Kraken Vs Blues: Blues Return From Break to Host Kraken at Enterprise Center
The kraken vs blues matchup resumes Thursday night at Enterprise Center with an 8 p. m. ET start, marking the Blues' first game since Feb. 4. The outing matters because the Blues are returning from a long layoff while the Kraken arrive with playoff-position implications and a short checklist of tactical fixes.
Kraken Vs Blues: Game night details
The game is scheduled to start at 8 p. m. ET at Enterprise Center. The Blues enter the game listed 20-28-9 and 15th in the Western Conference; the Kraken are listed 27-21-9 and eighth in the conference. One roster status note lists Oskar Sundqvist as day-to-day with an upper-body issue. This matchup follows the teams' Olympic break and a recent slate of games that has left the Kraken focused on tightening their defensive structure.
Projected Blues lineup vs Seattle
St. Louis provided a projected lineup for the contest that includes several returns and a debut. Captain Brayden Schenn missed one practice with an illness but took the morning skate and is expected to play. Dylan Holloway, listed with an ankle issue and who has played one game since Dec. 12, will return to the lineup.
Forwards: Jake Neighbours - Pavel Buchnevich - Jordan Kyrou; Brayden Schenn - Dalibor Dvorsky - Jimmy Snuggerud; Dylan Holloway - Pius Suter - Jonatan Berggren; Alexey Toropchenko - Jack Finley - Nathan Walker.
Defense: Philip Broberg - Colton Parayko; Tyler Tucker - Justin Faulk; Cam Fowler - Logan Mailloux.
Robert Thomas is on a leave of absence for a personal matter and is expected to rejoin the team on Friday. Jack Finley will make his Blues debut after being claimed off waivers on Feb. 7. Finley, who was born in St. Louis and is the son of former Blues defenseman Jeff Finley, said playing for the organization was a dream and that his father will be in the building Thursday night.
Kraken focus and what to watch
Match previews have emphasized the Kraken's need to tighten defensively and limit penalties; one preview urged the team to capitalize on power-play chances and avoid time in the penalty box. In the immediate term, the kraken vs blues contest offers a chance to see whether the Kraken can translate that message into a low-event defensive performance and whether the Blues can shake off rust after an extended break.
Key takeaways
- Game time: 8 p. m. ET at Enterprise Center; Blues' first game since Feb. 4.
- Projected returns: Brayden Schenn expected to play; Dylan Holloway returns from an ankle issue.
- Roster notes: Robert Thomas on leave, expected back Friday; Jack Finley to make his Blues debut.
Looking ahead, the confirmed timeline for Thomas's return is an observable event: if he rejoins the club on Friday as expected, he would be available following this game. For the Kraken, observable indicators to watch are defensive metrics and special-teams chances during the contest; if those areas improve, it may signal a tighter path through the remainder of the schedule.
