Blues Beat Bugbear

The St. Louis Blues have not had many out-of-character results so far this season. For the most part they have been handling the teams they usually handle and doing nothing against the teams that seem to always have their number. There is some solace to be had just knowing that you are going to probably beat Calgary, and will probably lose to Columbus, just as the sun will most likely rise in the East tomorrow.

Granted that isn't an ideal set of affairs for a sports team, but Blues fans have learned to take what they can get. Which is why it is fair to say last night's victory over Utah was unusual. The Blues do not play well against that collection of players. Ever. So, any victory would be noteworthy in this matchup, but the resilience they showed last night was an added bonus. The Blues still have crappy puck luck, but last night they didn't let it get them down and, miracle of miracles, the puck luck evened out for the game.

For a change the PK wasn't always running around crazily (just sometimes) and Binnington was only asked to make 1 or 2 outstanding stops. Was it perfect, no, but it was remarkably better than we have seen in about a month. Offensively they generated enough scoring chances, and the line of Thomas, Kyrou and Buchnevich actually lived up to the billing as the number one line.

Honestly, I would leave the lines alone for a month if I were Monty. That is about as balanced as you are going to get with this group of forwards and still have a dangerous top line. You need to make your opponents have to take one line seriously, and that wasn't happening with any of the other line combinations.

The Blues were able to slay the Utah bugbear, which is nice, but there are a few others they need to take care of in the future. One is the bugbear of performing in home games. Another big one is winning more than two games in a row. I don't think the playoffs are a possibility for this team, and given the right return trades should be entertained, but they can be better than they have shown. Just do that Blues; be better.

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