Amanda: We predicted a regulation win against Dallas. We were wrong. And this time, it wasn’t just one goal—it was two, and the defense left us hanging again. Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, I’m Amanda, and joining me is Paul.
Paul: Hey everyone. Yeah, we’ve got an 0-2 start now. It’s frustrating, but we’re here to break down exactly where it went sideways in that 2-1 loss to the Stars.
Amanda: So here’s what we’re tackling today. First, we’re reacting to the final score and Jonatan Berggren’s lone goal for St. Louis. Second, we’re diving into the defensive breakdowns and special teams issues that plagued us. And third, we’re looking ahead to the Chicago Blackhawks game on September 25th, plus some major league news including Ryan Reaves’ retirement.
Paul: And of course, we can’t ignore the emotional weight of the season so far with Matthew Mayich’s situation still weighing on the organization. Let’s get into it.
Amanda: Alright, let’s start with the box score because it’s brutal. Dallas wins 2-1. Nils Lundkvist had both goals for the Stars, assisted by Mikko Rantanen. For us? Jonatan Berggren had the goal, Otto Stenberg the assist. That’s it. One goal in two games. Paul, how do you even begin to process an offense that’s been shut down like this?
Paul: It’s not just the scoring; it’s the quality of chances. We talked about neutral-zone play yesterday. Against Dallas, they’re forcing those entries deep. Berggren got his goal, which is great for him—he’s leading us in points and goals—but it felt isolated. Where’s the support? You look at the roster, you’ve got Robert Thomas as captain, you’ve got Pavel Buchnevich, Dylan Holloway... but they weren’t clicking.
Amanda: Right, and remember, we predicted secondary scorers would contribute. They didn’t. Even Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, who we thought would lead the offense, was quiet. It’s tough when your top line isn’t generating sustained pressure. Did you see any forecheck success?
Paul: Not really. The Stars’ neutral-zone trap was effective. We were turning the puck over too much on zone entries. When you lose possession there, you’re chasing the game. Lundkvist scoring twice shows how exposed we were on the back end. It’s hard to score when you’re constantly playing from behind.
Amanda: It’s a stark contrast to our preseason preview. We were excited about Thomas’s leadership, but leadership doesn’t always show up in the stats immediately. Do you think the pressure of being captain has affected him, or is it just the system Dallas put on us?
Paul: I don’t think it’s the captaincy. Thomas is a veteran center. This is a systemic issue. The Stars are disciplined. They kill penalties well, they block shots. We need to be sharper on the power play if we want to generate more than one goal per game. Right now, we’re struggling to create space in the offensive zone.
Amanda: Okay, so offensively, we’re stuck. But let’s talk about the other side of the puck. Dallas scored two goals. One was Lundkvist, one was... wait, the brief says Lundkvist had both goals? So he was the primary driver there.
Paul: Yes, Lundkvist had two goals and an assist. That’s huge for a defenseman. It means they were getting high-quality chances from the point and the slot. Our penalty kill was tested, and while we didn’t give up many power-play goals, even-strength defense was vulnerable. Especially on breakaways or quick transitions.
Amanda: Wait, hold on. If Lundkvist scored two goals, that means we gave up two even-strength goals? Or were they power-play goals? The brief doesn’t specify PP vs ES, but it highlights Lundkvist’s 1-point game.
Paul: Usually, when a D-man scores multiple times in a low-scoring game like this, it’s often on the power play or a rebound scramble. But regardless, giving up two goals to a defenseman is a red flag. It suggests we weren’t blocking lanes or clearing rebounds effectively.
Amanda: That’s concerning. We talked about defensive strategies against Dallas’s speed. Clearly, we didn’t contain their speed. Okay, moving on to Segment 2. We need to talk about the injuries. Cameron Hughes is day-to-day, but Blackwell, Bertucci, Fuder, Tucker, Tiefensee—all out. How does that impact the lineup for Chicago?
Paul: It’s a massive blow. Colin Blackwell brings physicality. Tristan Bertucci and Jaxon Fuder add depth on the wings. Losing six players like that forces the coaches to call up prospects or shuffle existing lines. You lose chemistry. You lose grit. Against Chicago, who is known for being physical, that’s going to hurt us.
