Edmonton Oilers vs St. Louis Blues projected lineup and preview for November 3, 2025

Edmonton Oilers vs St. Louis Blues projected lineup November 3 2025: Oilers forward combinations

The Oilers will ice a lineup that showcases their elite star power while managing around several key absences. Connor McDavid centers the top line between Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Andrew Mangiapane, a combination that provides speed and offensive creativity. This trio will carry the heaviest responsibility for generating offense against a Blues team that has struggled defensively throughout their winless streak.

Leon Draisaitl anchors the second line with Vasily Podkolzin on his left wing and Jack Roslovic on the right. This configuration gives Edmonton two genuine scoring threats down the middle, allowing coach Kris Knoblauch to deploy favorable matchups throughout the game. Roslovic has shown chemistry with Draisaitl in recent outings, and his ability to find open ice could prove crucial against St. Louis’ defensive structure.

The third line features Matthew Savoie between Adam Henrique and Trent Frederic, bringing a balanced mix of skill and physicality. Savoie continues to develop his NHL game, and playing alongside veterans like Henrique provides valuable learning opportunities. Frederic adds an edge that Edmonton can use to establish physical dominance, particularly important in a road environment.

Rounding out the forward group, Isaac Howard, Noah Philp, and Curtis Lazar comprise the fourth line. This energy unit will be tasked with forechecking aggressively and limiting the Blues’ transition game. Howard, one of Edmonton’s promising young forwards, gets another opportunity to demonstrate his readiness for regular NHL action. The absence of Zach Hyman (wrist), Mattias Janmark (undisclosed), Kasperi Kapanen (knee), and Alec Regula (undisclosed) means several players face elevated responsibilities throughout the lineup.

Edmonton Oilers vs St. Louis Blues projected lineup November 3 2025: Oilers defensive pairings and goaltending

Edmonton’s blue line will be led by the elite pairing of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard. This duo combines Ekholm’s defensive reliability and leadership with Bouchard’s offensive creativity and power-play quarterbacking abilities. Against a Blues team desperate for offensive production, Ekholm’s positioning and gap control will be essential in limiting high-danger chances.

The second pairing features Darnell Nurse alongside Jake Walman, presenting an intriguing matchup given Walman’s familiarity with the Blues organization from previous seasons. Nurse brings size and physicality to the equation, while Walman offers mobility and transition skills. This partnership will likely draw assignments against St. Louis’ secondary scoring lines.

Brett Kulak and Ty Emberson round out the defensive corps as the third pairing. Emberson continues to establish himself as a reliable depth defenseman, and his partnership with the steady Kulak provides Edmonton with competent defense throughout their rotation. Troy Stecher will be a healthy scratch, giving the Oilers a veteran option should any adjustments become necessary.

Between the pipes, Calvin Pickard is projected to get the start, with Stuart Skinner serving as backup. Pickard’s opportunity to grab a victory on the road could be significant for Edmonton’s goaltending confidence moving forward. His performance against a Blues team that has struggled to generate consistent offense will be monitored closely as the Oilers look to maintain their position in the competitive Western Conference standings.

Edmonton Oilers vs St. Louis Blues projected lineup November 3 2025: Blues forward combinations with Thomas returning

The Blues’ lineup receives a massive boost with Robert Thomas returning to action after missing four games. Head Coach Jim Montgomery emphasized the importance of his return, stating, “We’ve got our No. 1 center back, so it’s a big boost. Everyone gets deployed appropriately with the minutes and especially match-ups as well, especially when you’re at home.” Thomas will immediately slot back into the top line alongside Pavel Buchnevich and Jimmy Snuggerud, recreating a combination that showed promise before his injury.

Thomas himself expressed optimism about rejoining the lineup, noting, “We feel like we’re building our team game and you can see that coming into play but you just haven’t got the results yet. If you continue to build your game the results will come eventually so, that’s why I’m excited to come back and hopefully help our team get a big win.” His playmaking ability and two-way awareness should help stabilize St. Louis’ attack and provide the structure they’ve lacked during his absence.

The second line undergoes a significant change as Brayden Schenn moves to left wing for the first time this season after playing center through the opening 12 games. Schenn will flank Pius Suter at center and Jordan Kyrou on the right side. This adjustment reflects Montgomery’s desire to optimize his lineup with Thomas back in the fold, allowing Schenn’s physical presence and scoring touch to complement Kyrou’s dynamic skating and offensive instincts.

Dylan Holloway, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Oskar Sundqvist comprise the third line, while Alexey Toropchenko, Nick Bjugstad, and Mathieu Joseph form the fourth unit. Nathan Walker will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season, a decision that reflects the coaching staff’s assessment of lineup balance. Jake Neighbours remains out with a leg injury, further testing St. Louis’ forward depth. The Blues will need contributions throughout their lineup to snap their seven-game winless streak and generate momentum moving forward.

