There is just under a month until hockey season is back. Get your calendars out because this is a guide to the must-watch games on the St. Louis Blues schedule in the 2018-19 season.
Must-Watch Games of the St. Louis Blues Schedule in the 2018-19 Season
Thursday, October 4, 2018
The home opener is always an exciting game, no matter who the opponent is. However, with a central division opponent like the Winnipeg Jets, who lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Finals last season, this game is bound to renew rivalries for the battle ahead.
The Central Division is arguably the toughest division in the league. This season, the Blues have the talent to be in the top of the division. Starting out strong by beating a central division opponent would be the best start to a season.
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Some people still can’t believe that John Tavares is a Toronto Maple Leaf. See it for yourself as the Blues take on the Maple Leafs in Toronto. One of the newest additions to the Blues, Tyler Bozak, will face his former club for the first time since signing with the Blues in the offseason. Bozak spent nine seasons in Toronto and it is sure to be a heartfelt return to the place he used to call home.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
If you are a nostalgic Blues fan, this might be the Blues game for you. Both Ryan Reaves and Paul Stastny will be returning to St. Louis with something to prove.
Reaves was drafted by the Blues in 2005 and played for them until he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins before the start of the 2017-18 season. He played 58 games for Pittsburgh before being traded to the Golden Knights in the middle of the season
He was a part of the Western Conference Champion Vegas Golden Knights last season. Knowing Reaves, he will no doubt lay a hit and maybe even try to fight one of his former teammates. This is sure to be an emotional homecoming for him.
Paul Stastny spent four seasons with the Blues and amassed 175 points in 267 games. He was a key part of the Blues layoff success in 2016. He has family ties to St. Louis. His dad, Peter Stastny, and his brother, Yan Stastny, both spent time in the Blues organization. The Stastny family is loved in St. Louis. This will no doubt be an emotional return for Stastny.
David Perron will also play his former club for the first time since signing with the Blues in July.
Thursday, December 27, 2018
The Blues and the Buffalo Sabres had an interesting offseason. The Blues traded Tage Thompson, Vladimir Sobotka, Patrik Berglund, a 2019 first round draft pick and a 2021 second round draft pick for Ryan O’Reilly. While the Blues gave up a lot of players for O’Reilly, he is expected to be an excellent addition to the team, making the trade well worth it. This is the first time O’Reilly will play his former club since being traded.
Berglund spent 10 seasons with the Blues. This will be an emotional homecoming for him. Sobotka spent six seasons with the Blues and Thompson spent one season with the Blues. Berglund, Sobotka and Thompson will have a lot to prove to the Blues and O’Reilly will have a lot to prove to the Sabres. Which team won the trade? This game might give us a glimpse at the answer.
Thursday, January 3, 2019
The defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Washington Capitals, are coming to St. Louis. The Blues will face off against former Blue and fan favorite, T.J. Oshie. He will return to his first NHL home to a standing ovation and a tribute video. A lot of Blues fans have always loved him, but his popularity has increased in St. Louis after winning his first Stanley Cup, something Blues fans are still longing for.
Former linemates on the Kid Line in 2009, David Perron and Oshie will face off against each other. The Blues will also see former player Lars Eller. The Blues might even play their former goaltender, Pheonix Copley if all the stars align. While the Capitals and the Blues aren’t rivals, the two games a season they play each other are always exciting.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Former Blues goaltender and St. Louis native Ben Bishop returns to St. Louis with the Dallas Stars. If you are from St. Louis, you are probably wondering what high school he went to. The answer is Chaminade. Bishop’s time in the Blues organization was short-lived. – he only played 13 games. However, since being traded away from the organization, Bishop has made a name for himself in the NHL.
He helped the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup Final in 2015 and the Eastern Conference Final in 2016. Despite previous injuries, he is hoping to lead the Blues Central Division rival that far again. The Blues first game against the Stars this season will be a battle.
Saturday, February 23, 2018
To some, David Backes will always be a Blue. He was drafted by them and played in St. Louis for the first 10 years of his career and helped the Blues to their first Western Conference Final in 15 years in 2016. Backes also spent five of his 10 seasons in St. Louis as the captain.
He has spent the last two seasons with the Boston Bruins. This is David Backes’ homecoming. He is still beloved in this city and he will no doubt return home to a tribute video and a standing ovation. After being the heart of the Blues organization for so long, he deserves it.
When you’re a hockey fan, every game is a must watch game. If you have to miss a game, try not to miss any of these must watch St. Louis Blues games of the 2018-19 season.
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