskimaki has played really well, so it’s hard, especially with him getting his first goal (Saturday),” Montgomery said. He added that the situation is actually good for the team. “It’s hard to take someone out, but at the same time, it’s a pleasant place to be when everyone is playing well and you have a hard time taking someone out.”
Lineup Shifts and Injury Updates
With Johnston back, the forward lines are moving around. Dylan Holloway rejoins the top line alongside Robert Thomas and Jimmy Snuggerud. Jake Neighbours slides back to the third line alongside Dalibor Dvorsky and Pavel Buchnevich. Colton Parayko joined practice but will not play Tuesday due to an upper-body injury. Montgomery noted he is improving but not ready yet. “He’s much better, he’s not there yet. We’re looking at this as what’s best for him and the team long term… he’s getting very close and might be an option Thursday.”
The Blues play at Madison Square Garden. The game starts at 6 p.m. CT and will air on Blue Note+ and 101 ESPN. They need to beat the Rangers to keep their momentum going. The streak reaches three games.