Amanda: So who steps up? We’ve got guys like Ross Johnston, Jake Neighbours, maybe some of the younger centers like Maddox Dagenais or Zach Dean. Are they ready for NHL-level pressure, especially with the team struggling?
Paul: It’s a gamble. Johnston is an enforcer type, so he’ll provide toughness. But skill-wise, we need someone to step up. Maybe Dylan Holloway takes on more responsibility. He’s a skilled winger who can drive play. But without the depth, fatigue sets in. And fatigue leads to mistakes.
Amanda: And then there’s the goaltending. Who’s in net? The brief doesn’t list starters, but we know the Blues have been working through options. With two losses, the pressure is mounting on whoever is wearing the pads.
Paul: Goaltending is crucial right now. If the defense is leaking chances, the goalie needs to make saves. We haven’t seen standout performances from the netminders yet. In a 2-1 loss, the goalie should have kept us in it. Every save matters when you’re not scoring.
Amanda: Right. And special teams? The power play was silent. The penalty kill... well, we only lost by one, so maybe they held up? But giving up two goals suggests gaps.
Paul: The PK might have been okay, but the PP was non-existent. We need to find a way to generate traffic in front. Lundkvist’s goals likely came from rebounds or deflections. We weren’t screening the goalie enough. It’s a simple fix, but it requires commitment from forwards to crash the net.
Amanda: Applause for the idea, at least! Because the execution hasn’t been there. Okay, Paul, let’s pivot. There’s a lot happening outside the rink. Ryan Reaves retiring. Three visor-less players left in the NHL. And Matthew Mayich’s health update. How do these stories sit with you?
Paul: Reaves retiring is big. He’s a legend in terms of identity. Only three players left without visors now. It’s a changing era. But Mayich... that’s heavy. His family and lawyer are seeking answers after his collapse at ASU. Heat stroke reduced oxygen to his brain. It’s a somber reminder of the risks in hockey.
Amanda: It is very heavy. The Blues drafted him, so the connection is personal. The organization must be supporting him and his family deeply. It puts the on-ice struggles into perspective. We’re worried about standings; they’re worried about life.
Paul: Exactly. Thomas was named captain despite trade rumors, showing stability. But Mayich’s situation is a wake-up call for safety protocols. ASU is investigating. It’s a serious matter. We hope he recovers fully.
Amanda: Let’s bring it back to the ice. Chicago Blackhawks. September 25th. Home game. What do the Blues need to do to snap this skid? We predicted a win in the rematch against Dallas, which didn’t happen. Can we bounce back against Chicago?
Paul: Chicago is a rebuilding team, but they’re young and fast. They won’t respect you. To win, St. Louis needs to control the neutral zone. No more turnovers. We need to win the board battles. And we need our top line to generate offense. Berggren needs help.
Amanda: And defensively, we need to block shots. Lundkvist scored twice against us. We can’t let that happen again. Simple as that. Also, with the injuries, depth players like Connor McMichael or Mason McTavish might see more ice. Can they handle the load?
Paul: McTavish has size. He can use it to protect the puck. McMichael is faster. Either way, the coaching staff needs to be careful with minutes. Fatigue is the enemy. If we can keep the game tight and win the face-offs, we have a chance.
Amanda: Face-offs are key. Robert Thomas needs to dominate the dot. If he wins draws, we control tempo. But ultimately, we need to score. Two goals isn’t enough in the NHL. We need three, four.
Paul: Agreed. Offense wins games. Defense keeps you close. Right now, we’re failing at both slightly. But against Chicago, if we focus on structure and forechecking, we can turn it around. It starts with energy.
Amanda: Energy and execution. Okay, before we wrap up, I want to take a moment. If today’s episode helped you understand where the Blues stand, or gave you insight into the Mayich situation and the team’s challenges, please consider supporting the show. Your contributions keep this daily coverage free for everyone. Just check the link in the episode description.
Paul: Thanks for listening. We appreciate every single one of you tuning in. Stay positive, stay engaged.
Amanda: Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Let’s get behind the Blues and push for that first win against Chicago. Go Blues!