The St. Louis Blues were unable to maintain their momentum from the avenging victory over the Nashville Predators on Saturday. The red-hot Buffalo Sabres rolled into town, and they brought everything but the kitchen sink with them. It was a close affair, but the Blues lost it in the third period, losing the game 4-2.
Joel Hofer was given another chance to prove himself, and there was a bit of a rash decision with one of the better players of the forward group. All that and much more in the three biggest takeaways from the game.
Let's talk about it.
Hofer faced a tough team
Hofer was given his second straight start, as head coach Jim Montgomery stated that it will not be a split in starts anymore, but instead, the hot hand. Even though this was a losing effort, it should count as a good and quality start from No. 30.
The Sabres are the hottest team in the NHL right now, as they entered the game on an eight-game winning streak. The Blues had a solid lead for most of the game, and the emphasis on playing a ferocious and fast game was evident from the Blue Note, but it just wasn't enough.
This should not be a dark mark on his season, and it should warrant him another opportunity against the Dallas Stars on New Year's Eve.
Berrgren benched?
Jonatan Berggren was a healthy scratch in this game, and it puzzled many as to why. In the Nashville game, he was a bit sloppy and unnoticeable on the ice, but one bad night versus the fantastic first couple of showings from the newly acquired forward is hardly enough evidence to bench him.
This might have been one of the worst decisions that Montgomery has made this season. It wasn't a bad call, but an unnecessary one. The Blues are still in the running for a playoff spot, despite all of the horrific losses.
Why not have your best lineup out there every single night to try and get the two points?
Two points stolen
At the end of the day, two points were stolen from the Blues, and the Sabres retain their winning streak. Now at 15-17-8 for 38 points, the Blues still remain three points back of San Jose and Los Angeles for the two wild-card spots in the Western Conference.
The season will be at its halfway point following the game against Dallas on Wednesday night, meaning there are only 82 more points to grab. It might seem like a lot, but this team hasn't been able to get at least half of their points this season already, with a points% of .475.
Will this team be able to close out 2025 the right way, and move onto a more successful 2026?