EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — As the Blues have pushed their way back into playoff contention in the Western Conference, the goal-scoring has garnered much of the attention, as ӣƵ has averaged more than four goals per game since the 4 Nations break.
But what really has the Blues soaring recently is their defensive play, which has them ranked towards the top of the league in a variety of different categories.
“Everybody is more committed to the habits that we need to check really well,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said after Tuesday afternoon’s practice at the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo. “And then we’re spending more time in the o-zone, so that really helps your defensive game.”
Since the break, and according to Natural Stat Trick, the Blues rank first in the NHL in high-danger chances and expected goals allowed per 60 minutes of 5 on 5. They’re also third in scoring chances, fourth in shot attempts, sixth in shots on goal and ninth in goals allowed.
Even dating back to when Montgomery was hired on Nov. 24, the Blues have been the best team in the NHL at limiting high-danger chances, and the third-best at capping expected goals.
Blues defensive metrics in 2024-25
| Defensive ranks per 60 minutes at 5v5 | Under Drew Bannister | Under Jim Montgomery | Since 4 Nations break |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shot attempts | 19th | 7th | 4th |
| Shots on goal | 22nd | 16th | 6th |
| Scoring chances | 24th | 6th | 3rd |
| High-danger chances | 18th | 1st | 1st |
| Expected goals | 20th | 3rd | 1st |
| Goals | 27th | 4th | 9th |
Defenseman Justin Faulk said that it begins up ice with the Blues’ forecheck, both in the offensive and neutral zones: “If you start with that pressure right away, it’s easy and you can keep going and keep them to the outside a little more.”
“We’re already up in their face at the red line, so then they’re chipping in behind, or they’re dumping and not entering with possession,” Faulk continued. “When you do that, you’re got to be able to break pucks out and we’ve been pretty consistent with that. We’re all pretty much on the same page with how we want to break pucks out.”
The improved defensive numbers are dramatically different than they were under previous coach Drew Bannister. In the 76 games that Bannister coached the Blues both last season and this fall, ӣƵ ranked 27th in expected goals and 28th in high-danger chances allowed per 60 minutes of 5 on 5. It was also a bottom-10 team in allowing both shot attempts and shots on goal.
The Blues run a zone defense under Montgomery, which is the same structure they ran under Bannister, and even switched to it in training camp of 2023 under Craig Berube.
“The base of it is the same, but it’s just the fine-tuning and then guys getting more comfortable with it,” Faulk said. “There’s a big responsibility on our centers, they’ve got to skate a lot and be aware. When pucks are changing sides, they’ve got to be patient in the middle.
“It’s a credit to the centers when we’re playing good defensively, too, because it’s a tough ask for them. As D, we’ve just got to protect the net. It’s not too different. We’ve just probably added a little bit more to it and got more detailed.”
Montgomery has had defensive success at both his previous stops in Dallas and Boston immediately. In 2018-19, the Stars ranked third in goals allowed at 5 on 5; in 2022-23, the Bruins were first. But Montgomery said his philosophy has changed through the years.
“I was more man on man in Dallas,” Montgomery said. “Having gone to Boston and seeing the kind of zone defense that Claude Julien invented, I’ve seen the benefits of that, and how it’s less taxing on your players. You also protect the slot better.”
Julien, of course, is now an assistant coach with the Blues. He was hired over the summer by Bannister to provide experience to a relatively young coaching staff, and help shore up the Blues’ defense. Montgomery inherited Bannister’s staff, but had a previous relationship with Julien.
“I knew Claude a little bit having talked to him on the phone maybe a handful of times, in person a handful of times,” Montgomery said. “A gentleman, very intelligent mind for the game, a really good bench manager. I lean on him for d-zone coverage, I lean on him for tracking and I lean on him for bench management. Him and (associate coach Steve Ott) really help me there.”
Montgomery said that teams have to “execute your system,” regardless of whether that’s zone, man to man or a hybrid. As for the details with the Blues since the break? “They’re there right now,” Montgomery said.
“Your wingers, they’re either running straight lines and holding the dotline, or they’re crashing down on the wall,” Montgomery said. “The timing of it, and your sticks, those are things for wingers. Your layers low, it’s about taking away time and space, it doesn’t matter the d-zone (coverage). But in a zone, it really matters where you hand off the players. You don’t stay man on man, you return to your area. We talk a lot about those handoffs.”
Faulk also mentioned how quickly the Blues like to get numbers into the corners.
“When we can get a guy in the corner, we like to outnumber him right away,” Faulk said. “If you get pressure on a guy, get him to turn, come back and if we can two on him right away, that’s huge and create a turnover and then guys are ready (to break out).”
• The Blues did not have any lineup changes during practice on Tuesday.
