Worthy: Blues run, Doug Armstrong’s approach a reminder that it’s not all about numbers
Blues defenseman Philip Broberg skates the puck in the defensive zone as he is challenged by the Blue Jackets’ Zachary Aston-Resse in the second period of a game Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, at Enterprise Center.
Post-Dispatch Blues beat reporter Matthew DeFranks joined columnist Jeff Gordon to discuss Dalibor Dvorsky’s NHL debut and Zack Bolduc’s continuing development.
It’s win now, not win tomorrow or next year or in two years. Win now.
That’s the goal. Full stop. It shouldn’t have to be said or written or even explained in a sports context, but sadly, it does in 2025.
That’s why it’s so great to see the Blues reminding everyone that you can chase success in the present without being reckless with your future. They’ve also proven you don’t have to take the present for granted in order to give yourself the best chance in years to come.
It has become cliche for sports executives to tout building a winning organization for now and for the long haul. That all sounds great, but that starts with winning now. Constantly selling the future as a distraction from the present is a neat trick, but it’s still an illusion.
The Blues and general manager Doug Armstrong aggressively pursued victory when they could have sold the future. They didn’t punt on this season, waste another year of the careers of their current players and then spin it as strategically positioning themselves for next season, the following season or the season after that.
Back at the trading deadline with the playoffs looking like a pipe dream for the Blues (two points out of the final wild-card spot and in 10th place in the Western Conference), one of the team’s top players in defenseman Colton Parayko lost to injury and having taken until then end of February to string together three consecutive wins, Armstrong didn’t go into sell mode.
Armstrong readily acknowledged the math of standings, and he even described their playoff hopes as “an uphill battle.†He also didn’t give up on this season.
“The guys are giving us hope and belief,†Armstrong said of the team’s performance at the trade deadline.
Oh, my goodness. Hope? Belief? How did someone not run this man out of town, muttering such unquantifiable concepts. Rubbish!
Well, except for one little detail. The Blues have the best record in the NHL since the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
They’ll head into Tuesday night having won nine straight games, and they’ve gone 11-1-1 in their past 13 games. They entered this week in the final playoff spot and with a realistic chance to move up in the standings with the way they’ve been playing.
That continued success isn’t just something worth rooting for because it’s the Blues. It’s worth rooting for because they dared to think they could still compete this season — and that should be the approach.
If the Blues continue their run and wake up others to what a rebuild or retool can look like, then sports and sports fans will be better for it.
It’s one thing for the bean counters and mathematical models of management to infect sports front offices of all types. Heaven forbid ideas as non-analytical as “feel†or “ambition†or “gut†play any roll in how a team approaches the pursuit of success.
That ship has largely sailed. The data analysts and computational experts have taken on such a voice within front offices and ownership that it’s hard to imagine ever really putting that genie back in the bottle.
However, those of us sports consumers, followers, fans and the communities of people that take the success or failure of their teams to heart — we don’t have to buy into the pocket protector view of sports.
It doesn’t always have to look like a sure-fire championship contender on paper or else just ignore the present and look to the future.
Sure, it’s win today and tomorrow, but win today comes first.
Nobody confused the Blues with a Stanley Cup favorite going into this season. However, they’ve consistently made moves this season in effort to make the team better in the immediate future, not just long-term.
Armstrong may have ruffled feathers by breaking from the norm when he signed forward Dylan Holloway and defenseman Philip Broberg to offer sheets. He made an in-season coaching change and scooped up Jim Montgomery days after the Boston Bruins cut him loose. They acquired veteran defenseman Cam Fowler and later cut ties with Brandon Saad.
They’ve also been thoughtful about how they’ve integrated young players like Zack Bolduc and Dalibor Dvorsky into the mix. They didn’t prioritize their development above winning now, which can often be the case in a rebuild.
Now, highly-touted prospect Jimmy Snuggerud will add into the equation. And he’s joining a winning team, a playoff chase and a team that has a present as well as a future.
What’s more, he doesn’t have to do anything more than play a supporting role.
“He can come in and just be a piece for us, a guy that has a lot of skill and a lot of talent that can fit in well for us,†Blues captain Brayden Schenn said on Monday. “Even in the run, Matt Kessel stepped in for a game. Dvorsky stepped in for a game.â€
A Blues run into the postseason will be great for St. Louis and for Blues fans, but it can also be a reminder that part of what makes sports great is the unpredictability and the fact that hope and belief sometimes get rewarded.
Post-Dispatch Blues beat reporter Matthew DeFranks joined columnist Jeff Gordon to discuss Dalibor Dvorsky’s NHL debut and Zack Bolduc’s continuing development.
Jimmy Snuggerud’s first NHL practice is in the books. His first NHL game? That could come as soon as Tuesday night vs. Detroit.
Snuggerud could make his NHL debut on Tuesday after signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Blues on Friday, becoming the latest high-profile Blues prospect to appear in an NHL game. Snuggerud, originally drafted by the Blues in the first round in 2022, practiced on Monday morning on a line with Zack Bolduc and Oskar Sundqvist.
