Saturday's preseason finale in Chicago is set to show both power play units, and resemble as close to a full NHL roster as possible. The lineup will feature a wider range of NHL regulars who have been sprinkled into the lineup throughout the preseason, finally giving fans a complete look at the 2026-27 roster as a whole.
That being said, Thursday's 1-0 win over the Blackhawks wasn't just the first win of training camp. For Adam Jiricek, Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, Nathan Walker, Dylan Peterson, and the rest of the bubble, it could have been the last audition they got ahead of the regular season.
Monty recognizing his team
After two lackluster losses to Dallas, Montgomery sounded more like he recognized his own team again. The Blues outshot the Blackhawks 36-17, with Calle Rosen scoring at 3:39 of the third period, assisted by Connor McMichael and Pavel Buchnevich. Jordan Binnington needed only 17 saves for the shutout, but flashed glimpses of his former self. Montgomery called his game "exceptional," with some of his saves happening away from where the bench could even see it.
Jiricek's case as the seventh defenseman
The Blues' young defenseman, Jiricek, played alongside Rosen in game three of the preseason, logged 17:04 of ice time, put four shots on net, and took a high-sticking minor. After the game, Montgomery continued to refer to Jiricek's deception and release of his wrist shot. He went on to say that the blueliner plays the game "like an artist working a canvas," and when asked if he had seen a defenseman that young create and attack space that way, he was quick to say Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes.
While Montgomery likely wasn't comparing the height of Jiricek's career to mirror two of the league's top blueliners, it is certainly high praise for him. What makes the compliment even more interesting is how Jiricek has put himself in a very interesting position ahead of the final regular season game. If Tyler Tucker's injury keeps him out to open the season, the seventh defenseman job comes down to Rosen and Jiricek. Rosen just scored the game's lone goal and has veteran NHL experience. However, Jiricek is the one Montgomery described as a player who can change a shift by himself.
The crowded bottom-six
The forward battle seems, publically, just as unresolved. With Kaskimaki's growth and ability to now insert him seemingly anywhere into the lineup, he earned additional time Thursday night on the Blues' 6-on-5 late in the game. He managed six shots on goal and three hits in 15:18 of time on ice. Walker (two shots, five hits, and a blocked shot in 13:08), and Peterson each did themselves favors on the forecheck. Finley won six of eight faceoffs and has put himself into an interesting discussion about whether he becomes the Blues' fourth-line center.
Forward Zach Dean drew the marquee look at center between Buchnevich and McMichael, going two-for-seven on draws. The competition is fierce, and the waiver-eligible Dean could have a very difficult decision to make in the coming days.
What Saturday decides
The power play still isn't up to snuff. Montgomery admitted the two units struggled to gain the zone cleanly, even if the in-zone play improved. Saturday in Chicago is the dress rehersal ahead of the regular season and he will finally get the chance to see what his veterans can do in their new system.
With the final game of the preseason ahead, whichever bubble players make the roster will be there because of Thursday's play against Chicago, not because they are receiving one more open audition. While they only scored once, the Blues are playing like the team the coaching staff is looking for. Regardless of whether a veteran or a rookie dresses in the final spots of the lineup, it will be because the internal competition the Blues management has been preaching is working according to plan.
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