Blues Triumph Over Senators in Thrilling Comeback
In a thrilling showdown at Enterprise Center, the St. Louis Blues turned a challenging game around in the third period, culminating in a 4-3 victory over the visiting Ottawa Senators. The match exemplified the urgency and desperation felt by the Blues, who found themselves trailing 2-1 before rallying to score three goals in the final 20 minutes. This spirited comeback was spearheaded by Matthew Kessel, who netted the decisive goal, securing a crucial win for a team looking to regain its competitive edge at 8-10-7 for the season.
Struggles and Comeback
Up until Friday night, the Blues had struggled significantly when entering the last period behind, holding a record of 0 wins, 8 losses, and 1 overtime loss in such scenarios. In contrast, the Senators boasted a formidable record of 7 victories, 1 defeat, and 1 overtime loss when leading after two periods, making the Blues’ task look daunting. However, buoyed by late contributions from Kessel, Jordan Kyrou, and Pavel Buchnevich, as well as a goal from Oskar Sundqvist and a solid performance from goalie Jordan Binnington—who achieved 25 saves—St. Louis managed to flip the narrative in the tense final moments.
Game Highlights
The game itself started slowly, with fans in attendance likely feeling a growing sense of frustration. By the end of the second period, after the Senators had surged ahead with a goal from Fabian Zetterlund, the outlook for St. Louis seemed bleak. Yet, as urgency coursed through the players, Kyrou brought the crowd to its feet early in the third with a slick backhand shot assisted by Jake Neighbours, leveling the score at two goals apiece.
“It was just great patience by (Neighbours),”
Kyrou noted, emphasizing the significance of teamwork.
Buchnevich, who had not scored an even-strength goal in 17 games, would later give the Blues a critical lead with a one-timer following a passing play with Brayden Schenn—an act celebrated by exuberant chants from the crowd.
“Every goal feels good, especially now, it’s hard to score a goal,”
Buchnevich declared, relief evident in his remarks post-game.
Even with the Senators pushing back to equalize at 3-3 thanks to a misplay by Colton Parayko, the Blues responded quickly. Kessel’s composed finish from close range restored St. Louis’ lead and a commitment to urgency resonated throughout the remaining game.
“We showed the most desperation of the year so far,”
stated head coach Jim Montgomery, acknowledging the enthusiastic response from the crowd as a catalyst for the players’ efforts.
Contributions from the Fourth Line
The fourth line, known for its grit and energy, also contributed significantly to the turning point of the match. Sundqvist’s opening goal had set the tone early, allowing his teammates to build on that groundwork going forward. Reflecting on Sundqvist’s role, he exclaimed humorously,
“I can’t score when I’m in front of the goal, so I might as well try from behind the goal, I guess.”
The line’s strategic forechecking created crucial plays that kept the team pressing.
Serendipitously, Buchnevich attributed his scoring breakthrough to having Sundqvist drive him to the game, a jovial exchange between them suggesting that sometimes fortuitous circumstances can lead to significant results. Following a lackluster season start, this victory could serve as a momentum shift for the Blues as they prepare for upcoming games. Montgomery expressed the need to replicate the desperation demonstrated on Friday night, signaling the beginning of a crucial period for the team as they strive for consistency and success in the league’s competitive East Division.
Conclusion
This win stands as a reminder of the potential for turnaround that exists when urgency overtakes hesitation, and what an electric atmosphere created by dedicated fans can inspire in a team desperately looking for direction.
