Blues forward, former Ranger had stern comments following loss on Islanders on Saturday prior to coaching change; thrived under Jim Montgomery when he was assistant in 2021-22
Well, the spotlight is back on Pavel Buchnevich.
It's time to start putting up, and that's why he's the St. Louis Blues player to watch Monday night against his former New York Rangers.
Buchnevich had some rather poignant comments following a 3-1 loss against the New York Islanders on Saturday, citing a lack of preparation on offense by the Blues (9-12-1) in general.
They are 30th in the league in goals per game (3.26) and scored one or fewer goals in a game for the seventh time in 22 games.
Jim Montgomery begins his Blues coaching tenure tonight, and Buchnevich thrived under the 55-year-old when he was a Blues assistant from 2020-22. Buchnevich's first season was 2021-22 season in St. Louis and he put up career highs in goals (30), assists (46), points (76) and plus-minus (plus-29).
Buchnevich, who will play on the top line with Robert Thomas and Jake Neighbours, has two assists the past five games and just two goals the past 19. If anyone can help him get going, he hopes it's a coach he thrived with.
Buchnevich should also benefit from facing the team that traded him to St. Louis in 2021; he has two goals and two assists in five career games against New York.