Blues coach Jim Montgomery said he would “talk it over with the staff†whether Snuggerud plays against the Red Wings, but indications are that he would be in the lineup. Mathieu Joseph skated as an extra forward on Monday, and Snuggerud was included on the second power-play unit.
“You dream of it as a kid,†Snuggerud said. “You obviously still don’t know yet (if I’m playing Tuesday). I’m playing for everyone else in here. I’m here to win hockey games and hope that’s what I can (impart) on other guys. They’re the hottest team in the NHL, and I’m so lucky and grateful to be a part of it.â€
The Blues will enter Tuesday riding a nine-game win streak after defeating Colorado 2-1 on Saturday afternoon in Denver. It’s their longest win streak in three seasons and is two wins away from tying the franchise record set in 2019.
Snuggerud, 20, is only days removed from his collegiate career ending. On Thursday, his Minnesota team lost in overtime to Massachusetts in the NCAA Tournament. On Friday, he signed with the Blues. On Monday, he practiced with them for the first time. And then there’s Tuesday’s game.
Snuggerud called the transition “0 to 100, a lot of emotions.â€
“It’s kind of hard to flip the page quickly, but you kind of have to, honestly,†Snuggerud said. “You jump from one team to another team who’s the hottest team in the National Hockey League. You’ve got to switch your mindset quick. I think I’ve learned from a lot of people in my life that have taught me to do that. It’s been an easy adjustment.â€
Snuggerud was one of the best scorers in college hockey this season, as his 24 goals and 51 points were each tied for sixth-most in country. He finished his college career with 66 goals and 69 assists in 119 games played. His 66 goals were the most by a Golden Gopher in the past decade.
Snuggerud chose to return to school after his sophomore season last year. So why did it make sense now after his junior year?
“I feel like my game has developed over the past year a lot,†Snuggerud said. “Obviously, the speed is different, and guys in here want to win. I think I have that winning mentality. I just want to win games, and I want to be here for them and be by their side when they win hockey games. That was the most important thing for me is making that jump knowing the mentality is it’s hockey, hockey, hockey. There’s no school anymore. It’s just hockey, and you’re here to win hockey games and that’s it.â€
Snugguerd said he wanted to work on his speed, puck possession, poise and leadership by going back to school and “worked on those things well enough to a point where I could jump on this team.â€
He practiced on the second power-play unit on Monday as the bumper with Brayden Schenn at the net-front, Jordan Kyrou in the left circle, Dylan Holloway in the right circle and Justin Faulk at the point. Snuggerud developed a potent one-timer in college from the left circle but will have to find a way to be dangerous in a different position in the NHL.
“Beggars can’t be choosers with the way our power play has been,†Montgomery said. “That being said, he did a really good job there, supported pucks well. You can tell his brain, he understands time and space. He’s a scorer and shooter, and those guys know how to get open. They’ve been getting open their whole lives. You could see his puck support and his release were ideal for the bumper position.â€
If Snuggerud debuts Tuesday, he will follow Dalibor Dvorsky (March 23 vs. Nashville) as recent first-round picks to debut in the NHL.
Snuggerud said he rode to practice with Blues captain Brayden Schenn. After the skate, he led the stretches at center ice. Snuggerud will wear No. 21 with the Blues, last worn by Tyler Bozak. Snuggerud wore No. 81 in college and at his most recent World Juniors (taken by Holloway) and No. 18 at a previous WJC (taken by Robert Thomas).
He did wear No. 21 for the U.S. at a World Junior Summer Showcase, but that wasn’t on his mind.
“Just looked at the list and happened to choose 21,†Snuggerud said. “I’m playing for what’s on the front.â€
Ten Hochman: Brick Wall Binnington! Blues goalie stellar in 9-game win streak
Hochman: How Robert Thomas' spree helped rejuvenate the Blues. ‘He’s been unreal.’
The Blues' Jordan Kyrou, left, is congratulated by Robert Thomas for scoring a goal that Thomas assisted on in a game against the Predators on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Enterprise Center.
Post-Dispatch Blues beat reporter Matthew DeFranks joined columnist Jeff Gordon to discuss Dalibor Dvorsky’s NHL debut and Zack Bolduc’s continuing development.
Inside the home of hockey’s greatest passer — and come to think of it, also basketball’s greatest passer — Robert Thomas put on a performance worthy of the venue.
On Saturday at Denver’s Ball Arena, Thomas patiently waited near the left dot, eyeing the slot. The Blues center had two penalty killers pestering him, and just as Cale Makar aggressively attacked, Thomas pierced the slot with a pinpoint pass to Zack Bolduc for a goal.
In the 2-1 win, Thomas tallied two assists — his fourth straight game with two or more, tying a Blues record last set in 2002.
Folks, if hockey had an award for best in-season turnaround, Thomas would win the hardware.
Of course, he’s always been a high-level passer. But by the start of this February, he was just a good player having a down year for a bad team. Statistically on Feb. 1, Thomas was tied for 50th in points per game (0.90). Heck, I wrote a column about his questionable body language and the impact of his Jan. 18 benching.
But since the start of February, he’s fifth in the NHL in points per game (1.39).
And so, he entered Sunday tied for 22nd in points per game (1.08). Heck of a jump.
