3 Takeaways From Blues’ 4-2 Loss to the Blackhawks

The St. Louis Blues fell 4-2 to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night in Chicago’s home opener, making that their second straight loss. Mason McTavish gave the Blues an early lead, but Sam Rinzel and Anton Frondell scored in the second period to put the Blackhawks ahead. Cole Smith added an insurance goal in the third before Connor McMichael scored his first goal as a Blue late in the game. Frank Nazar’s empty-net goal sealed the win for Chicago.

Here are three takeaways from the loss.

Top Line Needs to Get Going

The Blues’ top line of Dylan Holloway, Robert Thomas and Jimmy Snuggerud was largely invisible against the Blackhawks, and that has to change if this team is going to have consistent offensive success.

The trio combined for just one shot through the first two periods and struggled to generate pressure. While the Blues’ second line was creating chances and spending time in the offensive zone, the top unit was having trouble establishing itself in the game.

Thomas is now wearing the captain’s “C” and remains one of the most important players on the roster, so the Blues need more from him offensively. Snuggerud and Holloway also have to find ways to become more involved rather than allowing other lines to carry the attack.

Holloway was moved down to the third line in the third period, with Pavel Buchnevich moving up alongside Thomas and Snuggerud. Holloway, Dalibor Dvorsky and Jake Neighbours became the new third line.

It is still extremely early in the season, but the Blues cannot rely on their other lines to make up for a lack of production from their best offensive players. The top line needs to start creating chances and producing before this becomes a bigger issue.

The New Additions Keep Producing

While the top line struggled, the McMichael, McTavish and Berggren line continued to look like one of the Blues’ most dangerous combinations.

McTavish opened the scoring in the first period after McMichael made a great move to enter the offensive zone before dropping the puck back to him. McTavish quickly fired a wrist shot past Spencer Knight to give St. Louis a 1-0 lead.

The chemistry between the two newcomers has been noticeable through the first few games. McMichael brings speed and playmaking ability, while McTavish has shown that he can use his size and skill to create opportunities around the net.

McMichael nearly added another goal in the second period, but his apparent goal was waved off because of an offside. The line continued to create chances despite the call, and McMichael eventually found the net late in the third.

With the Blues on a power play and Hofer pulled for a 6-on-4 advantage, McMichael scored with 37 seconds remaining to cut the Blackhawks’ lead to 3-2. It was his first goal with the Blues and gave the team a chance to complete the comeback.

The goal ultimately came too late, but the performance from McMichael and McTavish was another encouraging sign. If they can continue producing while the top line finds its game, the Blues should have a much more dangerous offense.

The Blues Turned Up the Pressure Too Late

The Blues had several strong stretches, but their biggest problem was their inability to maintain pressure once Chicago started taking control of the game.

After a strong opening period, St. Louis became sloppy in the neutral zone and struggled to clear the puck from its defensive end. Chicago began winning more loose-puck battles and spending longer stretches in the offensive zone, eventually turning that pressure into goals.

Rinzel tied the game on a rebound in the second period, ending the Blues’ penalty-kill streak at nine consecutive kills. Frondell then gave Chicago the lead after the Blues failed to clear the puck, and the Blackhawks carried that momentum into the third.

The Blues had chances to respond, including a breakaway for Buchnevich, but Knight continued to make the necessary saves. The Blackhawks also did a better job of winning the puck back when St. Louis appeared to have an opportunity to move up the ice.

That changed late in the third period. The Blues suddenly started generating extended offensive-zone pressure, with Snuggerud setting up Buchnevich for a chance and both Colton Parayko and McMichael hitting the post.

The late push eventually resulted in McMichael’s goal, but the Blues could not complete the comeback. Chicago scored into the empty net to secure the 4-2 victory.

Next Up

The loss drops the Blues to 1-2-0 as they look to close out their season-opening road trip on a better note before returning home for their home opener Oct. 8 against the San Jose Sharks.