Preseason Debut: Blues vs. Stars
The St. Louis Blues faced off against the Dallas Stars in their preseason debut on Saturday, ending in a tight 2-1 shootout defeat at the American Airlines Center. The match’s outcome hinged on a shootout where the Blues were unable to convert on any of their three opportunities, with notable players Dalibor Dvorsky, Justin Carbonneau, and Dylan Holloway all failing to score. Meanwhile, Sam Steel of the Stars netted the decisive goal in the shootout, marking a tough start for the Blues in the exhibition season.
Goaltending Highlights
Reviewing the game, it’s clear that goalie Jordan Binnington showcased impressive skills from the get-go. Displaying what appears to be mid-season readiness, he made a standout save on Steel in the first period, transitioning sharply from right to left to thwart a backdoor play. Binnington’s only lapse came when Mavrik Bourque scored in the second period following a rebound from a slap shot. Overall, he faced 20 shots over the first two periods, ending his night with 19 saves, while his puck-handling showed promise, aiding in smooth transitions to the defensemen.
Colten Ellis took over goaltending duties in the final period and made a remarkable save on Adam Hryckowian late in the game, emphasizing the depth of the Blues’ goaltending roster.
Offensive Efforts
Among the offensive attempts, Carbonneau’s power-play goal stood out, scoring in the second period after a quick pass combination with Logan Mailloux and Aleksanteri Kaskimaki. The 2025 first-round pick impressed not only with his goal-scoring ability but also with his overall play, showing potential to grow into a key player as he develops.
Nathan Walker and Alexey Toropchenko, both integral to the Blues’ fourth line, demonstrated their tenacity and skill. Walker, recently signed to a two-year extension, delivered both offensive excitement and physicality, even engaging in a fight early in the game. Their line exhibited solid playmaking and defensive skills, despite Kaskimaki making a misstep in overtime that set up an unnecessary penalty.
Defensive Contributions
On defense, Mailloux’s ability to shoot accurately from the point was noteworthy during the game, contributing to offensive opportunities despite not recording any shots on goal. His defensive prowess shone through in a crucial moment during a penalty kill in overtime, illustrating the confidence the coaching staff has in him.
Returning from injury, Dylan Holloway logged significant ice time and made an effort to reclaim his role effectively, ending with one shot and leading forwards in time on ice. Philip Broberg also stood out with a commanding performance, leading the team with four shots on goal and pairing effectively with Mailloux.
Conclusion
Overall, the youthful roster demonstrated glimpses of skill, yet challenges were apparent, especially in puck management and faceoff struggles, which allowed the Stars to outshoot the Blues 34 to 15. For the coaching staff, this game will serve as an educational platform as they refine strategies and foster development in their younger players.
