Blues' Road Trip Ends With Loss as Lineup, Power Play Falter
St. Louis finished its road trip with a 5-2 loss in Nashville, ending 1-2-0. Coach Jim Montgomery used 11 forwards and seven defensemen after Ross Johnston was injured, a move that disrupted defensive pairings. The Blues also struggled on the power play, while Ryan O'Reilly remained a bright spot.
St. Louis wrapped a three-game road swing at 1-2-0 after a 5-2 defeat in Nashville, though the club scored 13 goals and allowed 12 across those contests. With Ross Johnston unavailable, Jim Montgomery dressed seven defensemen and 11 forwards, inserting Theo Lindstein. That setup forced frequent pairing changes and risked chemistry, especially for young blueliners.
The power play converted once in five chances but managed only three shots, while Nashville generated eight shorthanded attempts and scored short-handed in the second. Ryan O’Reilly, 35, logged the most ice time among Nashville forwards, scored, and posted plus-3. Mason McTavish picked up an assist, pushing his point streak to six games.
The outcome may intensify fan and media scrutiny of Montgomery’s lineup choices and the power-play unit, affecting coaches, players, and supporters. Young defensemen could be particularly impacted if rotating partners disrupts their development and confidence. A weak special teams showing may also increase pressure on Vinny Prospal, hired to fix that area. Nashville fans may enjoy O’Reilly’s strong play, while St. Louis supporters could feel both frustration and nostalgia. The broader social effect is likely confined to sports discussion, team morale, and local fan engagement.