The St. Louis Blues have been on a downward spiral and the confidence that this team had at the end of last season is starting to fade away. With each passing defeat, no matter how big or small, this team is digging themselves into a deeper hole then they can get out of.
Head coach Jim Montgomery is taking a gamble by scrambling the lines, trying to find the right fits. Lackluster play has really plagued this team so far through 10 games. Now on a five -game losing streak, the questions are starting to stack-up as to why this team cannot play better.
The leadership on the ice is where the Blues will redeem themselves. It will come down to the veteran goaltender in Jordan Binnington, the players with the "A" on their chest, and ultimately the captain.
Can Brayden Schenn will this team back from the brink of self-destruction?
Schenn has to step up with leadership and guidance
Brayden Schenn has been one of those players who has been on the lackluster side of things. With a -11 on the stat line, he is tied for the second-worst +/- in the NHL.
In the most recent loss, he got the Blues on the board with the opening goal, setting his team up with an advantage on home ice. Then, he threw hands with Red Wings forward Travis Hamonic to try and fire up his squad.
Both of those instances were a bit of an anomaly for this season, but it is apparent he is trying to get something going. It has been a down year so far for almost every Blues player, with some small wins here and there. Schenn has to try and use his leadership to invoke change in this group.
Head coach Jim Montgomery has to have realized that by pushing Schenn onto the top line in their most recent loss to Detroit. Pius Suter has been adequate replacing Robert Thomas, but Schenn's promotion seemed like a move to inspire the rest of the squad.
Schenn has an immense responsibility to lead this team back from the bottom of the Central Division. There is still a ton of hockey left, but as things stand right now, it is about as bad as it can get for the Blues.