And the St. Louis Blues, now in playoff position, are the hottest team in hockey.
“He’s been instrumental; he’s been unreal,†coach Jim Montgomery told reporters after the win at Colorado, which put St. Louis on a nine-game winning streak, the Blues’ longest since, yup, 2019. “You know, he’s playing like he’s one of the best players in the league, and it’s a big reason why we’re such a good team right now.â€
The new coach Montgomery has been getting the most out of his team — and creating quite a selfless team in the process. So many players have exploded offensively in recent weeks — and many have benefited from the precision passing from No. 18 in blue and white.
“That’s what special players do — and that’s why he’s special,†Montgomery said.
Thomas’ rejuvenation makes imaginations spin.
If he’s clicking like this — and so many other guys are playing at elite levels — why can’t the Blues win a playoff series, especially considering goalie Jordan Binnington has been sublime since the 4 Nations Face-Off in mid-February?
I will say, for all the Thomas hoopla — including the previous paragraphs in this column — he’s achieving, essentially, what we thought he would achieve in the first place (it just took him a few months). So his season isn’t as incredible as, say, that of Dylan Holloway, who was a young wild card who became a key reason the Blues are in the wild card. But Thomas playing to his potential is still, obviously, imperative for this hockey team.
And he’s such a fun guy to watch. He distributes passes like a point guard — placing pucks perfectly in spots that, sometimes, only he sees.
Since the start of February, Thomas has seven goals and a league-high 25 assists for 32 points (second-most in the NHL, behind Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov). And since the Feb. 22 return from 4 Nations, only Roope Hintz of Dallas has more assists (23) than Thomas’ 21.
Oh, and Thomas is plus-14 since the break. Only three players in the entire league are better (one of them also wears the Bluenote — Philip Broberg and his plus-15 from the Blues’ blue line).
In this eventful season, Thomas has totaled 68 points in 63 games played, thanks to his 19 goals and 49 assists. His career high in helpers is 60, set last season, though he played all 82 games; he missed a dozen because of injury this season.
And check out this stat provided by the Blues: Thomas is just the sixth player in franchise history with at least four seasons with 40 or more assists.
The other five?
Quite a quintet: Bernie Federko, Pavol Demitra, Brett Hull, Pierre Turgeon and Al MacInnis.
This final run should be fun. The Blues entered Sunday with an 85.3% chance of making the postseason, per Money Puck. The scorching scorers return home for a Tuesday game against Detroit, the first of three this week at Enterprise Center — Penguins on Thursday and the Avalanche on Saturday. Wins in all three would give the Blues their longest winning streak ever — and imagine how sweet it would be to get it against Colorado?
The final four games? Three on the road at Winnipeg (a possible first-round playoff destination), Edmonton and Seattle. And then the regular-season finale at home against Utah on Feb. 15 — St. Louis native Clayton Keller of Utah is tied with Thomas with 1.08 points per game this season.
It is just wild to think about where the Blues were in January compared to now.
Then again, Robert Thomas wasn’t playing like Robert Thomas.
Owner Tom Stillman on Blues' big run: 'It's the state you want to reach as a team'
Blues Chairman Tom Stillman congratulates goaltender Jordan Binnington on setting the franchise record for wins before the Blues took on the Flyers on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Enterprise Center. Stillman's Blues have won nine straight games, led in part by Binnington.
Post-Dispatch Blues beat reporter Matthew DeFranks joined columnist Jeff Gordon to discuss Dalibor Dvorsky’s NHL debut and Zack Bolduc’s continuing development.
Like so many members of the Blues organization, owner and Chairman Tom Stillman was hopeful, optimistic about a month ago regarding the remainder of his team’s season.
The Blues showed signs of improvement under coach Jim Montgomery, but at the 4 Nations Face-Off break, they still owned a point percentage below .500, were eight points back of the playoffs and had yet to win three straight games. Since then, though, they have gone 15-2-2, a record that includes a current nine-game win streak that has pushed the Blues into a tie with Minnesota for the first wild-card playoff spot in the Western Conference.
In an interview Saturday morning, Stillman said, “I knew we would get better this year and then keep growing next year†but didn’t know when it was “going to pop.â€
“I was a little surprised it happened then but not shocked because we have players who are really talented and are strong character guys,†Stillman said. “It’s a matter of: When does a team pull together? When does it decide: OK, this is how we’re going to play; we’re going to play for each other.
“It’s not that easy a state to reach in professional sports. It’s not high school or college where the rah-rahness would eventually get you there. These are professional athletes with all sorts of things at stake. It’s not always easy to pull together as a group like that. We saw it back in 2019, and I’m not saying this is the 2019 team but it’s a similar pulling together. It’s the state you want to reach as a team.â€
During their nine-game win streak, the Blues have outscored opponents 39-13. By averaging 4.33 goals per game in that span, the Blues are second in the league. In allowing 1.44 goals per game, the Blues lead the league in that category.
The plus-26 goal margin is the biggest in the NHL across a nine-game span this season.
With two more wins, this iteration of the Blues will match the franchise record of 11 straight wins accomplished in the 2018-19 season that ended with hoisting the Stanley Cup.
