St. Louis Blues Surprise Healthy Scratch
The St. Louis Blues made a surprising decision for their game against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, November 6, 2025, by scratching Jordan Kyrou despite him being tied for second in goals and points on the team.
Game Context and Team Status
The Blues were struggling with a record of 4-8-2 this season and had lost 6-1 the previous night to the Washington Capitals. Coach Jim Montgomery chose to shake things up with a mandatory morning skate and the healthy scratch of Kyrou to spark the team.
Impact of Kyrou’s Scratch
Jordan Kyrou had three consecutive 30+ goal seasons prior to this year and was productive against the Sabres, earning nine points in 10 career games. This move by the Blues was unexpected as Kyrou was not seen as part of the problem.
Game Performance and Results
- The Blues won the game 3-0 against the Sabres, with Joel Hofer making 28 saves for his third NHL shutout.
- Mathieu Joseph scored a short-handed goal and provided two assists.
- Justin Faulk scored a goal and added an assist, and Nick Bjugstad also scored.
- The Sabres' seven-game point streak was snapped as they were shut out for the first time since their season opener.
"Many players could have been scratched after last night’s game, and ultimately I decided on this group tonight." — St. Louis Blues head coach Jim Montgomery
This decision was seen as a coaching strategy to revitalize a struggling team. For the Buffalo Sabres, it was good news as they did not face one of the Blues' top goal-scorers on the ice.
Next Games
- Blues prepare for a four-game homestand starting Saturday against the Seattle Kraken.
- Sabres will visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.
Author's summary: The Blues benched top scorer Jordan Kyrou in a surprising move that paid off with a 3-0 victory over the Sabres, ending Buffalo's seven-game point streak and giving St. Louis a much-needed boost.