Holloway-Faksa-Joseph in an intriguing line combination for the St. Blues. Louis

St. coaching staff Louis Blues will begin forming their forwards for their opener against the Seattle Kraken on October 8 soon here in training camp, and the three-year signings could create a strong, testing third line.

It’s not often that three new players on a team perform at the same level, but that’s what preseason is for, right?

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Blues head coach Drew Bannister put Dylan Holloway, Radek Faksa and Mathieu Joseph on the court during their 3-2 overtime win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night.

Holloway stole the show, scoring twice in just his second game in blue and gold. He scored his first goal in the third quarter when the team was losing 2-0.

Joseph applied the pressure with a hard shot into the net after throwing the puck to Holloway following the first St. goal. Louis in the match. Holloway cleverly threw the puck into the net, which bounced off a Blackhawks defender and into the net.

In overtime, the former Edmonton Oiler sealed the Blue’s first preseason victory with a precise wrist shot that found the bottom left corner of Petr Mrazek’s goal.

Related: Dylan Holloway saw opportunity for greater opportunities in St. Louis Blues

St. Louis didn’t have much to offer in the 40 minutes and seemed in danger of dropping to 0-4 in pre-season. However, one line stood out. Newcomers to this line were Holloway, Faksa and Mathieu Joseph.

Joseph and Holloway’s playing styles complement each other. They are both north-south speed skaters who attack in a straight line and are puck dogs on front control. There was a turnover in the second quarter where the Blackhawks were unable to move the puck past the faceoff circle due to fierce puck pursuit and frequent stops and starts by both teams.

With the puck, they can match their speed to the attack in transition or in the attacking zone, making turnaround plays to extend possession on the perimeter.

Adding 6-foot-10, 220-pound center Radek Faksa at center gives the team a reliable forward who can allow two speedsters to foreplay, allowing him to play as a tall forward in case the tables turn the other way.

All three are strong 200-foot players who can be used in defensive situations. Holloway still needs more seasoning in the role, but Faksa and Joseph have experience.

If the Blues role in the top six of the following:
Neighbors – Thomas – Kyrou
Saad/Bolduc – Buchnevich – Schenn

This would actually put the team in a good position and potentially provide a strong third line of attack consisting of Holloway, Faksa and Joseph.

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