The St. Louis Blues head into Pittsburgh on Monday night facing their most challenging lineup puzzle of the early season. With two key forwards sidelined due to injury, head coach Jim Montgomery must shuffle his lines to compensate for the absences of Robert Thomas and Jake Neighbours. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins are dealing with their own injury concerns, most notably the loss of first-line winger Rickard Rakell to hand surgery. The 7 p.m. ET matchup at PPG Paints Arena pits a struggling Blues team (3-4-1) against a hot Penguins squad (6-2-1) that has found its footing early in the 2025-26 campaign.
Both teams enter this contest with modified lineups that will test their depth and adaptability. The Blues welcome back Alexey Toropchenko from injury, providing a boost to their bottom six, while the Penguins have recalled prospect Ville Koivunen from the AHL to fill the void left by multiple injured forwards. These lineup adjustments set the stage for an intriguing tactical battle between two coaches working with less-than-ideal rosters.
St. Louis Blues projected lineup October 27, 2025: forward lines undergo major shuffle
The Blues’ forward group has been significantly reorganized following the injuries to Thomas and Neighbours. Pius Suter, who typically centers the second or third line, finds himself elevated to the top unit between Pavel Buchnevich and rookie sensation Jimmy Snuggerud. This represents a considerable opportunity for Suter to prove his worth in a more prominent role while providing Snuggerud with a capable playmaker.
The second line remains intact with Mathieu Joseph centering Jordan Kyrou and captain Brayden Schenn. This trio has shown chemistry in recent games and will be expected to shoulder additional offensive responsibility with the top line in flux. Kyrou, in particular, needs to elevate his game after a somewhat inconsistent start to the season.
Dylan Holloway slots in on the third line alongside Oskar Sundqvist and Alexandre Texier, who returns to the lineup. This unit will be tasked with providing secondary scoring while maintaining strong defensive zone coverage. Texier’s return adds another dimension to the Blues’ forward corps, as his versatility allows Montgomery to deploy him in various situations.
The fourth line welcomes back Alexey Toropchenko, who rejoins Nick Bjugstad and Nathan Walker. Toropchenko’s return is particularly significant, as Montgomery highlighted his ability to draw penalties and his tenacious forechecking style. “Torps is one of those guys, I think he drew most of our penalties last year, so that’s going to help,” Montgomery noted. “But his speed, his tenacity on pucks. He has a great defensive stick. Another top-end penalty killer to add to our lineup.”
Montgomery addressed the challenge of losing two top-nine forwards candidly: “We’re missing two of our top nine forwards, so it impacts our depth of scoring. But the mentality of our team’s going to be the same: we’re going to check our [butts] off.” This philosophy will be crucial as the Blues try to contain Pittsburgh’s high-powered offensive stars.
The absence of Thomas is particularly concerning, as the center was injured early in the third period of Saturday’s 6-4 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Both he and Neighbours are listed as day-to-day, though no specific timeline for their return has been provided. Their status will be monitored closely in the coming days.
Pittsburgh Penguins projected lineup October 27, 2025: Rakell surgery forces AHL call-up
The Penguins’ lineup has been disrupted by Rickard Rakell’s hand surgery, which will sideline the productive winger for 6-8 weeks. Rakell typically occupies a crucial spot on Sidney Crosby’s left wing, and his absence creates a significant void in Pittsburgh’s offensive structure. In his place, the Penguins have slotted Filip Hallander on Crosby’s line alongside Bryan Rust.
The second line features Anthony Mantha with Evgeni Malkin and Justin Brazeau. This combination provides Pittsburgh with size and skill, as Mantha and Brazeau both bring physicality to complement Malkin’s elite playmaking abilities. This line will be critical in providing secondary scoring behind the Crosby unit.
The third line presents an interesting mix with Tommy Novak centering Ben Kindel and Ville Koivunen. Koivunen’s recall from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL represents an opportunity for the young forward to prove he belongs at the NHL level. He previously appeared in Pittsburgh’s first two games this season before being reassigned on October 11, and this second chance could be pivotal for his development.
The fourth line consists of Connor Dewar, Blake Lizotte, and Noel Acciari, providing the Penguins with a defensively responsible checking line. This trio will likely match up against St. Louis’s top forwards and contribute on the penalty kill.
Pittsburgh’s injury list extends beyond Rakell, with Kevin Hayes (upper body), Rutger McGroarty (upper body), and Caleb Jones (lower body) all sidelined. Philip Tomasino and Connor Clifton are healthy scratches, suggesting the coaching staff has opted for different personnel in tonight’s lineup.
