Why Reuniting Thomas, Snuggerud And Holloway Is A Good Idea For The Blues

Today's practice ahead of a road matchup against the New York Rangers suggests coach Jim Montgomery is returning to his trusted top line of Dylan Holloway, Robert Thomas, and Jimmy Snuggerud.

The line needed a shakeup, as their play was dwindling and they were struggling to produce offensively. The brief change helped them rediscover their rhythm, and now is a great time to reunite the trio.

Holloway leads the team in scoring with 12 points in 14 games, and Snuggerud leads the team in goals with eight. Thomas still isn't clicking at full speed, but he's posted four points in the last two games. 

As their production begins to rise, the hope is that they elevate their games further as they reunite.

It has always felt like puck luck just hadn't been on their side. According to moneypuck.com, the top line owns 55.5 percent of the expected goals at 5-on-5 in 133.2 minutes. 

Individually, naturalstattrick.com has Snuggerud at 53.5 percent of the expected goals, Holloway at 51.43 percent, and Thomas at 52.69 percent. 

Given each player’s skill level, it’s reasonable to demand more, but context matters. The top line finds a lot of their minutes against the opposition’s best players. Creating offense at 5-on-5 will always be a bit challenging, depending on the matchup, but the hope is that they find ways to convert on the power play to mask some of the dips.

That just hasn't been the case. Thomas and Snuggerud have posted just three points on the man advantage, while Holloway has mustered just two. 

The Blues currently sit in fifth place in the Central Division, but they hold the second wild-card spot. It's still early to be too critical of the top line, but one thing is certain: this team will only go as far as Thomas and the top line can carry it. 

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