St. Louis Blues Make a Surprising Healthy Scratch
The Buffalo Sabres returned to the ice Thursday night to face a struggling St. Louis Blues team. The Blues currently hold a 4-8-2 record this season and have gone 1-6-2 in their last nine games, including a heavy 6-1 loss to the Washington Capitals the previous night.
Blues Seek Solutions Amid Struggles
In an effort to find answers, the Blues made the unexpected decision to sit Jordan Kyrou as a healthy scratch. Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reported the move, quoting head coach Jim Montgomery:
“Many players could have been scratched after last night’s game, and ultimately I decided on this group tonight.”
This decision is notable because Kyrou is tied for second on the team in goals and points. Coming into this season, Kyrou had posted three consecutive 30+ goal campaigns and has been a significant offensive contributor. He has also performed well against the Buffalo Sabres, registering nine points in ten career games against them.
Impact on the Buffalo Sabres
For the Sabres, this development is positive, as they will face one of the Blues' best goal scorers off the ice, easing their defensive challenge.
Author’s Summary
Benching Jordan Kyrou, a key scorer, reflects the Blues’ struggles and offers the Buffalo Sabres a much-needed advantage in their matchup.