Observations from Blues' 3-0 Win Vs. Sabres

The St. Louis Blues responded strongly to Jordan Kyrou's healthy scratch by securing a 3-0 shutout victory against the Buffalo Sabres. Joel Hofer stood out with his first shutout of the season and third of his career, supported by key secondary scoring from Mathieu Joseph and Nick Bjugstad.

Coach's Accountability Measures

After a poor performance against the Washington Capitals, Blues coach Jim Montgomery made tough decisions, healthy-scratching top players Jordan Kyrou and Oskar Sundqvist, and likely sitting Robert Thomas for the final minutes of the second period. Montgomery stressed accountability for all players regardless of status.

Team Effort and Response

The team held a morning skate despite it being the second game of a back-to-back, showing commitment after their recent struggles.
Montgomery emphasized the need for hustle, energy, and competitive spirit, and the players delivered in those areas.
The Blues showed improvement in puck battles, wall battles, and 1-on-1 contests compared to the prior game.

Current Record and Performance

The Blues now hold a 5-8-2 record, with this win marking either their second victory in the past ten games or two wins out of three, depending on perspective.

Player Highlights

Joel Hofer: Posted a strong performance with the shutout.
Mathieu Joseph and Nick Bjugstad: Contributed important secondary scoring.
Fourth line and Justin Faulk: Had notable strong games.

“It’s holding players accountable, no matter who it is.”

This message was clearly communicated by the coaching staff to inspire better effort and results.

Author’s summary: The Blues rebounded decisively after a tough loss by embracing accountability and energy, led by Hofer's goalkeeping and crucial role players stepping up.

The Hockey News — 2025-11-07