The Blues' Dynamic Line: A New Spark in St. Louis
In a season where the St. Louis Blues have faced more hurdles than highlights, a surprising shift in the lineup has breathed new life into the team's offensive capabilities.
Injuries have forced head coach Jim Montgomery to shuffle players around, searching for the right combination to ignite the Blues' attack. Amidst this uncertainty, moving Pavel Buchnevich back to center has proven to be a game-changer.
Initially met with skepticism, Buchnevich's return to center alongside Jordan Kyrou and Jake Neighbours has become one of the team's most consistent offensive forces. Since the trio came together on January 20th against the Winnipeg Jets, they've been on a tear, contributing significantly to the Blues' improved scoring.
In just eight games, Kyrou has tallied an impressive 12 points, Buchnevich has added nine, and Neighbours has chipped in with five. This newfound chemistry has been a beacon of hope in an otherwise challenging season, helping the Blues climb from being the lowest-scoring team to a more respectable 28th in the league.
With key players like Robert Thomas and Oskar Sundqvist nearing their return from injuries, the Blues' depth at center is becoming a strength. Yet, Montgomery seems keen to keep Buchnevich in his current role for now. "Buchy" has shown remarkable improvement in face-offs and has been pivotal in creating offensive opportunities.
Neighbours attributes their success to strong communication and a shared understanding of each other's playing styles. "We have a really good understanding of how each guy wants to play," Neighbours explained. "Buchy’s done a great job in the middle, and we’ve just clicked."
Kyrou, known for his speed, has thrived in this setup, benefiting from Buchnevich's ability to find him on the rush. The line's emphasis on maintaining possession rather than relying on dump-and-chase tactics has been key to their effectiveness.
Despite Buchnevich's face-off percentage still being below ideal, his recent improvement has been crucial. Neighbours notes that Buchnevich's enhanced awareness and confidence in the center position have allowed the line to transition smoothly from defense to offense.
As the Blues prepare to resume their post-Olympic schedule against the Seattle Kraken, this line combination remains a focal point. With their current momentum, Buchnevich, Kyrou, and Neighbours could very well be the spark that propels the Blues forward in the coming games.