Welcome to the first edition of The Monday Blueprint, your weekly go-to for everything St. Louis Blues. Every Monday, we'll break down the previous week, highlight top performers, analyze areas that need improvement, and look ahead to the week’s upcoming matchups. There's plenty to discuss as the Blues return to regular action following the Four Nations break. Let’s dive in.
Recapping the Week: Stars Shine and Struggles Continue
The Blues hit the ice with renewed energy after the Four Nations break, playing two key games. While the results were mixed, some players stood out — and others have more to give as the stretch run heats up.
Robert Thomas gets his 100th career goal and it's a beauty in the top corner. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/ikxpjRou50
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) February 23, 2025
Top Performers:
- Robert Thomas was the heartbeat of the Blues' offense this week. He notched two goals and four points in two games, finishing with a +3 rating. Impressively, three of his points came at even strength, highlighting his impact in 5-on-5 play. Thomas also dominated the faceoff circle, winning 67.6% of his draws while logging over 20 minutes per game. While a postseason berth is unlikely, the Blues will continue to rely upon Thomas each night.
- Pavel Buchnevich came through with a timely goal and three points over the past two games. Buchnevich's power-play tally against Winnipeg was pivotal, breaking a 13-game goalless streak and serving as the go-ahead goal late in the third period. With the pressure building, Buchnevich’s resurgence couldn’t come at a better time.
Cold Streaks:
- Jordan Kyrou had two assists in the clash with Colorado but is still looking for consistency. Before that game, Kyrou was riding a four-game pointless streak. Over his last 10 outings, he has just three goals and two assists. The Blues need their dynamic winger to rediscover his scoring touch down the stretch.
- Dylan Holloway finally snapped a six-game goalless streak. While it’s encouraging to see him get on the scoresheet, the Blues will need him to build momentum and provide more offensive support in the coming weeks. It might be unfair to continue to ask so much of the first-year Blue, but expectations are high for one of the newest fan favorites.
- Jake Neighbours has hit a tough patch with just one assist in his last 10 games. After posting 27 goals and 38 points in 77 games last season, his current pace (13 goals and 25 points in 57 games) has been underwhelming.
Looking Ahead: A Pivotal Week on Tap
The Blues face a challenging schedule this week, with four games that could significantly impact their playoff positioning. Here’s what’s coming up:
- Tuesday, February 25 vs. Seattle Kraken (7 p.m. CST, Enterprise Center): The Blues return home to face a Seattle squad that has been tough defensively. This matchup brings a reunion with former Blues players Jaden Schwartz, who ranks third on the Kraken with 18 goals and 36 points in 58 games, and Vince Dunn, a key figure on Seattle's blue line. St. Louis will need a strong forecheck and disciplined play to crack the Kraken.
- Thursday, February 27 at Washington Capitals (6 p.m. CST): A quick road trip to D.C. sees the Blues battling a Capitals team led by the red-hot Alex Ovechkin. Coming off a hat trick against the Edmonton Oilers, Ovechkin continues his quest to surpass Wayne Gretzky's all-time scoring record. Capital One Arena is always a tough venue, so containing Ovechkin early will be key.
- Saturday, March 1 vs. Los Angeles Kings (7 p.m. CST, Enterprise Center): The Kings are focused on holding their place in the Pacific Division playoff picture. Heading into the week with a 30-17-7 record, they’re powered by Adrian Kempe, who leads the team with 25 goals and 46 points in 54 games. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper has also been stellar with a 17-6-6 record, a 2.22 GAA, and a .917 save percentage. The Blues’ defensive structure will need to be sharp to contain L.A.’s transition game.
- Sunday, March 2 at Dallas Stars (5 p.m. CST): The week wraps up with a tough back-to-back in Dallas. The Stars, one of the hottest teams in the Western Conference, remain a formidable opponent. They’re led by netminder Jake Oettinger (26-12-2 record) and forward Matt Duchene, who has posted 57 points (23 goals, 34 assists) in 56 games. The Blues will need depth contributions and disciplined special teams play to steal points on the road.
Final Thoughts
The first full week back after the Four Nations break provides an immediate test for the Blues. With four games in six days — including critical matchups against Western Conference foes — this stretch could set the tone for the final push of the season.
The good news? Robert Thomas is heating up. Pavel Buchnevich seems to be finding his scoring touch again. But the Blues will need more from Kyrou, Holloway, and Neighbours if they want to stay in the playoff mix.
That’s it for this edition of The Monday Blueprint. Check back next week as we break down how this crucial week played out and which players stepped up when it mattered most. Let’s see if the Blues can rise to the occasion.