The St. Louis Blues are starting to flounder a bit with their most recent 4-2 loss to Utah. It was a bitter defeat, but it was on the heels of a really big night from two former players to rock the Blue note.
Let's talk about what happened on Thursday night, and how it should hurt your soul.
Texier hat-trick
Yes, Alexandre Texier, who was terminated from his contract by the Blues earlier this season. He helped the Montreal Canadiens defeat the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers, with a hat-trick.
Not a Gordie Howe Hat-trick, but a real one involving scoring three goals in the same game. It was the first one of his career, and it is really a great thing to see him pick up quality minutes with the Habs and shine. But that thought of him doing that with the Blues this season, when they desperately need scoring like that, hurts a bit.
Ellis shut down the Rangers at MSG
One of the things that has been ailing the Blues this season has been lackluster goaltending from both Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer. Prior to the season, there was a third possible name to throw in there, but they were waived before opening night and claimed by Buffalo.
Of course, I am talking about Colton Ellis, who was not supposed to be let go by General Manager Doug Armstrong, but was. He blanketed the New York Rangers on Thursday night, with 30 saves under the bright lights of Broadway. The Sabres needed him to be at his best, especially with a Hall-of-Famer on the other end of the ice in Jonathan Quick.
Ellis would have been called up very early on this season, especially in those first couple of stinkers by Hofer to start the 2025-26 season. Ellis would have gotten his shot, and who knows, this puzzling situation that the Blues are in right now in regards to their goaltending future might have been answered.
With a 5-3 record, a 3.10 Goals Against Average, and a .900 save percentage, Ellis is making an impact for one of the hottest hockey teams in the NHL.