“When a team reaches that state, I can recall that in 2019,†Stillman said. “I can’t say we’re going to win (Saturday in Colorado, which they did 2-1), but you can say they’re going to play well, they’re going to play hard. Sometimes, that doesn’t work out. But when you know that, that’s what we saw in 2019. You knew once they got going every time, they would play well and play hard. It’s a great thing. It’s a great feeling for everybody: the fans, the players, the coach, manager, ownership. That’s the stage we want to reach.â€
The Blues have transformed from playoff afterthoughts into near playoff locks.
They left the weekend with 87 points with seven games remaining, six points clear of Vancouver (81 points with eight games left) and seven up on Calgary (80 points with 10 games left). Entering Sunday’s play, analytics website MoneyPuck gave the Blues an 85.3% chance of making the playoffs, and HockeyViz put them at 75.8%.
“That just feeds on itself, right?†Stillman said. “This is fun. It’s fun to win, and also when you’re playing on the ice and you’ve got a team on the run, sometimes in the past, (it felt like): ‘We’re probably good here, let’s save ourselves a bit,’ which is not what I remember. You got someone on the run ‘This is fun, let’s just keep pushing this and pushing this.’ That’s what’s happening now, and it just feeds on itself. Positive reinforcement, and then you get the momentum, whether it’s game to game or shift to shift, one line to the next.â€
The Blues might even get better in the final two-plus weeks of the regular season. Colton Parayko has been skating with the team and could return before the regular season ends. Pavel Buchnevich returned Saturday in Colorado and scored the game-winning goal in the third period. The club’s top two prospects — Dalibor Dvorsky and Jimmy Snuggerud — are in the NHL now.
In going on an extended run, the Blues have put themselves in position to play meaningful games.
“I think it says a lot about the leadership of the team,†Stillman said. “Monty and the coaching staff, and then (captain) Brayden Schenn and the leaders among the players, how they grabbed ahold of things. Over time, the habits, the intensity and how important it was to play for each other, getting on the forecheck. All those things, I think it speaks to really strong effective leadership and a commitment by everybody from the captain to the newest rookie, committing themselves to that kind of game.â€
Blues run win streak to nine games with 'hard-fought, character finish' in win over Avalanche
Blues forward Alexey Toropchenko, center, congratulates goaltender Jordan Binnington as forward Pavel Buchnevich skates by after their team beat Colorado 2-1 on Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver.
David Zalubowski, Associated Press
DENVER — As the two points still were being added to the Blues’ total, as the shadow of a win streak stretched to nine games and as the Avalanche’s 11-game home win streak was drawing its last breath, the six Blues on the ice were trying to locate theirs while basking in the glow of a 2-1 win in Colorado.
Jake Neighbours laid face down on the ice in exhaustion. Philip Broberg was done battling at the net-front. Pavel Buchnevich was “glad that long shift happened not in the first period, (but) in the third at the end, still kind of catching my breath.†Brayden Schenn fought through equipment issues. Justin Faulk’s 145-second shift was the longest of them all. And Jordan Binnington held the puck in his glove.
That was the price of victory.
“It’s just a free-for-all out there, guys laying out everywhere, extended shifts,†Binnington said. “It’s just chaos and trust your hockey sense and make reads with whatever energy you’ve got. We found a way to get it done against a talented group there. Just a hard-fought, character finish.â€
In the final two minutes of the third period, as the Avalanche tried desperately to tie the game and send it to overtime, Colorado had eight shot attempts. Three were saved by Binnington. One was blocked by Schenn, another by Faulk. Three missed the net.
It was emblematic of just how the Blues reached nine straight wins, the team’s longest win streak in three years and two away from tying the franchise record set in 2019. Overall, the Avalanche had almost as many of their shots blocked (28) as they had on goal (29), and six Blues finished with multiple shot blocks.
“There’s something going on special right now, and it’s great to be a part of it,†Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “I’m very grateful to be here.â€
Buchnevich scored the game-winning goal with about 11 minutes left in the third period, cleaning up a rebound at the net-front to support Binnington’s 28 saves and Zack Bolduc’s first-period goal. Robert Thomas had two assists, his fourth straight multi-assist game.
Nathan MacKinnon scored Colorado’s goal.
The win moved the Blues into a tie with Minnesota for the first wild-card playoff spot in the Western Conference, as each team has 87 points. The Wild, though, own the tiebreaker having played one fewer game than the Blues. Minnesota next plays on Monday, at New Jersey. The Blues’ next game is on Tuesday, at home against Detroit.
The victory Saturday pushed the Blues six points ahead of Vancouver, though the Canucks had two games in hand. One of those was Sunday, when they lost to Winnipeg Jets 3-1.
This season, only the Jets (11) have a longer win streak than the Blues’ current nine-game one.
“I think it’s a lot of little moments that lead to big moments,†Binnington said. “We’re finding a way to get it done. It’s everyone, top to bottom, everyone’s having a contribution. You’ve just got to keep focusing one game at a time, focusing on these little moments and see what happens at the end.â€
Bolduc’s and MacKinnon’s goals highlighted an up-and-down first period with plenty of chances for both teams. But they combined for seven shots at five on five in the second period as the game tightened up. Then the Blues continued to do what has helped them charge from playoffs afterthought to the first wild-card position: submit a strong third period.
