The St. Louis Blues are staring down one more challenge before the Olympic break, and it comes in the form of a road clash with the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night at American Airlines Center (8:30 p.m.
ET, TNT, HBO Max, 101 ESPN). After a frustrating loss in Nashville on Monday, this final game before the pause offers a chance to reset the tone-and the Blues know it.
Head Coach Jim Montgomery didn’t mince words about the importance of finishing strong. “We’ve got to come back with a really good effort, so we head into the break feeling really good about ourselves,” he said.
And he’s not wrong. While the Blues have shown plenty of grit over their last dozen games, battling hard and keeping pace in a tight playoff picture, the execution hasn’t always matched the effort.
That’s been the missing piece-closing out games when it matters most.
This matchup against Dallas isn’t just about two points in the standings. It’s about momentum, confidence, and heading into the break with a sense of purpose. The Blues have been trending in the right direction in terms of compete level, but as Montgomery noted, it’s time to pair that with sharper execution-especially in crunch time.
As for the lineup, Montgomery is keeping his options open. He hasn’t committed to a specific configuration just yet, leaving the door open for either an 11-forward, 7-defenseman setup or the more traditional 12-and-6 alignment. It’s a tactical decision that could come down to matchups, special teams strategy, or simply who’s ready to bring the energy in a tough road environment.
One thing that is locked in: Jordan Binnington will get the start in net. The veteran goalie has been a steady presence and will be counted on again to give the Blues a chance to steal a key win. Up front, Nathan Walker is set to return to the lineup, bringing his trademark hustle and edge-something this team could use as they look to bounce back from Monday’s stumble.
With the Olympic break looming, this isn’t just another regular-season game. It’s a tone-setter.
A chance to head into the pause with a win, a spark, and something to build on when the schedule resumes. The Blues know what’s at stake-and now it’s about showing up and finishing the job.