Blues head coach Jim Montgomery offers harsh self-critique after opening NHL Playoffs loss vs Jets

Starting the NHL Playoffs with a loss is undoubtedly something no team hopes for. That was the case for Jim Montgomery’s St. Louis Blues, who left Winnipeg empty-handed after a rather lackluster performance on the road against the Jets.

If there’s anyone within the franchise who didn’t shy away from self-criticism, it was the Blues’ head coach. Following his team’s 5-3 loss, Jim Montgomery spoke to the media, making it clear where the team’s main flaws were.

“We are going to grow and get better from this. That’s what we have to do. If we want to make it a series, we’re going to have to get better,” Montgomery said via Jeremy Rutherford. “We’re going to have to control our emotions better. We’re going to have to win more battles. I didn’t think we managed the game very well in the third period. Penalties. Puck management. A little bit of our emotions.”

He also added: “It’s a little bit of execution, and it’s a little bit of getting used to the Stanley Cup playoffs. We’ve got a fairly young team out there, a lot of guys playing in their first game in the Stanley Cup playoffs. So that’s why I know we will get better from it.”

Robert Thomas #18 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates his goal with Zack Bolduc #76 and Jimmy Snuggerud #21 to make it 1-0 against the Winnipeg Jets in the first period of Game One of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canada Life Centre on April 19, 2025 in Winnipeg, Canada.

Sundqvist also knows where the Blues need to improve

Oskar Sundqvist is one of the leaders on this team, which gives his words a certain weight when it comes to postgame reflections. After the final buzzer, Sundqvist spoke with the media and shared his thoughts on what the team needs to adjust heading into Game 2.

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“It’s another level from regular season in the playoffs,” Sundqvist said via NHL.com. “It’s a tight game. It’s two teams playing physical and playing north, so it certainly goes up and down throughout games. I think we have to be better at managing when they’re pushing forward.”

Oskar Sundqvist #70 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates his goal against the Winnipeg Jets in the first period of Game One of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canada Life Centre on April 19, 2025 in Winnipeg, Canada.

What’s next for the St. Louis Blues?

Game 2 of this first-round NHL Playoffs series is set for Monday, April 21, once again at Canada Life Centre. The Jets head into the matchup with the advantage after taking the opening game of the series.