The St. Louis Blues are gearing up for an exciting clash against the New Jersey Devils as they kick off their four-game homestand on Friday night. With the Devils boasting an impressive 6-2-1 record and an impressive 4.33 goals-per-game average, the Blues are preparing for a tough challenge.

Head Coach Craig Berube has made some adjustments to the lineup, aiming to find the perfect combination to take on the dynamic Devils. While the first and second lines remain unchanged, Berube has made some subtle tweaks to the third and fourth lines.

One notable change is the promotion of Alexey Toropchenko to the third line, a move that highlights the team's confidence in the young forward. Toropchenko will join forces with Kevin Hayes and Jakub Vrana, forming a potentially formidable offensive trio. Meanwhile, Sammy Blais will bring his energy and physicality to the fourth line, adding depth to the Blues' forward corps alongside Oskar Sundqvist and Jake Neighbours.

On the defensive end, Robert Bortuzzo is set to return to the lineup following his absence. Bortuzzo's presence will bolster the Blues' defensive pairing as he joins forces with Marco Scandella. This change sees Tyler Tucker making way for Bortuzzo, demonstrating the team's commitment to maximizing defensive stability.

The projected lineup for the highly anticipated match against the Devils is as follows:

Forwards:
- Pavel Buchnevich - Robert Thomas - Kasperi Kapanen
- Brandon Saad - Brayden Schenn - Jordan Kyrou
- Alexey Toropchenko - Kevin Hayes - Jakub Vrana
- Sammy Blais - Oskar Sundqvist - Jake Neighbours

Defense:
- Nick Leddy - Colton Parayko
- Torey Krug - Justin Faulk
- Marco Scandella - Robert Bortuzzo

With these adjustments, the Blues hope to counter the Devils' offensive firepower and build on their own success. As the two teams face off on Friday night at 7 p.m. local time, fans can expect an intense battle between these talented squads.

The game will be broadcasted on Bally Sports, with live coverage and analysis available on 101 ESPN. Hockey enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting this thrilling matchup, eager to witness the clash of skill and determination on the ice.

As the Blues seek to make a strong statement against the high-flying Devils, all eyes will be on the ice as these two formidable teams go head-to-head.