Blues Secure Victory with Hofer’s Shutout
In a solid performance, Joel Hofer recorded his fifth shutout of the season, stopping 22 shots as the St. Louis Blues cruised to a 4-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night in Anaheim, California. This win marked a successful end to their four-game road trip, with St. Louis securing five victories in their last six matches since returning from the Olympic break.
Impressive Debut for Drouin
The game was highlighted by Jonathan Drouin’s impressive debut for the Blues after being acquired from the Islanders on Friday, following the trade that sent team captain Brayden Schenn to New York. Drouin made his presence felt, scoring on a power play in the second period with a hard slap shot that beat Ducks’ goaltender Ville Husso with 9:53 remaining in the frame. He contributed to a second period where the Blues netted three goals.
Key Moments of the Match
Jordan Kyrou set the tone early, scoring the first goal just 4:22 into the match during a swift 3-on-1 break, firing a shot that found the far post. Shortly after assisting Drouin’s goal, Jimmy Snuggerud added to the score, finding the net with a one-time shot at the 7:49 mark of the second period, further extending the Blues’ lead.
Despite possessing a significant power play opportunity early in the third period after Ross Johnston’s major penalty for boarding, St. Louis could not capitalize. Anaheim challenged an apparent goal by Snuggerud for offsides, which overturned the score. However, Pius Suter later scored into an empty net with 4:02 left in the match to seal the victory for the Blues.
Ducks’ Struggles and Upcoming Matches
Meanwhile, the Ducks wrapped up a nine-game homestand, ending with a split—having won five of their first matches before losing four of the last ones. Anaheim struggled on special teams, finishing 0 for 6 on power plays against St. Louis. Notably, John Carlson, the defenseman acquired from Washington, was absent for a fifth consecutive game due to a lower-body injury, while Ducks center Mikael Granlund returned after missing six games due to an upper-body injury from the Olympic bronze-medal match.
Looking ahead, the Blues are set to host the New York Islanders on Tuesday night, while the Ducks will travel to Winnipeg for their next matchup.
