Don't look now, but the St. Louis Blues are creeping up the Central Division standings. They're 5-4-1 and tied for fourth in the division with 11 points, and are coming off a resounding 6-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights (which bumped them to second in the Pacific Division). Things seem to be getting back on the right track after a sluggish start.
Perhaps the most important turning point has been the emergence of the Blues' top line. All six of Robert Thomas's points have come in the last six games, and Jimmy Snuggerud's riding a three-game goal streak. One critical lineup decision is the likely cause.
Calling upon a veteran
It's still pretty early in the season, but Pavel Buchnevich has looked rejuvanated to start the 2026-27 campaign. He was playing exceptionally well in a middle-six role, usually with Connor McMichael and Mason McTavish; that line was the Blues' offensive engine while the top line of Thomas, Snuggerud and Dylan Holloway struggled to recapture the chemistry they showed after the Winter Olympics late last season. A weak power play compounded the lack of offensive juice in the Blues' lineup.
When a line isn't working, it's up to the coach to shuffle things around to try and find a combination that works. Moving McMichael or McTavish up the lineup would've broken up a pair that's clearly working well together, so it makes sense that Buchnevich got the nod. Per Natural Stat Trick, Buchnevich is leading regular Blues forwards with a 55.07 xGF%; he's been the team's strongest forward by the underlying numbers.
Is it sustainable?
It's tricky to project how effective a line will be over any period of time--sometimes the chemistry flags, sometimes opposing teams are better prepared; anything can change. For now, it does seem possible that the new-look top line of Thomas, Buchnevich and Snuggerud can sustain its success--at least in the short term. Thomas and Snuggerud are eaching sporting positive expected goals-for numbers, just not quite to the degree that Buchnevich is.
There are two potential wrinkles that would break up that trio: Holloway playing his way back up the lineup, or Buchnevich looking more like the middling player we saw last season. The former would be a good problem to have--Holloway's on a six-game point streak where he's scored all 10 of his points so far this season. Elevating him back to the top line for continued strong performance would be a boon for the Blues.
The latter could be more of a problem. If Buchnevich falls off and the coaching staff doesn't trust Holloway in a top-line role yet, then that would force the Blues to consider breaking up their dominant second line. The good news is that neither Buchnevich nor Holloway look to be flagging, giving the Blues' forward group some of the best depth its had in years.
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