On balance, the Blues' defensive corps was slightly better this season than in 2022-23 thanks to Colton Parayko's excellent campaign and the emergence of rookie Matthew Kessel as a viable stay-at-home defender. The Blues remained in the playoff chase this season for one big reason: Their goaltending was great. Both Jordan Binnington and his first-year backup Joel Hofer had excellent campaigns. If the Blues keep this tandem intact next season, that team strength should keep them in the chase.
Following the Blues' 2-1 shootout loss to the Stars on Wednesday night, the franchise, its players and coaches and management and fans now all face the six-month return of hockey for the second straight year. Gone is the breakout season from Robert Thomas, and the elite play of Jordan Binnington. The firing of Craig Berube will be about 10 months old when the Blues next take the ice. When hockey returns in the fall, the Blues will be trying to avoid a third consecutive season without a postseason berth.
Jake Oettinger made 25 saves as the Dallas Stars earned a 2-1 shootout victory over the visiting St. Louis Blues on Wednesday to clinch the top Western Conference playoff seed. Oettinger's best save came in overtime, when reached his stick back to stop Robert Thomas' elevated shot toward the open side of the net. Mason Marchment scored the regulation goal for the Stars (52-21-9, 113 points), and Jason Robertson netted the shootout winner.
No | Player | P |
---|---|---|
59 | C | |
50 | G | |
79 | LW | |
89 | LW | |
72 | D | |
12 | C | |
30 | G | |
42 | RW | |
47 | D | |
25 | C | |
4 | D | |
63 | LW | |
55 | D | |
48 | D | |
20 | LW | |
6 | D | |
10 | C | |
70 | C | |
18 | C | |
13 | RW | |
75 | D | |
26 | LW |