The Blues got exactly what they needed out of a tight 2-1 win over Winnipeg: a goal from a young scorer finding his rhythm, another rock-solid turn from the goalie, and a defenseman stepping into a bigger role with authority.
St. Louis opened its five-game homestand against a Central Division opponent that has been a tough matchup in recent seasons, and this one fit the pattern. The game ended with the home side on top at Enterprise Center, and there were a few clear reasons why.
Jimmy Snuggerud was first among them. The No. 21 was one of the X-factors heading into the night, and he delivered again with an inadvertent puck-off-skate goal that got the Blues moving early.
That gave him goals in back-to-back games and four in his last five. With Jordan Kyrou no longer on the roster, the Blues need someone to slide into the role of top goal-scorer, and Snuggerud looks built for it.
He has the shot and the space-finding ability to keep finishing chances, and the idea of him, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Justin Carbonneau remains a dream for now. Still, against Winnipeg, Snuggerud was right in the middle of the action.
Joel Hofer made sure the lead held. The Blues’ goalie was tested plenty and handled it, stopping 32 of 33 shots.
His numbers now sit at a 2.19 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. Hofer has been excellent this season, and this performance was another reminder of why he looks like the future in St.
Louis.
Then there was Philip Broberg, who took the first-star honors after a multi-point night capped by the game-winning goal on the power play in the third period. With an “A” on his chest, Broberg buried a one-timer that gave the Blues the edge and offered a much-needed spark to a power play that needed it. He’s making his case at the blue line, and there’s plenty to watch with Logan Mailloux eventually returning from injury, but right now Broberg is earning every bit of trust he’s getting.
In Other News...
Blues May Have A Fourth Line Fix That Comes With Risk
Early-season injuries forced the Blues to improvise on their fourth line, and the first wave of replacements did not give them much reason to feel settled. Dylan Peterson and Zach Dean were pressed into bigger roles than expected, but the results were uneven enough that St. Louis kept searching for a better answer while trying to preserve the identity that line is supposed to bring.
Now the club is leaning on a different mix, one that has more skill and a little more upside with the puck. The appeal is obvious, but so are the tradeoffs: the line still has to prove it can hold up physically and keep pace when it gets matched against tougher opposition, which is where the real test for this group will come. [Read more 🡒]
Snuggerud Is Giving The Blues A Reason To Believe Again
Jimmy Snuggerud started turning heads late last season, when Dylan Holloways injury opened a door and gave the Blues a chance to see more of the rookies offensive game. This fall, he has moved from promising piece to much bigger part of the picture, skating in a larger role and even lining up with Holloway and Robert Thomas as St. Louis looks for more punch up front.
The Blues also entered this season with a different look after moving Jordan Kyrou in the offseason, which only heightens the importance of players like Snuggerud stepping forward. He has already given them a reason to believe they can replace some of that lost scoring internally, and his early surge has made him one of the most important storylines around the team as the season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]