Blues GameDay Preview: 2026-27 Season Opener Against Stars

The moment we have all been waiting for has arrived. The St. Louis Blues will take the ice for the first time in the 2026-27 season when they face the Dallas Stars in their home opener. The Blues finished the preseason with a 1-3 record, with two of those losses coming against the Stars. St. Louis closed out its preseason schedule by splitting a two-game series with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Both teams will be looking for their first regular-season goal and win. After falling to the Stars twice in the preseason, the Blues will have an opportunity to turn the tables when it matters most.

Blues Storylines

New Blues captain Robert Thomas will take the ice for the first time with a new patch on his jersey after serving as an alternate captain the past four years. Thomas played 64 games last season, finishing with 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists). Not only will Thomas look to take his game to the next level as the Blues’ No. 1 center, but he will also face the challenge of proving himself as the team’s captain.

Top Blues defensive prospect Adam Jiricek gets the go-ahead to make his NHL debut after being recalled from the Springfield Thunderbirds following Logan Mailloux’s placement on injured reserve with a hand injury that is expected to keep him out for at least eight weeks.

While Mailloux’s season begins with a setback, the 20-year-old now has an opportunity to show what he can bring to the Blues’ blue line. Jiricek had a strong 2025-26 season in the OHL, recording 19 goals and 40 assists for 59 points in 55 games while posting a plus-31 rating. He will look to carry that production and his defensive ability into his NHL debut while making a case to remain with the Blues.

The biggest acquisition of the offseason, Mason McTavish, will make his Blues debut. St. Louis acquired McTavish during the 2026 NHL Draft, sending two first-round picks to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the 23-year-old forward. 

McTavish spent the first five seasons of his NHL career with the Ducks. Last season, he played 75 games and recorded 41 points, including 17 goals and 24 assists. The Blues are hoping a change of scenery will help McTavish take another step offensively and become a major part of the team’s attack.

While McTavish is the headline addition, several other new faces will wear the Blue Note for the first time, including Connor McMichael, Ross Johnston, Brandon Carlo and Justin Barron.

Team Stats

St. Louis Blues:
Season Record: 0-0-0

Dallas Stars:
Season Record: 0-0-0

Projected Lineup

(Subject to change before puck drop)

St. Louis Blues

Dylan Holloway — Robert Thomas — Jimmy Snuggerud
Pavel Buchnevich — Mason McTavish — Connor McMichael
Jake Neighbours — Dalibor Dvorsky — Jonatan Berggren
Alexey Torpchenko — Pius Suter — Dillon Dube

Philip Broberg — Justin Barron
Theo Lindstein — Colton Parayko
Cam Fowler — Adam Jiricek

Joel Hofer
Jordan Binnington

Scratched: Zach Dean, Ross Johnston

Injured: Logan Mailloux, Tyler Tucker

Dallas Stars

Justin Hryckowian — Wyatt Johnston — Mikko Rantanen
Jason Robertson — Roope Hintz — Tyler Seguin
Joel Kiviranta — Arttu Hyry — Jamie Benn
Oskar Back — Radek Faksa — Sam Steel

Thomas Harley — Miro Heiskanen
Esa Lindell — Niles Lundkvist
Lian Bichsel — Tyler Myers

Jake Ottinger
Casey Desmith

Scratched: Kyle Capobianco

Injured: Matt Duchene

Next Up for the Blues

After facing the Stars in their home opener, the Blues will quickly hit the road and travel to Colorado to take on the Avalanche on Oct. 3. Following the game in Colorado, St. Louis will have two days off before traveling to Chicago to face the division-rival Blackhawks on Oct. 6.

The Blues will then return home for the first time of the season to host the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 8.