Despite the injuries, the Penguins have started the season impressively with a 6-2-1 record. Their ability to generate offense from multiple lines has been a key factor in their early success, though they’ll need depth players to step up with Rakell unavailable.
Blues defensive pairings and goaltending for the St. Louis Blues vs Pittsburgh Penguins projected lineup October 27, 2025
The Blues’ defensive corps remains relatively stable with Cam Fowler and Colton Parayko anchoring the top pair. This veteran duo provides a blend of mobility and defensive reliability, with Fowler’s puck-moving abilities complementing Parayko’s shutdown mentality and long reach.
Philip Broberg and Justin Faulk comprise the second pairing, offering offensive upside from the back end. Broberg has shown flashes of the potential that made him a high draft pick, while Faulk continues to be a consistent presence on both ends of the ice. This pair will be crucial in supporting the transition game and joining rushes when opportunities arise.
The third pairing features Tyler Tucker and Logan Mailloux, two younger defensemen who provide depth. Matthew Kessel is scratched from the lineup, indicating that the coaching staff feels comfortable with these six defensemen for tonight’s matchup. Tucker and Mailloux will need to be solid in their limited minutes, particularly against Pittsburgh’s depth forwards.
Between the pipes, the Blues are expected to start either Jordan Binnington or Joel Hofer, with Binnington being the likely choice based on recent patterns. Binnington has been inconsistent to start the season, and his performance will be vital if St. Louis hopes to steal points on the road against a high-scoring Penguins team.
Penguins defensive setup and goaltending for tonight’s matchup
Pittsburgh’s blue line features the star power of Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang on separate pairings, allowing the Penguins to deploy an elite offensive defenseman in virtually every situation. Parker Wotherspoon partners with Karlsson on what appears to be the top pair, providing defensive stability alongside the dynamic Swedish blueliner.
Ryan Shea joins Letang on the second pairing, giving Pittsburgh another combination that can contribute offensively while maintaining defensive responsibility. Letang remains one of the league’s most complete defensemen even at this stage of his career, and his ability to quarterback the power play will be crucial.
The third pairing consists of Mathew Dumba and Harrison Brunicke. Dumba brings veteran experience and a physical edge, while Brunicke represents youth and energy on the bottom pair. Connor Clifton is a healthy scratch, suggesting the coaching staff prefers these six defensemen for tonight’s game.
In goal, Tristan Jarry is projected to start with Arturs Silovs serving as the backup. Jarry has been solid when called upon this season, and the Penguins will need him to be sharp against a Blues team desperate for a road victory. His ability to make timely saves and control rebounds will be tested by St. Louis’s forechecking pressure.
Key storylines and what to watch in the Blues vs Penguins October 27, 2025 clash
The most compelling storyline entering this game is how both teams’ depth will be tested by significant injuries. For St. Louis, the loss of Thomas and Neighbours removes two players who are critical to their offensive production. Pius Suter’s performance in an elevated role will be particularly interesting to monitor, as will rookie Jimmy Snuggerud’s continued development on the top line.
Pittsburgh’s ability to compensate for Rakell’s absence will also be fascinating to watch. Filip Hallander gets a golden opportunity to play with Sidney Crosby, one of the game’s all-time greats. If Hallander can develop chemistry with Crosby and Rust, he could solidify his place in the lineup even after players return from injury.
The battle between St. Louis’s revamped forward lines and Pittsburgh’s strong start to the season creates an intriguing contrast in team trajectories. The Blues have struggled to find consistency through their first eight games, while the Penguins appear to have rediscovered the form that made them perennial contenders. This game could serve as a measuring stick for where the Blues stand in relation to a playoff-caliber team.
Special teams will likely play a crucial role in determining the outcome. The return of Toropchenko, known for drawing penalties, could provide the Blues with additional power-play opportunities. Conversely, Pittsburgh’s potent power play featuring Karlsson, Crosby, and Malkin can quickly swing momentum in any game.
Goaltending matchups often decide games between evenly-matched teams, and tonight should be no exception. Whether it’s Binnington or Hofer for St. Louis, the Blues’ netminder will face a challenging assignment against Pittsburgh’s multiple scoring threats. Similarly, Jarry must be sharp to deny St. Louis’s attempts to generate offense despite their depleted forward group.
For fans tuning in at 7 p.m. ET on FanDuel Sports Network, SN-PIT, or NHL Network, this matchup offers plenty of intrigue beyond the final score. How both coaches navigate their injury situations and adjust their systems accordingly will provide insight into their team-building philosophies. The Blues need to find a way to grind out results while shorthanded, while the Penguins aim to continue their strong start and build momentum for the long season ahead. As the Hockey Writers detailed, both teams enter with question marks, but also opportunities for depth players to step into larger roles and make their mark.
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.