Edmonton Oilers vs St. Louis Blues projected lineup November 3 2025: Blues defensive structure and goaltending plans

St. Louis’ defensive pairings feature Philip Broberg alongside Colton Parayko on the top unit, an interesting dynamic given Broberg’s previous tenure with the Edmonton Oilers before joining the Blues this season. Broberg’s mobility and offensive instincts complement Parayko’s reach and defensive awareness, creating a balanced pairing that will likely draw the assignment of shutting down McDavid’s line. Broberg’s familiarity with the Oilers’ systems and personnel could provide valuable insights for St. Louis’ defensive game plan.

Cam Fowler and Justin Faulk comprise the second pairing, bringing veteran savvy and offensive contributions from the back end. Both defensemen possess strong skating ability and can move the puck efficiently, qualities the Blues need to generate transition opportunities. This partnership will be crucial in supporting the Blues’ attack while maintaining defensive responsibility against Edmonton’s deep offensive threats.

Tyler Tucker and Matthew Kessel round out the defensive rotation as the third pairing. Tucker brings energetic skating and physicality, while Kessel continues developing his NHL game. Logan Mailloux will be scratched, giving the Blues a different look on the back end. The coaching staff will rely on this group to provide steady minutes and limit mistakes that have plagued the team during their recent struggles.

Jordan Binnington is expected to get the start in goal, with Joel Hofer backing him up. Binnington’s experience and competitive nature will be vital for St. Louis as they attempt to halt their winless streak. His performance against an Oilers team capable of explosive offensive bursts will determine whether the Blues can gain the two points they desperately need. The goaltender’s ability to make key saves during momentum swings could prove decisive in this matchup at Enterprise Center.

Key matchups and tactical considerations for November 3, 2025

The center ice battle between Connor McDavid and Robert Thomas represents one of the most intriguing aspects of this contest. While McDavid’s world-class speed and playmaking are well-documented, Thomas’ defensive awareness and positioning will be tested as he returns from injury. How Jim Montgomery deploys Thomas against McDavid’s line, particularly in home-ice situations where he has last change, could significantly impact the game’s flow and outcome.

The special teams battle could prove decisive given both teams’ need for offensive production. The Oilers’ power play, quarterbacked by Evan Bouchard, ranks among the league’s most dangerous units with both McDavid and Draisaitl providing elite playmaking and finishing abilities. Meanwhile, the Blues will look to generate momentum through their power play, which features Thomas and Dvorsky flanking the top unit according to recent reports. St. Louis’ penalty kill must find ways to limit Edmonton’s entries and shot quality, as surrendering power-play goals against this caliber of opponent can quickly turn games.

Physical play and puck battles along the boards will determine possession advantages throughout this matchup. Players like Trent Frederic for Edmonton and Alexey Toropchenko for St. Louis will engage in these crucial areas, winning pucks and creating space for their skilled teammates. The team that establishes physical dominance while maintaining discipline will likely control territorial play and generate more quality scoring chances.

The coaching adjustments from both Kris Knoblauch and Jim Montgomery will be fascinating to monitor. Similar to how lineups have evolved throughout the season, both coaches face pressure to maximize their available personnel. Knoblauch must manage injuries and maintain offensive production, while Montgomery seeks the right combination to finally break through and secure a victory. Their in-game adjustments, line matching strategies, and timeout usage could all factor into the final result.

What this game means for both franchises moving forward

For the Edmonton Oilers, maintaining consistency in their record despite significant injuries demonstrates organizational depth and resilience. A victory in St. Louis would push them further above .500 and provide momentum as they await the return of key players like Zach Hyman. The development of younger players like Isaac Howard and Matthew Savoie in expanded roles could pay dividends later in the season when the roster reaches full health. This game represents an opportunity to bank points before facing tougher stretches of their schedule.

The Blues, conversely, face mounting pressure to reverse their fortunes. A seven-game winless streak tests any team’s confidence and chemistry, and getting Thomas back provides both a talent upgrade and a psychological boost. Montgomery’s system implementation requires time, but results matter in professional sports, and St. Louis needs to start converting their building process into victories. The Blues have faced lineup challenges throughout the early season, making consistency difficult to achieve.

This matchup also carries implications for Western Conference positioning. While it’s early in the season, every point matters in what projects to be a highly competitive playoff race. The Oilers aim to establish themselves among the conference elite, while the Blues need to avoid digging too deep a hole that becomes insurmountable as the season progresses. Both teams understand the importance of capitalizing on home games and stealing points on the road.

As the puck drops at Enterprise Center, the Edmonton Oilers vs St. Louis Blues projected lineup November 3 2025 showcases two teams with contrasting motivations but equal desperation for two points. The Oilers want to build on their solid start and continue developing chemistry within their injury-depleted roster. The Blues need to prove that Thomas’ return provides the catalyst for escaping their winless streak and finding the form that management envisioned when constructing this roster. With skilled players throughout both lineups and tactical intrigue from two accomplished coaching staffs, this Monday night matchup promises competitive hockey with significant implications for both franchises as the season unfolds.