In a bid to improve team chemistry, St. Louis Blues Head Coach Drew Bannister has announced some changes to the forward lines for the upcoming matchup against the Florida Panthers. The alterations were made following a team practice on Wednesday in Florida and aim to address areas where the team needs to improve.

While the first line of Pavel Buchnevich, Robert Thomas, and Jordan Kyrou will remain intact, Bannister is seeking to find the perfect chemistry on the remaining three lines. Speaking about the changes, Bannister stated, "There are areas as a group that we need to get better in. I need to find some chemistry, whether it's the first line, second line, third line, or fourth line - until I find that chemistry, we'll continue to make changes."

During Tuesday's game, the coach made some alterations to the lines, but they did not have the desired effect. As a result, further adjustments were made during Wednesday's practice session. Bannister expressed hope that the changes would result in a more cohesive performance during Thursday's game against the Panthers.

One of the changes includes the assignment of Hugh McGing to the Springfield Thunderbirds, which allowed Sammy Blais to return to the lineup on the fourth line. Additionally, Jake Neighbours has been shifted up to the second line, playing alongside Brayden Schenn and Kasperi Kapanen. Brandon Saad has been moved to the third line, joining forces with Kevin Hayes and Alexey Toropchenko.

In terms of the defensive pairs, no changes are expected, meaning that Nick Leddy will continue to partner with Colton Parayko, Torey Krug with Justin Faulk, and Marco Scandella with Tyler Tucker. However, goaltender Joel Hofer is expected to start in goal for the Blues.

The changes to the forward lines indicate the team's commitment to finding the winning combination and improving their overall performance on the ice. As the Blues face off against the Panthers, the entire team will be motivated to showcase their enhanced chemistry and secure a key victory.

The game between the St. Louis Blues and the Florida Panthers is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Bally Sports, with coverage also available on 101 ESPN. Blues fans will be eagerly watching to see how the revised forward lines fare and whether the team can secure a much-needed win.