St. Louis Blues Make Surprising Healthy Scratch
The Buffalo Sabres returned to the ice Thursday night to face a struggling St. Louis Blues team. The Blues have started the season with a disappointing 4-8-2 record and have posted a 1-6-2 stretch over their last nine games, including a heavy 6-1 defeat to the Washington Capitals.
Jordan Kyrou Healthy Scratch Shocks Fans
In an unexpected move, the Blues decided to bench Jordan Kyrou despite his strong performance this season. Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reported that Kyrou would be a healthy scratch for the upcoming game. Head coach Jim Montgomery remarked on the decision:
“Many players could have been scratched after last night’s game, and ultimately I decided on this group tonight.”
Kyrou's Season and Impact
Kyrou, currently tied for second place on the team in goals and points, entered the season with a history of scoring 30 or more goals per season over three consecutive years. He has also been effective against the Sabres, tallying nine points in 10 career games versus Buffalo. Despite this, the Blues chose to sit him out.
Implications for the Buffalo Sabres
This decision benefits the Buffalo Sabres, who now face one less key scorer from the Blues lineup. It relieves some pressure on their defense and could impact the game's outcome positively for Buffalo.
Season Struggles
- Blues record: 4-8-2 overall
- Recent form: 1-6-2 in last nine games
- Last game: 6-1 loss to Washington Capitals
Author's summary: The surprising healthy scratch of Jordan Kyrou could give the Buffalo Sabres a significant advantage as they face a struggling St. Louis Blues team aiming to find answers.