The St. Louis Blues only hit the ice twice last week, but they made those 120 minutes count-and then some.
In back-to-back matchups against the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, the Blues walked away with two statement wins, including their first overtime/shootout victory of the season. It was the kind of week that doesn’t just show up in the standings-it sends a message.
Let’s break down the three players who stood tallest in a week that could end up being a turning point in the Blues’ season.
#3 - Jimmy Snuggerud: Youth Rising
Jimmy Snuggerud is starting to look like he belongs. The rookie winger is settling into NHL life with poise and purpose, and last week, he took another step forward. On Tuesday, he potted his seventh goal of the season-and his first on the power play-showing off the kind of shot that’s made him one of the most exciting young players in the organization.
But it wasn’t just the goal. Snuggerud led the team in shots that night with five, and on Friday, he followed it up by tying for the team lead with four more.
He also logged nearly 20 minutes of ice time-second-most among Blues forwards. That’s not just a coach trusting his young player; that’s a player earning every shift.
Snuggerud is becoming the face of the Blues’ youth movement, and performances like this-against elite competition-are a glimpse into what the future might look like. Whether or not the Blues make a serious playoff push this season, Snuggerud’s development will be one of the most important storylines to watch. He’s not just holding his own-he’s starting to take over.
#2 - Nick Bjugstad: Veteran Impact
Nick Bjugstad hadn’t played since December 9, but you wouldn’t have known it by watching him last week. The veteran center jumped right back into the lineup and wasted no time making his presence felt.
On Tuesday, he opened the scoring with a short-handed goal-the eventual game-winner. On Friday, he found the back of the net again and dominated the faceoff circle, winning nearly 70% of his draws.
That’s classic Bjugstad: efficient, effective, and quietly crucial. He’s built a career on providing depth scoring and responsible two-way play, and even though injuries have limited his availability this season, his production pace is still solid-six goals in 27 games. He might not reach the 20-goal mark like he did last year, but he’s on track to finish with a respectable 13-15 if he stays healthy.
For a Blues team that’s leaned on its depth all season, Bjugstad’s return couldn’t have come at a better time. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t always show up in highlight reels but wins you games in the margins-and that’s exactly what he did last week.
#1 - Joel Hofer: The Net is His
Joel Hofer just keeps stacking impressive performances-and last week might’ve been his best yet. The 23-year-old netminder started both games and was nothing short of sensational. On Tuesday, he turned away all 33 shots he faced to earn his fourth shutout of the season, extending his team lead and moving into a tie for second in the NHL.
Then came Friday. Hofer was locked in again, stopping 34 shots and helping the Blues finally notch their first win beyond regulation. Oh, and he also happened to snap the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 11-game winning streak in the process.
It’s been a tale of two seasons for Hofer. He stumbled out of the gate, but since Thanksgiving, he’s been one of the league’s most reliable goaltenders. In his last 14 appearances, he’s posted an 8-4-0 record with a sparkling .927 save percentage and three shutouts.
At this point, there’s no question-Hofer has taken over the starting job in St. Louis.
And if trade rumors surrounding Jordan Binnington materialize, that title may soon be his outright. The Blues drafted Hofer with the future in mind, and right now, that future is arriving a little ahead of schedule.
Looking Ahead
After a light week with just two games, the Blues are about to get busy. A three-game road trip kicks things off-two in Canada, followed by a stop in Dallas.
Then it’s back to St. Louis on Saturday to open a four-game homestand.
It’s a pivotal stretch for a team that’s starting to find its rhythm. If last week was any indication, the Blues are ready to prove they belong in the playoff conversation. And with players like Snuggerud, Bjugstad, and Hofer leading the charge, they’ve got the right mix of youth, experience, and goaltending to make things interesting.
We’ll be watching closely-and we’ll be back next week to spotlight the next round of standout performances.