The St. Louis Blues, once again, were able to get on the board early against their opponent and not capitalize on a victory. With a 4-2 defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights, it was an underwhelming result despite another not-so-bad performance from those in the Blue Note.
Here are the three biggest takeaways from this loss, which is now the Blues third-straight.
Playoff hopes are fading
With a third-straight loss, all to Western Conference teams, the Blues' playoff hopes are starting to slip away. In January, with a game in hand or more against just about every other team between them and those two wildcard spots, they are behind by six points. Both Seattle and Los Angeles are at 48 points on the year, at 43 and 44 games played, respectively. The Blues just wrapped up their 46th game of the year.
These last three games have been tough ones, but they were also potential wins. Chicago is under the Blues in the standings, but blew the doors off the Blues, 7-3. Utah was a close-knit matchup, but the Blues shut them out in the prior meeting, and Vegas is the toughest matchup, though beaten prior in the season. Instead, this team is now pushed way down the standings and with less time to make up ground.
Broberg has eventful opening minute
The ink hasn't even dried for Philip Broberg, who just signed on to stay with the Blues for another six years for $48 million, and he had a crazy first minute of the game against Vegas. When Robert Thomas got on the board in the first minute of the game, Broberg contributed his 13th assist of the year. But, just twenty or so seconds later and Vegas forward Mark Stone got him with a sturdy upper-body slam against the boards.
For those wondering how bad the hit to Philip Broberg was, here it is⬇️⬇️#stlblues https://t.co/HSUdsEIw27
— Ben Gallin (@gallin_ben) January 11, 2026
This knocked Broberg out of the game after just 0:55 of ice time. Hardly a sample size to see if he responds well to a new list of expectations with a new deal. This is really the first instance of anyone on the defensive end getting hurt on the season, which is amazing to think about. All the other scratches and moves on the blueline have all been benchings, and not really due to injury.
Hopefully, Broberg is alright and gets back on the ice in their next game against Carolina on Tuesday.
Blues score their favorite number of goals, which is not nearly enough
The Blues have a fixation on scoring two goals or fewer in hockey games. This is the 14th time in their last 20 games to do so, and it is becoming a downfall for this team. The offense is not doing its part to help out the lackluster defense and struggling goaltending.
Two goals a game should be reached in the first 20 minutes of a hockey game, not after 60. The top six forwards are to blame for that, as they are not driving the bus to bring this team to a successful outcome. Thomas and Jake Neighbours might have scored both of those goals to represent the top six, but where are Jordan Kyrou, Brayden Schenn, and Jimmy Snuggerud?