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Summary:

The St. Louis Blues are facing a tough challenge as they close out 2025 against the league-leading Colorado Avalanche, who boast a near-perfect home record. Blues forward Jonatan Berggren, recently claimed off waivers, gets another chance on the top line after being a healthy scratch, with coach Jim Montgomery emphasizing the need for consistent effort and attention to detail. Defenseman Matthew Kessel also returns to the lineup. Montgomery acknowledged the skill of Colorado but also emphasized the importance of his players playing with urgency and addressing mental errors, with Jordan Binnington and Colton Parayko named to Canadian Olympics team, while Otto Stenberg looks to be replacing Suter.

News Article:

Berggren Gets Another Shot as Blues Face Daunting Avalanche

DENVER, CO – The St. Louis Blues (15-17-8) face a formidable task Wednesday night as they visit Ball Arena to take on the NHL’s top team, the Colorado Avalanche (29-2-7). The Avalanche are virtually unbeatable at home with a stunning 16-0-2 record.

Blues coach Jim Montgomery is shaking up the lineup in hopes of sparking a turnaround. Forward Jonatan Berggren, 25, claimed off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings earlier this month, will return to the top line alongside Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich. Berggren started strong with two goals and two assists in his first four games with St. Louis but was a healthy scratch in the team’s previous game against Buffalo after a perceived dip in performance.

“Kind of just reset a little bit,” Berggren said. “I played really good the first three games and then the last two was not to my standard that I want to play.”

Montgomery emphasized the importance of Berggren’s work ethic and consistent effort. “The part of the game that we need to see continue to develop is the second- and third-effort on pucks, stopping on pucks, coming up with loose puck battles to be able to sustain offense or get out of our D-zone.”

In other lineup news, defenseman Matthew Kessel will draw back into the lineup, replacing Logan Mailloux.

Facing a potent Avalanche team, Montgomery acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “There should be a lot of fear, and fear’s a good thing. Fear of playing the best team in the league.” He stressed the need for his team to play with urgency and eliminate mental mistakes.

“We haven’t had enough urgency as a group and I understand everything I’m saying points directly at me,” Montgomery stated. “I lead this team and I take full ownership of my part in us not having hit the standard that I believe we should be at.”

The Blues will rely on goaltender Jordan Binnington, recently named to the Canadian Olympic team, and Colton Parayko named to the Canadian Olympics team, to provide a strong defensive backbone against Colorado’s high-powered offense. With Pius Suter out due to injury Otto Stenberg looks to be replacing him.

The game starts at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on FDSNMW and ESPN 101.1-FM.

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