St. Louis Blues: Grading Blues Performances In October

The St. Louis Blues struggled throughout October, and though there are signs that things may be starting to turn around, some of the Blues report cards reflect the sloppy play.

The season will (hopefully) not be defined by how the Blues played in October, but after only winning two of the team’s first eight games, the Blues have dug themselves a trench to begin the year.

There are many negatives that fans and media have been focusing on during the first month of the season, but some players have stuck out as big positives that can be used as building blocks for the rest of the year.

The Blues have seemingly discovered line combinations that have clicked toward the end of the month. After starting with a line of Ryan O’Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Patrick Maroon, the Blues have since placed Maroon on the third line, O’Reilly on the second line, and moved Tarasenko with Brayden Schenn and Jaden Schwartz.

Defensively, the Blues have been a nightmare, they have given up three goals or more in nine of the first ten games of the season. In today’s NHL, this is entirely unacceptable, and if this continues, the Blues will be going nowhere.

Jay Bouwmeester, who is among those who will be getting a negative report card, has been less than good so far this season, is a big reason why the Blues got off to a slow start. In reality, it’s not just one player who can change the scope of an entire game, but the play of Bouwmeester and the rest of the Blues defense have contributed to the slow start.