The Blues outshot the Avalanche 13-11 in the final period and 7-4 at five on five. They drew three penalties and held on for their second straight one-goal win after a 3-2 victory in Nashville on Thursday night.
“Our third periods have been excellent here for maybe this entire run,†Montgomery said. “Our game management has been excellent. We’ve gone into the last two third periods expecting to win. That’s what’s happening because they believe. When you believe, you can achieve.â€
Buchnevich scored on the doorstep, pouncing on a rebound of Ryan Suter’s shot to muscle it just past Mackenzie Blackwood. Earlier on the shift, Buchnevich won a loose puck after Bolduc’s shot, allowing the Blues to retain possession.
“I just tried to get in front of the net,†Buchnevich said. “Puck hit me, I got a rebound goal.â€
Thomas’ two-assist game tied the franchise record for consecutive multi-assist games, last done by Doug Weight in 2002. Craig Janney, Adam Oates, Blake Dunlop and Garry Unger are the only other Blues to do so.
Thomas had the primary assist on Bolduc’s first-period goal, saucing a pass into the slot for Bolduc to one-time. Thomas also had options with Oskar Sundqvist at the near post and Buchnevich positioned at the far one.
“Buchy sets it up nice,†Thomas said. “I’m just reading that guy on the far side. If he goes low to Buchy, it’s to Boldy and vice versa. It’s a great shot by him, it was a hard pass, he had to get it while it was landing and put it in a great spot.â€
It’s been well-documented what the Blues have shrugged off in the last month.
Their best defenseman has missed the last dozen games. A key forward missed four games. They had to fight through tired legs against outpunching bottom-feeders. They had to fly on the same day as the game. They had to orchestrate two third-period comebacks. And then they had to come into altitude and beat the hottest home team in the league in its own barn.
“Everyone’s been stepping up huge,†Thomas said. “Any given night, someone’s stepping up and making a big difference, not always offensively, or whether it’s checking or defensively. When you have everyone going on the same page and pulling the rope together, we’re a dangerous team.â€
As the Blues have thrown themselves farther up in the Western Conference standings, they’ve likely become the team that no one wants to face in the first round of the playoffs. And the Blues are thankful for the type of game Saturday provided.
“It’s playoff hockey,†Montgomery said. “That’s what we’re going to be seeing.â€
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, collects the puck as St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg, front left, and left wing Jake Neighbours cover in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn, right, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson defends in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues left wing Pavel Buchnevich, left, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Parker Kelly, front right, and defenseman Keaton Middleton pursue in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues center Zack Bolduc, left, is congratulated after scoring a goal in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues center Zack Bolduc is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen, left, clears the puck as St. Louis Blues center Zack Bolduc defends in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas pursues the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues left wing Pavel Buchnevich, left, fights for control of the puck with Colorado Avalanche center Jack Drury in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood pulls on his gloves before the second period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, left, collects the puck as St. Louis Blues center Dylan Holloway defends in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski, left, and St. Louis Blues right wing Alexey Toropchenko pursue the puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche center Charlie Coyle, left, is checked by St. Louis Blues center Dylan Holloway in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, puts a shot on St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn, right, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon defends in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, right, stops a shot off the stick of Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski, top, collides with St. Louis Blues center Oskar Sundqvist in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin, front, collects the puck as St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington covers the net in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues left wing Pavel Buchnevich, left; goaltender Jordan Binnington, right; and defenseman Philip Broberg react after stopping an onslaught of shots from the Colorado Avalanche as time ran out in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues right wing Alexey Toropchenko, left, congratulates goaltender Jordan Binnington after an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Hochman: ‘Strength of the pack, not the wolf.’ How coach Jim Montgomery made Blues a true team
It was a $2,248.26 investment in team hockey.
Last Sunday, a Nashville Predator named Nick Blankenburg ran into the Blues’ best player, Robert Thomas. It looked vicious. And — was it knee-to-knee? So the Blues’ Zack Bolduc — a rookie skill player — promptly did something a veteran big body would do: Hit the hell out of Blankenberg.
Bolduc jumped on top of him and crosschecked him, twice, in the back. The rookie got a game misconduct and, later, a fine of $2,248.26, the maximum a player can receive under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Bolduc’s actions are all you need to know about a Jim Montgomery hockey team.
The “Monty†Blues step up for each other, play for each other, fight for each other and … win with each other.
Is it possible that coach Montgomery is even better than we anticipated?
Blues head coach Jim Montgomery wraps up a time out in the third period against the Canucks on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Enterprise Center.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
His pedigree and connection to St. Louis was encouraging. But what the Blues have done under “Monty†has been extraordinary. They entered Saturday’s game as winners of eight in a row. Since Montgomery replaced the fired Drew Bannister, his Blues have gone 30-16-6 for the seventh-most points in the National Hockey League.
And, of course, the Blues are currently in a playoff spot.
It is fair to point out that the Blues struggled for some stretches there with Montgomery as coach. There were simultaneous growing pains and a learning curve. But now, at the absolute right time, the team has become a team.
