The St. Louis Blues have sent a clear message to their team by making Jordan Kyrou a healthy scratch for Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. This decision comes as part of a shakeup after an inconsistent string of recent performances.
Following a puzzling 6-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, Coach Jim Montgomery and captain Brayden Schenn expressed frustration with the team’s effort. Montgomery said the game slipped away "from the drop of the puck," noting, "We didn’t start on time, and we got worse after the first period."
“Unacceptable” and “don’t compete and battle” were words spoken Wednesday, echoing earlier concerns from this season.
This came despite earlier signs of progress including a solid 3-2 win over the two-time defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers and a strong 3-1 victory against the Dallas Stars prior to a seven-game winless streak (0-5-2).
Hunter Hofer is set to start in goal after a relief appearance Wednesday, as the Blues seek to reverse their recent slump.
The big question remains: which Blues team will show up Thursday? The focused one that played well against Edmonton or the one that faltered in Washington? The lineup and recent moves suggest the team is desperate for a turnaround.
Author’s summary: The Blues are making lineup changes to revive their form after a tough loss and inconsistent performances, signaling a critical moment in their season.