St. Louis Blues Make Surprising Healthy Scratch, Benefiting Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres return to the ice Thursday night to face a struggling St. Louis Blues team. The Blues hold a 4-8-2 record and have lost seven of their last nine games, including a heavy 6-1 defeat to the Washington Capitals.
In pursuit of a turnaround, the Blues made a notable roster decision. According to Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic, head coach Jim Montgomery confirmed that forward Jordan Kyrou will be a healthy scratch for the game.
“Many players could have been scratched after last night’s game, and ultimately I decided on this group tonight,” said Montgomery.
The decision is surprising given that Kyrou is tied for second on the team in goals and points. He has produced three consecutive 30-goal seasons and has consistently been one of the Blues’ top offensive contributors.
Kyrou has also been effective against the Sabres throughout his career, tallying nine points in ten games. For Buffalo, his absence is welcome news, as they avoid facing one of St. Louis’s most dangerous scorers.
Author’s Summary
The Blues’ benching of Jordan Kyrou signals internal struggles but offers the Sabres a key advantage in their upcoming matchup.