Blues’ Bannister Reflects on Loss to Capitals: One Key Takeaway and a Positive Outlook
The St. Louis Blues have found themselves at a crossroads in the 2024-25 season. Following a disheartening 8-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, frustrations are high, and the team is left to reflect on yet another setback in what has been a rollercoaster year thus far. While the final scoreline was devastating, Head Coach Drew Bannister remained positive, acknowledging the team’s struggles but emphasizing that this defeat was merely one game in the larger context of the season. Bannister’s insights on the loss and the challenges facing the team shed light on what needs to change and what positive aspects the Blues can focus on as they look to turn things around.
One of the most glaring issues for the Blues in this loss was their inability to start the game on the front foot. For the 12th time in 14 games this season, St. Louis found themselves chasing the game after conceding the first goal. And in typical fashion, they didn’t just allow the first goal—they allowed it in the opening minute. The Capitals scored just 59 seconds into the game, with a deflected shot off their own defender managing to sneak past goalie Jordan Binnington. It was a sloppy start, and for a team that’s already struggled to generate momentum this season, it was a hard pill to swallow.
As Coach Bannister reflected on the first-period misstep, he was blunt in his assessment. “We can’t keep giving teams an early advantage like that. It puts us on our heels right away,” he said. “We’re not a team that can afford to fall behind early, especially when we’re trying to find consistency in our game. We need to be sharper right from the puck drop.”
In the opening moments, the Blues’ defense looked out of sync, allowing a few too many pucks to get through to Binnington without much resistance. While the deflection for the first goal was unfortunate, the Blues have been prone to similar early mistakes throughout the season, and it was becoming a concerning trend. As Bannister pointed out, the Blues have now allowed the first goal in 12 out of 15 games. This constant uphill battle only exacerbates their other weaknesses, and by the time they’ve shaken off the early nerves, they’re often already behind the eight ball.
Despite falling behind early, the Blues did battle back in the first period. Scott Perunovich, in particular, delivered a moment of brilliance when he scored his first career NHL goal to tie the game 1-1. It was a beautiful wrister from the slot off a faceoff win, and it gave the Blues a much-needed jolt. But the joy was short-lived. The Capitals responded quickly, regaining their lead just 37 seconds after Perunovich’s goal, a sequence that demonstrated how fleeting momentum can be in the NHL. Bannister acknowledged this as well, noting that while the team’s resilience in responding was admirable, they had to find a way to seize control of the game after scoring, rather than immediately letting the opposition back in.
“I liked how we battled back after the first goal, but then we let them take that momentum right back,” Bannister noted. “It’s frustrating because we showed we could compete, but then we let up and they made us pay. We have to figure out how to close those gaps when we do make plays.”
In the second period, the Blues found themselves in another dangerous position. Washington capitalized on a turnover by Jordan Kyrou at the Blues’ blue line, leading to a quick strike from Jakob Chychrun that made it 3-1. Chychrun’s shot was one of several soft goals the Blues allowed on the night, a theme that would continue throughout the game. Although Binnington made several key saves to keep his team in the game, he was ultimately left exposed too many times. Bannister noted that while Binnington did his best to keep the team in it, there wasn’t enough support in front of him.
“We need to do a better job helping our goalies,” Bannister said. “Binner has been strong for us, but he can’t be expected to make every save when we’re leaving him out to dry. We’ve got to play better team defense, be more responsible in our own end, and give our goaltenders a chance to succeed.”
Despite some strong individual efforts, like Perunovich’s goal and a few scoring chances from key players like Kyrou and Brayden Schenn, the Blues couldn’t find their rhythm, and Washington continued to pull away. The second period ended with the Blues trailing 3-1, but it was the third period where things completely unraveled. Washington exploded for five goals in the final frame, including two power-play goals, to run away with the game. The Blues were visibly deflated, and Bannister admitted that the team’s effort had fizzled as the game wore on.
“We have to be better in the third period,” Bannister said. “We can’t let a game slip away like that. Washington is a good team, but we allowed them to take complete control in the final 20 minutes. That’s on us. We can’t afford to give up that many goals in one period, no matter who we’re playing.”
One of the primary culprits in the loss was veteran defenseman Ryan Suter. While the entire team struggled, Suter was directly responsible for three of the Capitals’ goals. The first came when he deflected a shot into his own net, giving Washington the early lead. Later, Suter took two penalties—one of which was a soft hooking call—and the Capitals capitalized on both man-advantage opportunities. Bannister was careful not to single out any one player for the loss, but he did mention that the team’s discipline and defensive coverage needed to improve.
“We have to be smarter, especially when we’re shorthanded,” Bannister said. “It’s frustrating because we know we’re capable of more, but we can’t keep making these mistakes. We have to be sharper with our sticks and play with more poise in our own end.”
On the positive side, the Blues did have some individual bright spots. Scott Perunovich’s goal was a standout moment, especially considering the challenges he’s faced with injuries and inconsistent play since joining the NHL. Perunovich had been working toward this moment for a long time, and his first career goal was a testament to his perseverance. Bannister was quick to praise the young defenseman for his effort and his growth.
“It’s great to see Scott get that goal,” Bannister said. “He’s been working hard, and it’s been a tough road for him with the injuries. But he’s been showing flashes of the talent we knew he had, and that was a great play to get on the board.”
Another player who continued to show promise was Kyrou, who assisted on Perunovich’s goal and had several good scoring chances throughout the game. While Kyrou’s defensive lapses have been a concern—such as his turnover that led to Washington’s third goal—Bannister still sees significant potential in the 22-year-old forward.
“Kyrou is still learning, but we can see the skill is there,” Bannister said. “He’s a dynamic player who can create opportunities for his teammates. He just needs to make sure he stays focused on both ends of the ice. He’s got a bright future, but he’s got to stay consistent.”
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Bannister’s overall message was one of optimism. While the Blues have had their fair share of struggles—particularly with slow starts and defensive lapses—there is still belief in the locker room that this team has the talent to turn things around. Bannister emphasized the importance of staying focused on the process, even when the results aren’t there.
“We know it’s been a rough stretch,” Bannister said. “But we have the right guys in here. We have a lot of talent, and we’re going to keep working. It’s about putting in the effort, staying together, and improving each day. This game is behind us, and we’re already looking ahead to the next one.”
The Blues will need to tighten up defensively and find a way to start games on the right foot if they want to avoid more blowout losses. With some adjustments and a renewed focus on discipline and team defense, Bannister remains confident that the Blues can turn the page and start stacking wins. But until then, they’ll have to take the lessons from this tough loss and use them as fuel to get better.
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