The St. Louis Blues are navigating a crucial period as 2025 comes to a close, facing a week filled with challenges and opportunities. The team's performance in the coming days could significantly influence their trajectory for the remainder of the season. Here’s a breakdown of the key storylines and schedule for the week.

Kyrou and Snuggerud Return

The Blues received a significant boost with the return of forwards Jordan Kyrou and Jimmy Snuggerud. Both players were sidelined due to injuries but have rejoined the lineup. Kyrou had been out since early December with a lower-body injury, while Snuggerud was recovering from wrist surgery. Their return is expected to inject much-needed offensive creativity into the team. In light of their return, forwards Mathieu Joseph and Robby Fabbri are expected to be sidelined.

Playoff Push

St. Louis is currently hovering around the .500 mark with a 15-16-8 record and is outside the playoff picture. Coach Jim Montgomery has acknowledged the importance of the upcoming games in determining the team's strategy for the trade deadline. A strong performance could position them as buyers, while a slide could lead to them becoming sellers.

Injury Issues Persist

Despite the return of Kyrou and Snuggerud, the Blues are still dealing with injuries. Dylan Holloway is expected to miss around six weeks with a high ankle sprain. Nick Bjugstad and Nathan Walker also remain sidelined with upper-body injuries.

Goaltending in the Spotlight

The Blues have struggled with defensive consistency, ranking near the bottom of the league in goals against. Joel Hofer has been seeing increased starts in goal. The team needs Hofer, along with key defensemen like Justin Faulk and Colton Parayko, to improve their defensive structure. There has been debate between Binnington and Hofer. Binnington's consistency has been questioned, and Hofer has been pushing for playing time due to strong performances.

This Week's Schedule

• December 29 vs Buffalo Sabres: The Blues face the Sabres at Enterprise Center.

The St. Louis Blues face a week of challenges and opportunities as they approach the new year. The return of Kyrou and Snuggerud provides a boost, but the team must address its defensive issues and navigate a tough schedule to solidify its playoff chances.