After overcoming their biggest adversary in the last game, with a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators, there is a new test coming to town. The Buffalo Sabres, who are having a better-than-average season as the Blues, are just on the outside looking in on the Atlantic Division.
This is going to be a tough matchup for the Blues, but the return of their two star forwards is going to be a big help. Much like it was in the win against Nashville.
Here are three players to watch in this big matchup.
Joel Hofer
Getting the start, once again, is backup Joel Hofer. At this point, the hot hand is going to be the guy going in the net, and it does not matter if it is Hofer or starter Jordan Binnington. There is no such thing as a split, or backup and starter.
Hofer was fantastic against Nashville, but those low-danger chances got past him. Not once, but on two occasions. He has been steadily improving, and Buffalo doesn't have the best offense in terms of overall firepower, but they still have an elite threat in Tage Thompson. Can Hofer handle it?
Worthy note: The last time these two teams played on November 6, Hofer shut out the Sabres, 3-0.
Jordan Kyrou
Jordan Kyrou returned to the Blues after a pretty good length of time against Nashville, and had some impact on the game, but certainly not an x-factor. He led the team with four shots on goal, but did not get on the score sheet.
The Blues still need to make this offensive unit better, as they are still only mustering under three goals per game on average. Can Kyrou get on his horse and give a spark to the rest of the forward group?
Pavel Buchnevich
A player who was an x-factor against the Predators was Pavel Buchnevich. He scored two of the three goals in the game, and re-ignited the debate as to whether he still belongs on this team's future. After signing his deal, which went into effect at the start of this season, he has not lived up to the updated list of expectations.
He can still be a dominant player, but he is wildly inconsistent. Buchnevich has been a ghost for much of this season, despite being the second-highest scorer on this team with seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points. He is projected to finish the year with 44 points, which is a horrific return for his AAV of $8 million.
But, should he pick it up with another scoring effort against Buffalo, his future with the Blue Note gets a little brighter.