“He’s been able to unite the group … and you can sense the commitment from everyone to the bigger picture,†Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said by phone. “I think that starts with his leadership and his demands on a team game — and the sacrifices that he makes enjoyable for each other, I think, resonate to our group. And not only when we’re on this winning streak, but you could sense that the players were committed to playing for each other.â€
Wait, what does “enjoyable sacrifices†mean?
“You look at our power play units, they are very evenly dispersed, where some teams stack up the one unit,†Armstrong said. “We believe that the strength of our organization, quite honestly, is the strength of the pack, not the wolf. And he has two balanced units. And I see joy when each unit sees the other unit scores. Just small things like that.â€
In February, the rested Blues took off after the 4 Nations Face-Off break (St. Louis has a 14-2-2 record entering Saturday). And whether they play beautiful hockey (such as recently in the 6-1 win against Montreal) or find-a-way hockey (such as the couple games before that one), the boys just kept winning. Entering Saturday, St. Louis had the best goal differential in the NHL since the break (plus-33). The Blues scored 72 goals (most in NHL) and allowed 39 (fourth-fewest).
But when you watch the Blues lately, what stands out isn’t just the scoring but the fierce, fearless attempts to prevent scoring (and that’s not just the play of acrobatic goalies Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer). Dudes are blocking a bunch of shots. There are few things more “team-first†— in any team sport — than hockey players sacrificing their bodies to block shots.
For the year, the Blues are 22nd in the NHL in blocked shots per game.
But since the break, the bruised Blues have the 10th-most blocked shots per game.
Heck, even Jordan Kyrou has blocked a few shots lately.
“We have a high level of commitment on blocking shots,†Armstrong said. “And then just you look at the bench on a blocked shot, the admiration the players have for the guy doing it, it’s just there’s small things that go on that build those layers to a winning group. And then Jim’s found a way to incorporate that into the players, knowing that whatever sacrifice they make, it’s better (for everyone). You know, we don’t have a superstar like a (Connor) McDavid, so the strength of our team is always going to be the team.â€
Armstrong pointed out that Montgomery’s “outgoing, gregarious†personality has permeated in a positive way around the Blues. And people gravitate to it. “Monty,†also, can be very, very honest, but the criticism, Armstrong said, is constructive.
Bolduc, for instance, has flourished under Montgomery — he has the second-most goals of any NHL rookie since the late-November hire. Hofer has earned the coach’s trust to be a reliable fill-in. Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg look like stars in the making.
And captain Brayden Schenn, himself an inspiration to teammates, has become inspired by “Monty.†And unlike last year, it’s not just Schenn dropping gloves or making physical sacrifices for the team.
Asked Montgomery’s biggest impact, Schenn recently said: “I think getting everyone to believe in themselves or one another, or as a group together, whether we’re playing hard for each other every night. He’s a guy that’s a great communicator, talks to his players all the time. He’s around the locker room, he brings humor some days. He lets guys know where they stand, and I think guys really respect that. …
“He definitely has a positive attitude, no doubt about it. Obviously, we’re not the only team where he’s had success. He makes guys feel important in their locker room, and when your coaches make you feel like that, whether individually or as a team, guys play hard for one another and play hard for the organization.â€
'It's very impressive what we're doing right now,' Blues coach Jim Montgomery says
Pavel Buchnevich's third-period goal lifts Blues past Avalanche 2-1, to ninth straight win
DENVER — Someone's streak was going to end on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues carried an eight-game win streak. The Avalanche won their previous 11 home games.
In a 2-1 Blues win over Avalanche, it was Colorado that was left to begin anew. Pavel Buchnevich scored the game-winning goal for St. Louis with 11:06 remaining in the third period.
Buchnevich pounced on a rebound at the net-front, squeezing it through Mackenzie Blackwood to give the Blues their first lead of the game. Buchnevich also retrieved the puck following Zack Bolduc's shot to keep possession for the Blues.
The nine-game win streak is the longest for the Blues since a nine-gamer in April 2022. It is two wins away from tying the franchise record 11-game win streak from January and February of 2019. The only team this season with a longer win streak than the Blues is Winnipeg (11).
Bolduc scored a power-play goal for the Blues, while Nathan MacKinnon's first period goal got the Avalanche on the board in the first period. Jordan Binnington made 28 saves for St. Louis.
With the win, the Blues momentarily pulled even with Minnesota for the first wild card in Western Conference, pending the Wild's result against New Jersey on Saturday afternoon. After Saturday, the Wild will still have one game in hand on the Blues.
Calgary — which the Blues entered Saturday leading by six points for the second wild card spot — is in Edmonton for a game Saturday night.
The Blues will now enjoy a multi-day break between games for the first time in more than two weeks, having just finished a stretch of 10 games in 17 days. St. Louis opens a three-game homestand on Tuesday night against Detroit.
Up and down
Bolduc's power-play goal at 10:57 of the first period gave the Blues a 1-0 lead, marking just the fourth time in the last 12 home games that Colorado has allowed the first goal of the game. Bolduc capitalized on the power play by camping out in the slot and whacking a one-timer on a saucer pass from Robert Thomas.
