Backes doesn't look like himself yet. Hopefully its just part of fully recovering from his injury.
Oshie, who knows. I hope he takes his time and comes back healthy.
I'm not sure who you put between Tarasenko and Schwartz, Lehtera or Stastny. could the SOB line reunite and be effective? If so, either Stastny or Lehtera center the other line with...Berglund and Lindstrom? I think Jaskin has looked better than Lindstrom. But I still expect him to be sent down when the team is healthy.
The Blues are in the strange position of having a quality center who is probably not going to have line mates of similar skill.
It has to be said, but I think the best near term lines would look like:
Steen Stastny Oshie (MAYBE Lindstrom)
Schwartz Lehtera Tarasenko
Berglund Backes Lindstrom (or Oshie)
You can put Jaskin in for Oshie for now.
Backes would have more limited minutes and be used to match up defensively. The Blues can have two excellent lines or three good lines with flaws.
Finally, I'd like to see Pietro and Bouwmeester have less minutes without too much drop off. Gunnarson and Shattenkirk need time to grow chemistry. You can play Pietro longer in the playoffs, but let's not wear him into the ground.
Goal....solid. We knew it would be even if the fans around the league hold onto old perceptions of Elliott.