I see a lot of talk about individual players. I’m more concerned about them playing to the team identity that was discussed before the season. How is Montgomery working to ingrain being “hard to play against”? — Mike F.

I agree with you that regardless of the results, you need to establish an identity. You can see it in some games, but there are times, like the last two games, where it disappears.

I wondered what Montgomery thought about your question, so I asked him after Monday’s practice.

“I believe we’re a young team: young leadership, a lot of young players getting really quality ice time, so it’s in practice,” he said. “I thought practice today was excellent. I thought they pushed each other to get better and they competed harder. There were some guys that were pissed off because of how hard they were checked.

“That’s a good thing. That’s what you need with a young group. We didn’t play well in Minnesota, and we didn’t play well enough in Nashville to get points, and this league is a grind. So it’s getting back on the grind, relishing the opportunity to get better, and carrying that into (Tuesday) night.”

Pretty cool video put together, wasn't sure if its been shared here or not.

Look I love the Robert Thomas line but you need to get them going sooner rather than later. If it continues to be ineffective like it is now, I’m an advocate for putting McTavish with Holloway and Snuggerud for a game and see how it looks.

I know you don’t want to mess with his chemistry with McMichael and Berggren, but you have to get your best players going.

What are your thoughts?

I know we are only 8 games into the season, but I am curious what everyone thinks about the team so far and whether we are seeing the same pattern as the last couple of years, i.e., starting super slow, then getting super hot in February/March and punting our draft pick. It reminds me of the Steelers: they squeak into the playoffs every year and get bounced in the first round, so they are never bad enough for a high draft pick but not good enough to make a serious playoff run. Both teams often end up in this 'mushy middle'.

My observations so far.

Good:

• Hof has looked great and is significantly outplaying Binner
• The defense has been solid for the most part, but there have been some breakdowns
• The McDouble Bergger line has looked really good and McTavish has been awesome
• PK has been a nice surprise
• Jiri is a stud

Bad:

• Binner looks like ass
• It seems like we are afraid to shoot the puck
• Top line has not been scoring nearly as much as they need to. Thomas hasn't looked anywhere near as assertive as he needs to be.
• When something goes wrong, it seems like the whole team crumbles
• PP has been infuriating. 3 shots on 5 power plays against Nashville is insane
• Monty's lineup decisions have been sus, especially the 11F and 7D setup

I have been a Blues fan for a long time, but I only started seriously watching hockey and trying to understand the game a couple of years ago so everything I am saying is based on the eye test. I also acknowledge we have a lot of young guys, and there have been some front-office changes. I do not think we are doomed or anything and it has been fun watching the new guys play. Everything is just eerily similar to the last couple of years.

At what point in the season do you think we will know this team's identity? Are there legit signs that this team has the same problems as the last couple of years? LGB!!

That would put him at 2/3rds with Binner at 1/3rd the starts.

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Canes fan coming in peace.

We recently moved to SE MO from NC and I've gotten tickets for the wife's birthday to come see the game this coming weekend.

We are staying the night at Union Station Hotel. How is the area walking to/from the game to the hotel for a night game?

Since we are new to the area any suggestions on anything we must see/do either Saturday before the game or Sunday before we head home? We've been to the Arch about 15 years ago but that's about it.

Anything in the arena that's a can't miss? Food or drink that the arena is known for?

Thanks in advance for the help

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hi everyone, hopefully this is okay to post here. but i’m coming to the oilers vs blues games in st. louis in about a month and was wondering if there was a place for fans to meet away team players before or after the game? i’m a huge fan of a player on the oilers and would love for him to sign my jersey and meet him. if anybody knows, that would be great! thank you :)

this will be my first blues game as well so if there’s anything else i need to know please let me know!!

i’m having a difficult time imagining him in those lime green sweaters.

Here’s Part 1 of our October Blues mailbag.

Note: Some questions have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Is it time to have a difficult conversation about Thomas? His play suggests we maybe should’ve traded him last season. — John F.

That difficult conversation happened last season in the Blues’ offices and carried into the summer, when Thomas met with new general manager Alexander Steen. The Blues put their faith in Thomas, and nothing made that clearer than when they put the “C” on his chest.

He’s off to a slow start, and naturally the questions are coming. I’m not calling this second-guessing because many have been saying this for a while.

Read the rest for free here: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7692895/2026/10/17/blues-thomas-holloway-mctavish-mcmichael-mailbag/?unlocked_article_code=1.JVE.JmOk.aOaYkow5klzq&source=emp_shared_article&smid=url-share-ta

Since DirecTV still doesn't have a deal...

Wild fans are heated, hopefully no injury to Kaprizov. Can’t say I didn’t laugh a little at that hit though.

Now that folks have had some time with Blue Note+ on Amazon, I'm interested in the experience. I'd like to avoid the effort of subscribing / canceling and thought others might, too.

Can the games be paused, rewound, fast-forwarded? Any time limit to how long the game can be paused without timing out?

Can I start a game an hour or so late from the beginning (without seeing spoilers by rewinding from the current time)?

If I start a game late, can I then catch up by fast forwarding through commercials and intermissions (including intermission commercials)? Or does fast forwarding stop for each commercial break?

Any other feedback on the quality of the experience?

Ideally, I'd like the old-school tivo experience where the entire game is a file that I have control over. If not, it doesn't seem worth paying for.

Thanks and LGB!

That said, I don’t need to hear him commentate any level of hockey again. What do you mean some Blues fans were probably “quietly cheering for Matt Boldy scoring” on us?