Thomas settled the puck along the halfwall and patiently surveyed his options. He had Oskar Sundqvist at the side of the net and Pavel Buchnevich sneaking to the back post. But once Cale Makar pressured Thomas, he flipped a pass to Bolduc between at the hashmarks.
It was Bolduc's 16th goal of the season, which is third-most among NHL rookies and behind only Matvei Michkov (24) and Macklin Celebrini (21).
Colorado tied the game just 72 seconds later on MacKinnon's goal at the side of the net after a blocked shot in the slot. Justin Faulk gloved the puck initially and tried to put it on the ice but Devon Toews slapped the loose puck to MacKinnon, who roofed it past Binnington.
MacKinnon's goal came shortly after Mackenzie Blackwood made a huge save on Brayden Schenn, who was on the doorstep by himself.
The shots were even at 11 in the first period, and each team had prime chances in the opening minutes of the game. Pavel Buchnevich, back in the lineup after missing four games, had a chance in the slot just a minute into the game, set up by Thomas behind the net.
MacKinnon had a breakaway after Philip Broberg was stripped of the puck in the neutral zone. MacKinnon hit the post and Binnington covered the puck to stop play.
Tightening up
The second period quieted any momentum towards a track meet on Saturday afternoon, as the two teams combined for 10 shots on goal and struggled to find open ice to create offense.
At 5 on 5, shots were 4-3 in favor of Colorado, which put three shots on goal during a power play after Schenn was whistled for tripping in the offensive zone. Parker Kelly's deflection that hit the post was Colorado's closest chance at scoring in the period.
Through two periods, the Blues successfully limited Colorado's offensive firepower by doing what they've become accustomed to: blocking shots. In the opening 40 minutes, the Avalanche had 51 shot attempts and 21 of them were blocked.
During the previous eight games — all wins — entering Saturday's game, the Blues averaged 17.75 blocks per game.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, collects the puck as St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg, front left, and left wing Jake Neighbours cover in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn, right, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson defends in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues left wing Pavel Buchnevich, left, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Parker Kelly, front right, and defenseman Keaton Middleton pursue in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues center Zack Bolduc, left, is congratulated after scoring a goal in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues center Zack Bolduc is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen, left, clears the puck as St. Louis Blues center Zack Bolduc defends in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas pursues the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues left wing Pavel Buchnevich, left, fights for control of the puck with Colorado Avalanche center Jack Drury in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood pulls on his gloves before the second period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, left, collects the puck as St. Louis Blues center Dylan Holloway defends in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski, left, and St. Louis Blues right wing Alexey Toropchenko pursue the puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche center Charlie Coyle, left, is checked by St. Louis Blues center Dylan Holloway in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, right, puts a shot on St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn, right, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon defends in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, right, stops a shot off the stick of Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski, top, collides with St. Louis Blues center Oskar Sundqvist in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin, front, collects the puck as St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington covers the net in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues left wing Pavel Buchnevich, left; goaltender Jordan Binnington, right; and defenseman Philip Broberg react after stopping an onslaught of shots from the Colorado Avalanche as time ran out in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
St. Louis Blues right wing Alexey Toropchenko, left, congratulates goaltender Jordan Binnington after an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
Jordan Binnington: Blues must continue to focus on little moments to keep winning
Blues sign prospect Jimmy Snuggerud to entry-level contract
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Blues signed forward Jimmy Snuggerud to a three-year entry-level contract on Friday afternoon, one day after his college season ended with the University of Minnesota.
Snuggerud is expected to join the Blues in St. Louis after their trip finishes with Saturday's game in Colorado.
The Blues picked him in the first round of the 2022 draft, and he just completed his junior season at Minnesota. He scored twice in his final collegiate game, including the game-tying goal late in the third period in an eventual 5-4 overtime loss to Massachusetts.
Minnesota's Jimmy Snuggerud, left, celebrates with teammates Mike Koster, center, and Sam Rinzel after scoring against Massachusetts in the first period of an NCAA Tournament game on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Fargo, N.D. Â
Craig Lassig, Associated Press
After practice on Friday in Nashville, Blues coach Jim Montgomery was asked about how he would handle Snuggerud's potential arrival, and he likened it to Dalibor Dvorsky's usage in St. Louis following his arrival.
Dvorsky made his NHL debut on Sunday, but was a healthy scratch on Tuesday vs. Montreal and Thursday in Nashville. The Blues enter Saturday's game on an eight-game win streak, and will be welcoming Pavel Buchnevich back to the lineup.
“If/when Snuggerud signs, it’ll be the same thing as Dvorsky,†Montgomery said before the signing was announced. “We brought him up to get acclimated to how we play, what’s it like to practice, to play a game, to get ready for a game, just to be a pro, to be a Blue and get him acclimated as soon as we could.â€
Snuggerud flirted with turning pro after his sophomore season last spring, but ultimately decided to return to school in order to chase a national championship with the Golden Gophers. This season, he was one of the best players in college hockey and was named one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award given to the country's best college player.
Snuggerud's 24 goals were tied for sixth-most in the NCAA and his 51 points were tied for the fifth-most.
Snuggerud, a right-handed winger who likes to unleash a one-timer from the left circle, finished his college career with 66 goals and 69 assists in 119 games played.
