In preparation for their game against the San Jose Sharks, the St. Louis Blues are shaking up their lineup in hopes of securing a crucial win. Head Coach Drew Bannister has announced one change to their forward lines, as well as a new starting goaltender.

Nathan Walker is set to take over the center spot on the fourth line, while Sammy Blais will make his long-awaited return to the lineup, replacing Zach Dean. Blais, who has accumulated seven points in 45 games this season, will be hitting the ice for the first time since their 4-0 loss to the New York Rangers back on March 9th. Bannister praised Blais for his ability to play a physical game and emphasized the importance of him utilizing his shot and contributing to the team's offensive efforts.

The Blues find themselves in a tight race for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Currently sitting just five points behind the Los Angeles Kings in the Wild Card race, every point matters. Bannister acknowledged the importance of this matchup and emphasized the need for his team to elevate their play from the outset, stating, "We can't play down to our opponents tonight and find ourselves relying on luck to secure a victory. We have to dominate right from the start and be the superior team throughout the whole game."

In addition to the changes in the forward lines, Joel Hoffer is expected to take his place between the pipes for the Blues, marking his 24th start of the season. The Blues will count on Hoffer's steady presence in the net as they look to solidify their position in the playoff hunt.

The new forward lineup for the Blues is as follows: Pavel Buchnevich, Robert Thomas, and Jake Neighbours on the first line; Brandon Saad, Brayden Schenn, and Jordan Kyrou on the second line; Zack Bolduc, Kevin Hayes, and Alexey Toropchenko on the third line; and Sammy Blais, Nathan Walker, and Kasperi Kapanen on the fourth line.

On defense, the Blues will deploy Nick Leddy and Colton Parayko on the top pairing, Torey Krug and Matthew Kessel on the second pairing, and Scott Perunovich alongside Justin Faulk.

With nine games left in the regular season, the St. Louis Blues are determined to earn every possible point and secure their place in the playoffs. The changes made to their lineup, including the return of Sammy Blais and the insertion of Nathan Walker, will be essential for the team's success as they face off against the San Jose Sharks. The game promises to be a high-stakes battle as both teams vie for crucial points in the heated Western Conference Wild Card race.