The St. Louis Blues are on a three-game stinker, with a couple of really good opponents coming up this week. If they do not get right with a win against Carolina on Tuesday night, they are in serious trouble.
Looking back at this three-game losing streak, as well as many of the losses they suffered this season, there is a bunch of similar issues shown. Hot starts are flushed down the toilet with an embarrassing middle period that really sets the tone for the conclusion of hockey games.
That dilemma really only falls on one focus area, which is leadership. The play on the ice during the second period is obviously the reason why the Blues are not able to compete in some games. As well as they start a game, whether it's been a quick goal to go ahead, or just an aggressive game in which they control the puck with a lot of shots on net and hits given, it usually ends up being blown up in the second period.
No accountability
The everlasting problem with the Blues this season is that there is no accountability. Aside from head coach Jim Montgomery sitting Jordan Kyrou for one game, there haven't been many other actions to warrant a reaction from the players. Logan Mailloux was sent down to the minors for a little while, but was brought back. The third defensive pairing has just been a constant revolving door, with Mailloux, Tyler Tucker, Hunter Skinner, and Matthew Kessel just subbing in and out of each other.
Over the course of this season, each postgame interview scrum has consisted of the same kind of speech: "This team is getting there, and we know what we are capable of". This is a paraphrase, but basically speaks to what the captain has said, the top-tier talent on this team has said, and the goaltending has said. But after 46 games, this Blues team is still not there, and this is the furthest they have ever been.
Leadership on the ice and behind the bench
Jim Montgomery, Doug Armstrong, and Brayden Schenn should be in the limelight right now. This fanbase, who were expecting another possibility of a playoff appearance after last season's miraculous run, is going to want some answers to this season's debacle.
Montgomery has a pedigree with a Jack Adams Award, and he has to motivate this group to be better. He came in last season with barely any turnaround and turned this very similar roster into a playoff contender. Can he do that in the last few months of this season?
Armstrong is going to have a very busy next couple of months. After the Olympics are done, it will be full steam ahead for the trade deadline. Can he wheel and deal some of the core group to put this team in any kind of direction?
Schenn has proven himself to stick up for his teammates and answer the bell when needed. But that kind of leadership only goes so far. His on-ice production has been inadequate, much like the rest of this team. Are these the final days of Schenn as a Blue?