Blues-Sabres Gameday Lineup: Kyrou Scratched
The St. Louis Blues are sending a clear message to their team by making Jordan Kyrou a healthy scratch. Coach Jim Montgomery took this step ahead of Thursday's game against the Buffalo Sabres, the second game of a back-to-back series.
Team Performance and Recent Challenges
The Blues face uncertainty about which version of the team will show up: the one that played well Monday against Edmonton or the one that struggled in a 6-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Coach Montgomery described the loss as a game that slipped away “from the drop of the puck,” saying, “We didn’t start on time, and we got worse after the first period.”
Coach’s Response to Struggles
“Unacceptable” and “don’t compete and battle” were the words used by Montgomery and captain Brayden Schenn after the Washington game.
These comments reflect issues that have been present earlier in the season, driving the coach to shake things up with lineup changes. Kyrou’s scratch is part of these adjustments. After all, the Blues had shown promise with a solid 3-2 win against the two-time defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers and a strong 3-1 victory over the Dallas Stars before a seven-game winless streak (0-5-2).
Goaltending Update
Additionally, goaltender Hofer is set to start after making a relief appearance on Wednesday, signaling another change aimed at improving the team's performance.
Author’s summary: The St. Louis Blues respond to a disappointing loss by scratching Jordan Kyrou and adjusting goaltending, as Coach Montgomery demands higher effort to overcome a recent slump.