St. Louis Blues are banking on a revitalized defense to maintain their momentum after a shaky start to their homestand. After a pair of lopsided losses at home, the Blues bounced back with a 3-1 victory over the Dallas Stars, showcasing a renewed commitment to team defense. This defensive resurgence comes as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Kings, who are themselves searching for consistency early in the season.
Coach Jim Montgomery has been actively tinkering with the team's lineup, seeking the right combinations to spark a more cohesive defensive effort. A notable change in the Blues' recent game was the introduction of Matthew Kessel in place of rookie Logan Mailloux on the defensive end. This adjustment, along with some changes in the forward lines, seemed to pay dividends, resulting in a tighter, more structured performance.
"It was for 60 minutes," Montgomery said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining that level of focus and effort throughout the entire game. He lauded the team's collective effort and acknowledged the stellar performance of goaltender Jordan Binnington, who faced only 19 shots in the game against the Stars. "That was a really good team effort, and they feel really good about themselves. When you work and you play as five, our goaltender had to make some great saves, but they weren't 15, they were less than five," Montgomery added.
The Blues' defensive pairings are not the only area that Montgomery has adjusted. He has also balanced his forward lines, creating a third line consisting of Jordan Kyrou and Mathieu Joseph flanking Brayden Schenn. According to defenseman Cam Fowler, these new combinations have fostered a greater sense of connectivity throughout the team. "I thought we were all connected," Fowler stated. "Nineteen or 20 shots on goal against a team like that with a lot of firepower, that means we're checking from the inside out and keeping those guys in bad ice and the outside of the rink. That takes everybody. Our forwards were reloading all night, which allowed our defensemen to have good gaps. When we were forcing dumps, we were able to execute on our breakouts and get going the other way."
The focus on defensive depth extends beyond just the defensemen. The Blues have strategically acquired forwards known for their defensive prowess, aiming to create a team-wide commitment to limiting scoring opportunities for their opponents. This approach is designed to support the top offensive players, allowing them to focus on generating scoring chances while trusting the rest of the team to handle the defensive responsibilities.
Looking ahead, a key element of the Blues' defensive strategy involves young players like Logan Mailloux and Tyler Tucker. Mailloux, in particular, is viewed as a "wildcard" with significant offensive potential from the blue line, while Tucker has established himself as a physical presence and reliable defender. The development and integration of these young defensemen will be crucial for the Blues' long-term success.
As the Blues continue their homestand, the challenge will be to maintain this renewed defensive focus and build upon their recent success. With a combination of strategic lineup adjustments, a commitment to team defense, and the emergence of young talent, the Blues are aiming to solidify their defensive game and establish themselves as a tough team to play against.
