St. Louis Blues Make Unexpected Healthy Scratch
The Buffalo Sabres returned to the ice Thursday night to face a struggling St. Louis Blues team. The Blues have started the season with a disappointing 4-8-2 record and are currently 1-6-2 in their last nine games, including a heavy 6-1 defeat against the Washington Capitals.
Blues' Coach Makes Surprising Decision
The Blues are exploring different options to improve their performance. According to Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic, Jordan Kyrou will be made a healthy scratch for the game. Head coach Jim Montgomery commented on this choice:
“Many players could have been scratched after last night’s game, and ultimately I decided on this group tonight.”
Benchings Kyrou, who is tied for second in goals and points on the team, is an unexpected move given his recent consistency. Entering this season, Kyrou had three consecutive 30-plus goal seasons and has not been seen as a problem for the Blues.
Kyrou's Impact Against Buffalo
Kyrou has been notably productive against the Sabres, recording nine points in ten career games versus Buffalo. His absence is positive news for the Sabres, as it removes one of the Blues' top scoring threats from the ice.
Summary
This surprising healthy scratch of a key player highlights the Blues' urgency to change course amid a rough start, benefiting their upcoming opponents, the Buffalo Sabres.