Defensive newcomers stand out in Blues shutout of Islanders

Injuries forced the Blues to use a new defensive look Thursday and the alignment worked very well.

All three of this season's newcomers on the blue line excelled during the team's 1-0 overtime victory over the New York Islanders.

With Nick Leddy sidelined with a lower-body injury, veteran Ryan Suter moved from the third pairing into a shutdown role with Colton Parayko. Suter logged more than 25 minutes of ice time.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph stepped back into the lineup, taking Suter's usual spot next to Matthew Kessel on the third pairing.

Philip Broberg continued to excel as Justin Faulk's new partner, replacing the injured Torey Krug. He took a long outlet pass from goaltender Joel Hofer in overtime and set up Jake Neighbours' game-winning redirection goal.

Broberg has a goal and four assists in his five games. His five-game point streak is the longest for a defenseman starting his Blues career.

That is notable for a franchise that has employed elite offensive defensemen Al MacInnis, Chris Pronger, Phil Housley, Scott Stevens and Steve Duchesne, among others.

Collectively, the Blues defense pairings did enough Thursday to help Hofer earn his shutout against the Islanders.

"We knew that we had to defend hard," Suter said. "They have some good players. We stuck with it and outlasted them."

Suter, who turns 40 in September, made a seamless transition to the top pairing and took on the toughest assignments.

"It was fun," Suter said. "Obviously you don't want anybody to get hurt. (Leddy will) be back soon, hopefully, just trying to help out."

Blues coach Drew Bannister got what he expected from the Parayko-Suter pairing.

"I thought they played really well together," Bannister said. "I've said this before, (Suter) has played close to 1,500 games, as long as he has, (he) steps into that position and feels pretty comfortable. I thought he looked great out there."

Joseph got another chance to play in the same lineup with his brother Mathieu, this time at home after they enjoyed a visit from family. He responded with a stronger performance than he had during his Blues debut on the road against the Vegas Golden Knights.

"I just want to go back to my roots," P-O Joseph said. "The last game that I played I was not really myself. I just want to keep it simple at first and slowly build my game around these guys, get some chemistry with these guys, get the respect and trust from these guys when I'm ice with them."

Bannister believes Joseph took a big step in that direction. Joseph attempted six shots in his nearly 11 minutes of ice time and he put two shots on goal.

He was also credited with a hit, a blocked shot, a takeaway and no giveaways.

"Pounding pucks, I really liked his game," Bannister said. "Simple. Physical.

"Got pucks through, got pucks down low for our forwards to get back to work."

Broberg continues to make general manager Doug Armstrong look smart for poaching from the Edmonton Oilers with an free-agent offer sheet for two years with a $4,580,917 annual average value.

He has been aggressive offensively, jumping up into the play and generating scoring chances. Broberg has been a comfortable fit with Faulk through the first five games.

"Of course, you want to have a good start," Broberg said.

"The guys have helped me a lot to feel comfortable in here. It's been good. (Faulk is) obviously a very good player, a good veteran to learn from. You want to build chemistry, you want to keep building."

Blues take a breather

After putting his team through vigorous practices Monday and Wednesday ahead of home games Tuesday and Thursday, Bannister gave the players a break Friday. The practice at Enterprise Center was optional.

Leddy did not skate, but injured Blues Oskar Sundqvist (knee surgery) and Alexandre Texier (upper body) were a full go on the ice. Texier and Leddy have been listed as sidelined day-to-day while Sundqvist is also regarded as close to returning.

The Blues will host Carolina on Saturday, catching the Hurricanes coming off their game Friday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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