The St. Louis baseball legend Rogers Hornsby as soon as famously quipped: “Folks ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll inform you what I do. I stare out the window and watch for spring.”
The identical might be mentioned of summer time for hockey followers. Whereas summer time has its barbecues, days on the lake, and pool events, hardcore hockey fanatics begin to stir loopy by the center of July and can’t wait till the beginning of the subsequent season. And with the 2023-24 season a bitter disappointment for many St. Louis Blues, the eager for a contemporary begin is very palpable.
The season grew to become a bit extra tangible when the NHL and the Blues launched their 2024-25 schedule. There are some apparent highlights to think about: the house opener on Oct. 15, the season opener on Oct. 8, and, in fact, the Winter Basic on Dec. 31 (which we’ll discuss in a bit). On this article, we’ll check out 5 of the video games Blues must be most anxious to circle on their season schedule.
Oct. 15: Vs. Minnesota Wild
The house opener is at all times a giant evening. However a house opener in opposition to one among your prime divisional rivals takes the cake! The Blues and the Minnesota Wild each missed out on the postseason in 2023-24, and neither workforce might be keen to take action once more. So they’ll each look to make a press release early on the Enterprise Middle on Oct. 15.
This may also be one of many final alternatives for St. Louis followers to see legendary goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury in motion. The 39-year-old first-overall decide from 2003 has acknowledged his intention to retire after the 2024-25 season. And the Wild solely play in St. Louis on Nov. 19 after the house opener. With Fleury largely relegated to backup obligation behind Filip Gustavsson, if he begins both recreation in St. Louis, it can possible be his final begin there. The Blues are a workforce he has not fared significantly properly in opposition to in his illustrious profession, as he has an 11-13-4 document with a .909 save proportion (SV%) and a 2.83 goals-against common (GAA). If he will get the nod, the Blues will look to take benefit in what might be his farewell to the Gateway Metropolis.
Dec. 20: Vs. Florida Panthers
When the defending Stanley Cup Champions come to city, it’s at all times a giant matchup. When their star participant, Matthew Tkachuk, is a hometown hero who introduced the Cup round your metropolis over the summer time, it takes issues up a notch. Blues followers love Tkachuk and have at all times hoped that he’ll at some point put on a Blue Observe, even when it now appears more likely to be in the direction of the top of his profession. They are going to be keen to provide him a heat welcome again to city.
Blues followers also needs to get able to welcome again Niko Mikkola, a former Blue who additionally gained the Cup with the Florida Panthers final season. Overshadowed by the legacies of Tkachuk and Vladimir Tarasenko on this metropolis, Blues followers shouldn’t overlook the impression Mikkola had on the workforce whereas he was in St. Louis. After all, even when Tkachuk and Mikkola get a heat welcome again earlier than the sport, these pleasantries will finish when the puck drops. Each workforce desires to beat the defending champions, and the Blues might be no exception come Dec. 20.
Dec. 31: At Chicago Blackhawks (Winter Basic at Wrigley Subject)
The Winter Basic isn’t solely a must-watch recreation for the Blues, it’s probably the most must-see video games of the NHL season. The Blues might be making their third look in eight seasons, tying their opponent, the Chicago Blackhwaks, for probably the most appearances in that stretch. This would be the Blues’ first recreation of the season in opposition to their archrival, and their solely journey to the Windy Metropolis all season. It can even be their newest alternative to see budding NHL famous person Connor Bedard in motion.
Occuring on New 12 months’s Eve this season, the 2025 Winter Basic would be the reverse fixture of the 2017 Winter Basic at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. At the moment, the Blues’ new future normal supervisor, Alex Steen, was nonetheless on the lively roster (scoring the ultimate purpose in a 4-1 victory), Ken Hitchcock was the Blues’ head coach, that they had by no means gained a Stanley Cup, and Bedard was solely 11 years previous. So much has modified during the last eight years, however the hatred between these two groups stay. A heated rivalry in one among baseball’s oldest stadiums? This one might be can’t-miss.
Jan. 18: At Utah Hockey Membership
The Blues have a brand new opponent of their division, type of. the Arizona Coyotes aren’t any extra, they usually have change into the Utah Hockey Membership — at the least for this season. On Jan. 18, 2025, the Blues will play in Utah for the primary time. It’s powerful to know precisely what the brand new squad will appear like — they’ve actually had a busy offseason of massive strikes — however any time you play your first recreation in a brand new metropolis in opposition to a first-year franchise, it’s thrilling. Blues followers ought to look ahead to this one.
April 1: vs. Detroit Pink Wings
It’s been some time, however Blues followers of a sure age will definitely keep in mind the heated rivalry between the Blues and the Detroit Pink Wings. They may not be divisional rivals anymore, however they’re actually in comparable conditions: each groups might be hoping to make the playoffs after disappointing outcomes during the last a number of years. An early-April matchup might be crucial for both or each groups’ playoff aspirations. On prime of that, although, this recreation will mark the return of fan-favorite Vladimir Tarasenko to St. Louis as a two-time Stanley Cup Champion.
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Tarasenko is beloved on this metropolis, regardless of some tensions throughout his departure. He might be welcomed dwelling with open arms. However the competitors on the ice must be fierce. If each groups are nonetheless in a playoff place, this might be a crucial recreation to find out their fates. It might be a can’t-miss recreation late within the season.
What Are You Trying Ahead To?
Which video games did we miss that you simply’re trying ahead to? What opponents are you able to not watch for the Blues to play? Tell us within the feedback. Oct. 8 might be right here earlier than we all know it!
