The St. Louis Blues have not made the playoffs in two seasons. The Blues have three X-factors who can help end that streak this year.
What Are X-Factors?
“X-factor” is a term that can mean different things depending on the source. While the general idea remains the same across the board, it is a good idea to start by identifying what is being considered an X-factor. For the purposes of this article, the term “X-factor” is used to describe a player who has the potential to have a strong impact but whose talent is either uncertain or not recognized. An example from this past year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs is Stuart Skinner. He had talent but the question was, can he perform at a level that will help the Edmonton Oilers advance? As we know, he did.
Three St. Louis Blues X-Factors This Season
X-Factor #1 Radek Faksa
The Blues got Faksa this summer in a trade. Faksa will likely be the team’s third-line centre this season. Faksa brings experience and veteran leadership to the locker room. As well as leadership, Faksa’s role with the team is also why he is considered to be an X-factor.
The Blues have multiple questions as to who will play on their bottom six. There is a mixture of veterans and young players who could fill the role. Faksa is the only player at the moment guaranteed to have a bottom-six role. Oskar Sundqvist is still recovering from an injury, and while he is hopeful to return to the lineup for the first game, it is not a certainty. In addition, players like Kasperi Kapanen Alexandre Texier, Mathieu Joseph, Zachary Bolduc, and Zach Dean are all options as well, but it is not clear who plays.
Regardless of who plays, the Blues will need all four lines to be productive. They cannot afford to have inconsistency on their bottom four lines. Additionally, there is more talent in the Western Conference this year. The Nashville Predators made some big splashes this off-season. Likewise, the Seattle Kraken have improved their defence.
Faksa needs to be the glue that holds the bottom-six together. This is especially true if Sundqvist misses time. Faksa has played in a Stanley Cup Final and multiple Western Conference Final series. He knows what it takes to win. Furthermore, he understands the importance of four lines being able to be rolled out with confidence. Faksa’s value to the team will not just be determined by goals and assists. It will be determined by the success of the bottom six.
X-Factor #2 Justin Faulk
Faulk has had a rough last two seasons. Two years ago, Faulk was credited with 119 goals against the Blues compared to 113 goals for. Last season, the number did improve, as Faulk was credited for 64 goals for with 63 against. However, he only played in 60 games. To help put this in perspective, in the 2021-22 season, Faulk was credited for 121 goals for and just 79 against.
The Blues need Faulk to have a more productive presence on the ice. The defensive core is going to look different for the Blues this year with Torey Krug possibly out for the season and the additions of new faces to the team. The Blues will be relying on Faulk and Colton Parayko to help lead the way for the defence. In addition, the Blues only have three right-handed defencemen on the roster as of now, Faulk, Parayko, and Matthew Kessel. The Blues do not have an alternative option if Faulk is unable to produce. If he is unable to play for any reason, the team may have to pair two left-handed shots together.
Faulk will likely play on the second defensive pairing. His partner is likely to be Nick Leddy or Ryan Suter. The Blues have plenty of experience on defence. However, they need key players to execute. The Blues success or lack of success this season may very depend on how Faulk performs.
X-Factor #3 Jake Neighbours
We have talked about expectations for Neighbours following his breakout season. However, the 2024-25 season means more for Neighbours and the Blues than just seeing if he can repeat success.
Neighbours will play somewhere on the top six. He earned the opportunity to start the season on those lines. If he performs, the Blues top-six will continue producing as they have in the past. However, if he does not, this will create multiple problems for the Blues. Should Neighbours be unable to perform, the team may have to move him to the bottom six. As a result, someone would have to move up to fill Neighbour’s spot. We have already talked about how the bottom six is not quite stable. If the Blues have to shake up the lines, it could cause problems up and down the lineup.
Think back to the 2017-18 season. The Blues have talent on their front lines, but there was a talent gap between the top and bottom lines. Due to injuries and other problems, players like Scottie Upshall and Kyle Brodziak ended up playing on the top lines at times. The lineup was never consistent and it reflected on the Blues success in the standings.
Of course, the same problem would exist if another top-six player besides Neighbours leaves the lineup. However, the remaining top-six players, Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Pavel Buchnevich, and Brandon Saad, have shown they can consistently put up 20+ goals a season. Neighbours is the only one who has not done so consistently. As a result, he is a major X-factor for the Blues this season.
Other X-Factors
Other players can be considered X-factors this season. Quite a few players can have an argument made that they are another X-factor. However, these three are the X-factors who have the most riding on their success. If Faksa, cannot perform, the entire bottom six could struggle. If Faulk struggles, the Blues have a huge gap in their middle defensive pair. Likewise, if Neighbours cannot perform, the Blues have to shuffle their lines around hoping something clicks.
The Blues may have an opening to sneak into the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year. If the Blues do, expect to see the three X-factors playing a crucial role.
Main Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
