St. Louis Blues Make Surprising Healthy Scratch
The Buffalo Sabres returned to the ice Thursday night to face a struggling St. Louis Blues team. The Blues currently hold a 4-8-2 record this season and have struggled recently, going 1-6-2 in their last nine games. Their latest setback was a 6-1 loss to the Washington Capitals.
Blues Seek Solutions with Unexpected Move
In an effort to find answers, the Blues explored several options and made a surprising decision. According to Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic, Jordan Kyrou will be a healthy scratch for the game. Head coach Jim Montgomery explained,
“Many players could have been scratched after last night’s game, and ultimately I decided on this group tonight.”
Benching Kyrou, who is currently tied for second on the team in goals and points, was an unexpected choice. Coming into this season, Kyrou had three consecutive 30+ goal campaigns and has not appeared to be a liability for the Blues. In addition, he has been productive against Buffalo, recording nine points in 10 career games versus the Sabres.
Implications for Buffalo Sabres
This move is positive news for the Sabres, who now face a Blues lineup without one of their top goal-scorers to worry about.
Author's Summary
The Blues’ decision to healthy scratch Jordan Kyrou, a key offensive player, offers a surprising advantage to the Buffalo Sabres in their upcoming matchup.