If there’s anyone in the NHL who knows a thing or two about coaching a Presidents’ Trophy-winning team and losing in the First Round of the NHL Playoffs, it’s Jim Montgomery. Just two seasons ago, Montgomery’s Boston Bruins suffered such a fate, and now, he’s got a chance to avenge that loss as coach of the Blues.
But the 2025 Blues aren’t the 2023 Panthers, who boasted a much better-than-advertised team. The Panthers made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2023, before winning it last season. Yet still, Montgomery can probably apply a few lessons he learned that season to what the Blues must accomplish.
And when you read what he’s got to say, you can’t help but stay motivated if you’re a Blues fan. Here’s how Montgomery summed everything up: “I think a lot of guys got some valuable experience in their first NHL playoff game. They’ll be significantly better, and I still think we have a lot of guys that have experience that maybe weren’t at the top of their game yesterday for us and they’ll be better.”
Yeah, that’s a pretty good approach if you ask me. And one that shines with putting a positive spin on just how much the Blues let missed opportunities go to the wayside after Game 1. It’s also something that will ring true for the entire playoff series - you either win and gain “valuable experience,” or you lose and gain that same “valuable experience.” So, either way, you’re winning something here.
Jim Montgomery won’t throw the Blues under the bus and that’s a good thing
Montgomery could’ve played the blame game, and some may even go as far as to say he should’ve played the blame game after a poor offensive showing on Saturday night. But with a team that doesn’t have much experience in the playoffs, and many having gone to the postseason for the first time, Montgomery’s taking the right approach here.
We need to remember that this season, the Blues are likely in the playoffs ‘for the experience,’ and nothing more. It doesn’t mean they won’t upset the Jets, and if they can take advantage of Connor Hellebuyck’s failures in the playoffs, they’ll make this a series if not more. But, even with a playoff berth this season, the Blues remain a work in progress, and everyone in the organization knows it.
Keep up the positive approach as the Blues continue to learn
If the Blues regress, then yeah, get tough on them. Montgomery should always hold the team accountable, especially if they have an off-night. But as for Game 1 and even Game 2? It’s all about gaining the younger players some much-needed experience and learning what the NHL Playoffs are all about. From there, Montgomery can raise the floor, especially with the series returning to Arch City later this week.
So, tonight, it’s all about rooting hard for the Blues, and hoping they can pull off the upset. But we also need to have enough common sense and realize that this team’s still not at the same level as their division rivals in Winnipeg, Denver, or Dallas. And you can count on Jim Montgomery to know and continue to preach that.