ST. LOUIS — In Utah last weekend, St. Louis Blues coach Jim Montgomery benched linemates Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich. He followed that up by separating the two for the next game against the Vegas Golden Knights and the start of the teams’ rematch Thursday night.

Louis Blues) The scoring play was like so many the Blues have seen before. Pavel Buchnevich took a pass from Justin Faulk in the left faceoff circle and hammered a shot on goal. Robert Thomas swept the rebound inside the left post and past Vegas goaltender Ilya Samsonov.

The Blues' Robert Thomas speaks with the media on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, after a home loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. (Video courtesy St. Louis Blues)

Utah Hockey Club center Clayton Keller (9) shoots the puck against St. Louis Blues left wing Pavel Buchnevich (89) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

The St. Louis Blues lose 2-0 to the Dallas Stars Saturday night at Enterprise Center to fall to 11-12-1 on their own rink.

St. Louis Blues' Robert Thomas (18) is unable to score a goal past Dallas Stars' goaltender Casey DeSmith (1) during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Saturday,

St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas (18) controls the puck as Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz (24) watches during first period action on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at Enterprise Center.

Evgenii Dadonov had a goal and an assist, Casey DeSmith stopped 33 shots in his second shutout of the season and the Dallas Stars beat the St.

Home ice continues not to provide an advantage for the Blues. They lost to the Dallas Stars 2-0 Saturday night at Enterprise Center to fall to 11-12-1 on their own rink. By losing for the third time in four games overall, the Blues slipped back to 23-23-4 for the season and fell further off the pace in the Western Conference playoff chase.

Blues defenseman Philip Broberg, front, reacts to his shot bouncing off the goal post in the third period of his team's 2-0 loss to Dallas on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at Enterprise Center. Blues coach Jim Montgomery keeps seeking ways to spur stronger starts from his sputtering team.

Casey DeSmith turned aside all 33 shots he faced to help the Dallas Stars earn a 2-0 road victory over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. Evgenii Dadonov and Esa Lindell both scored for the Stars, while Jordan Binnington made 17 saves in the losing effort.