Blues Secure Narrow Victory Over Senators
In a tightly contested matchup, the St. Louis Blues secured a narrow victory over the Ottawa Senators, claiming a 2-1 win at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday. While the Blues did not dominate the scoreboard, the essential two points were all that mattered after a rollercoaster season start. This win also meant that the Blues completed a season sweep of the Senators, having earlier won their first encounter at home, ensuring their place as the last team to reach double-digit wins this season with a record of 10-12-7.
Hofer’s Stellar Performance
The night was marked by the stellar performance of goaltender Joel Hofer, who achieved a career-high with 41 saves, showcasing his skills in a game that saw the Senators unleash a barrage of shots. The defining moment came when Hofer thwarted a crucial 2-on-1 chance from Claude Giroux during the second period, which could have shifted the momentum if it had found the back of the net. Also noteworthy was Hofer’s nearly scoring a goal himself, demonstrating his agility and positioning despite falling under pressure.
Resilient Penalty Kill
While the Blues struggled offensively throughout the season, failing to score more than two goals in 10 of their last eleven outings, they still managed to secure their victory through a resilient penalty kill. Although the penalty kill unit has been a weak spot this season, they stepped up impressively during the game, successfully navigating through seven penalties against them, including a double-minor for Robert Thomas and two minors for Jake Neighbours. Both times, they came out unscathed, a vital contribution to maintaining their lead against the Senators.
Injury Concerns
The victory, however, came with a price as they lost forward Jordan Kyrou to a lower-body injury early in the first period after a hit, leaving him day-to-day. Coach Jim Montgomery expressed cautious optimism about Kyrou’s recovery time, estimating that he might be sidelined for about a week to ten days.
Neighbours Shines with Two Goals
Jake Neighbours was a notable player for the Blues in this game, netting both of St. Louis’s goals. His first came from being in the right place to tap in a loose puck near the crease and his second, crucially, was set up beautifully after a face-off, showing quick thinking and positioning that earned him the game-winner just moments into the third period.
Looking Ahead
Next, the Blues will take their efforts to Montreal to face the Canadiens in an eagerly anticipated match following a significant player trade earlier this season. As they push forward, the Blues hope to build on this win and curry favor with their fanbase amidst what has been a challenging season thus far.
