(10-9-25) Wild-Blues Gameday Lineup

ST.
LOUIS – From
the moment that agonizing, excruciating loss against the Winnipeg
Jets ended their season in May, the St. Louis Blues have counted down
the days until they can begin the process of growing from such an
experience and rectifying the agony.

That
time has come with the 2025-26 season opener on Thursday when the
Blues entertain the Minnesota Wild (7 p.m.; FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM).

When
the puck drops, the Blues want to get off on the front foot and
regain the momentum they had at the end of the regular season when
they made it into the playoffs as the second wild card but lost to
the Jets in seven games, a 4-3 double overtime loss, despite leading
game
7 3-1 with two minutes remaining.

That
stench probably sits in many players’ minds, and knowing it all
gets going for real tonight makes it even more meaningful to start
off on the right foot.

“It
makes your life a lot easier when you start out good,” Blues
center Robert Thomas said.
“I think every team wants to get a good start so they don’t have
to do that on the back half. We feel like we can keep that momentum
going from last year. The majority of the team’s the same except
for a couple new pieces who are really excited. We’re really
excited to have them. We feel like we can keep that momentum going
and put ourselves in a good spot in December, January.”

Enterprise
Center will be loud. It was loud during the playoff series against
the Jets, and Blues coach Jim Montgomery said home ice dominance will
be imperative.

“We
know we love playing in front of our great fans,” he
said.
“We know it’s going to be loud here tonight. It’s our job to
make sure they stay loud.

“I
think it’s really playing on your toes and trying to get to our
identity as quick as we can. Teams like Minnesota, they got to their
identity right away. They had a great start. That’s the way you
want to start is get to your identity. Having watched a lot of games
over the last two nights, you see…