Blues-Sabres Gameday Lineup: Kyrou Scratched
The St. Louis Blues are sending a clear message by making Jordan Kyrou a healthy scratch for Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. The move follows inconsistent performances and strong postgame remarks from coach Jim Montgomery and captain Brayden Schenn after the team’s 6-1 defeat to the Washington Capitals.
“From the drop of the puck, we didn’t start on time, and we got worse after the first period,”
said Montgomery, expressing frustration with the team’s lack of effort and consistency just days after a solid 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
Recent Form and Context
The Blues have shown contrasting performances, recently delivering a strong game against Edmonton but stumbling badly in Washington. The club’s unpredictable play prompted Montgomery to make changes and challenge his roster’s competitiveness ahead of the second game in a back-to-back set.
- Opponent: Buffalo Sabres
- Game time: Thursday, 6 p.m.
- Broadcast: FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM
- Goalie: Joel Hofer, returning after Wednesday’s relief appearance
Team Message and Response
Montgomery’s decision to bench Kyrou reflects the urgency to reignite effort throughout the lineup. Phrases like “unacceptable” and “don’t compete and battle” were repeatedly used following the loss, signaling dissatisfaction with the group’s attitude and execution so far this season.
The Blues have previously demonstrated their potential with notable wins against elite Western Conference teams but remain in search of consistent identity and drive.
Author’s summary: St. Louis shakes up its roster by sitting Kyrou and pushing for renewed intensity after another uneven performance under coach Montgomery.