With Snuggerud's arrival, the youth movement in St. Louis appears alive and well. With Dvorsky (2023), Snuggerud (2022), Zack Bolduc (2021) and Jake Neighbours (2020) on the roster, the Blues have first-round picks of their own from four consecutive drafts in the NHL.
With Buchnevich available, Zack Bolduc returned to the third line with Oskar Sundqvist and Mathieu Joseph, while Alexandre Texier was an extra forward again after he was in the lineup for four games.
In capturing their eighth straight win – a 3-2 win over Nashville on Thursday night – the Blues orchestrated a comeback from down two goals to sweep the Predators.
Parayko has missed the past 10 games since the Blues announced March 6 that he would undergo a scope on his knee, and be reevaluated in six weeks.
Pavel Buchnevich set to return to Blues' lineup, critical of NHL's handling of hit in Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Riding an eight-game win streak, the Blues will get one of their top players back in the lineup for Saturday’s game in Colorado as Pavel Buchnevich returns to the fold.
He missed the last four games with what the Blues announced as an illness. Buchnevich flew on his own from St. Louis to Nashville on Thursday to join the team, and then was on the ice for practice on Friday afternoon in his customary spot on the top line with Robert Thomas and Jake Neighbours.
“Anytime you can add any of your top players, guys that are so smart and make plays defensively and offensively for 200 feet like him, it just makes your team better,†Blues coach Jim Montgomery said.
With Buchnevich available, Zack Bolduc returned to the third line with Oskar Sundqvist and Mathieu Joseph, while Alexandre Texier was an extra forward again after he was in the lineup for four games.
The Blues’ Pavel Buchnevich moves the puck in a game against Edmonton on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, at Enterprise Center.
Zachary Linhares, Post-Dispatch
Buchnevich’s time on the ice has been limited since absorbing a hit by Nashville’s Michael McCarron on March 18. Buchnevich missed the final 13:48 of the second period in that game before returning for the third period, and also playing March 20 against Vancouver.
Buchnevich’s practice on Friday was his first with the team since March 21.
McCarron was issued a major penalty and a game misconduct for interference on the play in which Buchnevich was injured, but did not face any supplemental discipline from the Department of Player Safety, receiving neither a fine nor a suspension.
Friday was the first time Buchnevich spoke to reporters since the hit.
“I don’t have a (expletive) puck,†Buchnevich said. “This is my (expletive) problem. I don’t have a puck, he hits me with a shoulder to the head, he got five minutes and no hearing, which (expletive ticked) me off. ‘Oh, we want to (expletive) defend players,’ (McCarron) coming in and (expletive) hit me behind the net. I clearly doesn’t even touch the puck. You see the guy poke it somewhere behind the net and he (expletive) hit me. I don’t know. No hearing, no anything.â€
After the hit, Neighbours fought McCarron. Buchnevich theorized that his return at the start of the third period could have led to the decision not to discipline McCarron. Article 18 of the collective bargaining agreement lists “injury to the opposing player(s) involved in the incident†as a factor in determining whether a play warrants supplemental discipline.
McCarron was suspended for two games in April 2021 for an illegal check to the head, and was fined twice: in March 2024 for unsportsmanlike conduct and in April 2024 for goaltender interference.
“If puck in my skates, I don’t mind if he hit me,†Buchnevich said. “But I don’t have a puck. So he can (expletive) skate no puck (expletive) crush guys like it used to be. It’s just my thing, but whatever.â€
Buchnevich said he’s “probably†taken similar hits in his career, but “I try and forget those hits. I got no problem if I got the puck and he hit me. I got no problem. I don’t have a puck, this is the thing.â€
Buchnevich has been suspended twice in his career. He was given one game for high-sticking Anthony Mantha as a member of the Rangers in May 2021, and suspended for two games for head-butting Lawson Crouse in Oct. 2021. Buchnevich’s two-game suspension cost him $141,463 in salary.
The Blues were 4-0-0 in Buchnevich’s absence, which overlapped with the Blues missing Colton Parayko. St. Louis has gone 9-1-1 since losing Parayko to a knee injury, though Parayko took some contact during drills in Friday’s practice in Nashville.
Montgomery said Parayko has completed about two steps of his recovery, with an additional three still to go. He credited the team’s overall attitude for overcoming the injuries to Buchnevich and Parayko.
“I think it’s just been the mindset that the pack is stronger than any individual, and everybody is committed to playing the right way, and everybody relishes their role. Without the puck, we all look the same,†Montgomery said. “Defensively, which I think has been our greatest strength, we can overcome any losses.â€
When Buchnevich was out, Bolduc was elevated to the top line at even strength while Nathan Walker assumed Buchnevich’s minutes on the penalty-killing unit. That also shifted Neighbours into more of a role on the kill.
“To me, we have a lot of forwards that can penalty kill, probably eight deep,†Montgomery said. “When we get an injury like ‘Buchy,’ (Walker) all of a sudden gets a lot more penalty killing time. So does ‘Jakey.’ Obviously, with ‘Buchy’ coming back, people’s minutes will slide back the way they were prior to (the injury).â€
