Mason McTavish will take warmups Saturday in Nashville, but he remains a gametime decision for the Blues' noon game against Nashville at Bridgestone Arena. Jim Montgomery said Saturday morning he expects McTavish to be able to play, even though the forward did not practice Friday.
That uncertainty is why the Blues Vs Predators matchup has a different feel heading into the opening faceoff. Nashville has won three straight games, and Montgomery said he will make a few adjustments to his forward lines if needed, including moving Connor McMichael to center and Dalibor Dvorsky to the wing.
McTavish's status also affects the Blues' projected combinations. If he is available, Aleksanteri Kaskimaki stays in a Top 6 role on a line with Jake Neighbours and McTavish, a setup Montgomery said he liked Thursday in New Jersey. The projected lineup also lists Dylan Holloway with Robert Thomas and Jimmy Snuggerud, while Alexey Toropchenko, Pius Suter and Ross Johnston fill out another forward line.
The defensive pairs are projected to remain Philip Broberg with Brandon Carlo, Colton Parayko with Justin Barron, and Cam Fowler with Adam Jiricek. That leaves the forward group as the main variable, and with a noon start in Nashville, the final answer on McTavish will not come until after warmups. If he cannot go, the Blues will have to finish setting their lines on the fly.
