Blues Ready to Turn the Page as the Regular Season Begins
The St. Louis Blues are ready to turn the page after a difficult preseason. St. Louis finished 1-3 in four games against Central Division opponents, losing both meetings with the Dallas Stars 2-1 and splitting a home-and-home series with the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blues earned a 1-0 win at Enterprise Center before falling 3-2 in Chicago.
It wasn’t the preseason fans hoped for, but those results won’t carry into the standings. Now, the games count, and the Blues have a fresh opportunity to show what this team can do.
A Challenging Start on the Road
The 2026-27 NHL regular season expands to 84 games, giving the Blues a long road ahead. Their first test comes quickly: three road games against division rivals, including a back-to-back to open the season.
St. Louis begins Friday, October 2, against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center, with puck drop scheduled for 8 p.m. Central. After two close preseason losses to Dallas, the Blues will need to generate more offense, limit mistakes and take advantage of their scoring chances.
The next night, the Blues travel to Denver to face the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. That October 3 matchup also begins at 8 p.m. Central. Playing two games in two nights while traveling will test the team’s energy, discipline and goaltending early.
The road trip concludes Tuesday, October 6, against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central. After splitting their preseason meetings, the rivals meet again with regular-season points on the line.
Back Home at Enterprise Center
The Blues return to St. Louis for their home opener Thursday, October 8, against the San Jose Sharks. The game begins at 7 p.m. Central at Enterprise Center.
After three games away, playing in front of their own fans should provide a welcome boost. Hopefully, the Blues will arrive home with points in the standings and momentum to build upon.
What Needs to Improve?
Offensive production is an early concern. St. Louis scored just five goals across its four preseason games. While preseason lineups don’t always reflect the team that will take the ice during the regular season, the Blues will need more consistent scoring.
New forwards Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael bring additional offensive options. McTavish recorded 41 points with Anaheim last season, while McMichael finished with 46 points for Washington. Their contributions could help the Blues turn more opportunities into goals.
Consistency in net will also be important. Joel Hofer is coming off a strong season, while Jordan Binnington will look to improve on a more difficult year. The Blues need dependable goaltending as they work through a demanding schedule.
Special teams are another area to watch. St. Louis ranked 26th on the power play and 25th on the penalty kill last season. Converting more power-play chances and keeping opponents from capitalizing on penalties could make a meaningful difference in close games.
A Fresh Start
The opening road trip won’t be easy, but it offers an immediate opportunity to compete against familiar division opponents. Earning points early would give the Blues something to build on as they return home.
There will be plenty of ups and downs over an 84-game season. For now, I’m ready to see how this team responds when the results matter. The preseason is behind them, and a new chapter begins in Dallas.
Let’s get the regular season started. Let’s go Blues!