This was a painful game to watch. The St. Louis Blues, who had every opportunity to get one-up on one of their biggest rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks, failed to do so, losing 4-2.
Things started on the right note, with Mason McTavish continuing his impressive initial run. But the second period was a monumental collapse, and the Blues could not pick it back up.
Here are some losers from the loss, and one bright light.
Losers
First line
The first line is not living up to its expectations. Robert Thomas, Jimmy Snuggerud, and Dylan Holloway have all gone missing in action over the last six periods of hockey, and it is not looking so great right now.
Without Connor Bedard, this was the best chance for Thomas, especially, to have a bit of an offensive arrival for the 2026-27 season. That did not happen as he was still non-existent in this pivotal loss in the early season.
Snuggerud got off to a nice start in Dallas, but he has also cooled off. Holloway's key stat from this game, which was evident with the eye-test as well, was his physicality with five hits.
This is supposed to be the Blues biggest asset, and it has turned into this team's biggest failure.
Powerplay
Speaking of failure, the power play is horrifically bad. It is unorganized and underwhelming, considering the talent that is out there with a man-advantage.
They finally got on the board with Connor McMichael's 6-on-4 effort in the garbage time of the game. It was a frantic goal, with the Blues just throwing anything at Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight.
Blues goal: McMichael makes it a one-goal game on the power play. pic.twitter.com/Eivm42D20M
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) October 7, 2026
Now at 1-for-8 on the power play, something has to give at this point for head coach Jim Montgomery. They have to find a way to get these units going.
Winner
Second line
Mason McTavish and McMichael are both proving to be excellent additions to the Blues. Pavel Buchnevich has been steady, but still on the underwhelming side of things, considering actual output.
If not for this line, the Blues would not be winless on this opening road trip, and not at 1-2-0. The "McDouble" has been a stable duo, with McTavish potentially adding some pressure to that top-line wingers.
The Blues are going to need to hope that this line continues to produce until and during the expected revival of the first line. Eventually, Thomas, Snuggerud, and Holloway will get it together, and the importance of the second line will be abundant.
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