The St. Louis Blues entered the 82nd game of the season against the Utah Hockey Club with everything on the line. If you win in regulation, you're a playoff team. Lose, or go to overtime, and you'd have to depend on results elsewhere.
So, the big question was whether we'd get the Blues that won 12 in a row or the one that had just lost three in a row. We started getting answers pretty early.
St. Louis played well from the start, but they weren't rewarded immediately. The hope was that they would drop the hammer in the first couple of minutes, but it took a bit longer than that.
The Blues would get on the board first, though, which is always key. Jimmy Snuggerud was sprung on a breakaway and got stoned, but Brayden Schenn knocked home the rebound to make it 1-0 a little over eight minutes in.
St. Louis felt more relaxed after that. About three minutes later, the Blues strung some great passes together, and Jake Neighbours found Pavel Buchnevich for the back-door one-timer to make it 2-0.
A little over three minutes after that, it was 3-0. This time, Snuggerud would not be denied as he was the one to knock in a rebound, getting his first NHL goal on the power play.
St. Louis would break the three-minute tradition, getting their fourth goal a little over four minutes after. The power play continued to click as Zach Bolduc snapped home a one-timer from the left circle in the final minute of the first period. The Blues went into the break with it 4-1.
The second period was a little more nervous. Utah didn't purposely take their foot off the gas, but they had a push, and St. Louis didn't do themselves any favors.
In a 10-minute span, St. Louis took three penalties. Utah scored pretty quickly on the first power play, as Clayton Keller continued to own his boyhood team, making it 4-1 5:40 into the middle frame.
St. Louis needed some blocked shots and a couple of big Jordan Binnington saves to preserve the lead, but they got the job done essentially. Despite some moments here or there, it remained 4-1 going into the third.
Despite a three-goal lead, the game still felt in the balance. Utah had some early looks, but Binnington made another save to keep the cushion, which was huge because a two-goal lead is barely anything these days.
The third period would belong to Jordan Kyrou as he sealed the Blues playoff fate. He gave them some extra insurance with a power-play goal.
Kyrou finished a tic-tac-toe play. Oskar Sundqvist found Schenn from the goal line. The captain then fed Kyrou for the one-timer, and it was 5-1 seven minutes in.
Then Kyrou put the icing on the cake with about two and a half left. Kyrou's 36th of the season made it 6-1 and that would be the final as the Blues clinched a playoff berth.
Pro: Power play
The Blues power play has been maddening this season. They've been downright awful at times, but they also gave you some hope here or there, which was head-scratching.
However, in the season's biggest game, the power play came up big when they needed it. You'd like to really punish a team that gives six power plays, but you can't argue with three goals overall.
St. Louis didn't waste a ton of time either. One of the goals came with about 40 seconds left, but it was a lot of clean, crisp passes early on in the power plays that set things up, and quality goals that finished it.
Even the Snuggerud goal, while slightly fortunate, was due to hard work.
Con: Penalties
This was one of those rare games where you couldn't argue with the refs' calls. It was just disappointing to see such a pivotal game being played with so many special teams.
As mentioned, Utah gave the Blues six power plays, including a five-on-three. Meanwhile, the Blues gave Utah four power plays.
In total, four goals were scored on 10 power plays. In total, 12 penalties were handed out.
In the first period, Utah took three penalties in under four minutes. As mentioned, the Blues took three penalties in 10 minutes in the second period.
Obviously, it didn't throw the Blues off their game, and they took advantage. You'd just like to see more even-strength play instead of a constant stream to the box.
Pro: Snuggybear
Like Neighbours before him, Jimmy Snuggerud is looking like a player who just gets it. Snuggerud's ceiling might be higher than Neighbours, but what's impressive is their hockey IQ and the ability to do those little things so early in their career.
Snuggerud is already racking up points in his first handful of NHL games. He's been an assist machine and picked up another one, although it was on a rebound he hoped would score on his initial shot.
Nevertheles, he did get his first NHL goal and it was proof that he understands where to be. So many young players just peel off and steer away from contact. Snuggerud planted himself at the edge of the crease and got his reward.
His passing is close to, if not already, elite. He also makes smart plays, getting pucks deep and making simple plays instead of forcing for that pretty look.
There will certainly be regression when other teams figure him out, but it's an exciting start.
Con: Thomas injury?
Robert Thomas left the game in the third period with an apparent injury. He was battling on a faceoff and his opponent's stick butt just raked across the back of his knee.
It definitely didn't look like it would be comfortable, but also didn't look like it would actually cause anything that would keep him out. However, not only did he miss his next shift, but he also sat out the rest of the third period.
Jim Montgomery told Jeremy Rutherford and other media that it was simply precautionary. However, we'll hold our breath until we see him suit up for the next game or practice.
Monty says Thomas taken out for precautionary reasons, should be fine. #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) April 16, 2025
Overview:
The Blues got exactly what they needed in this game. They came to play right away, their big names were their best players, they got good goaltending and there was no letdown.
Scoring first was huge. The building was energized, but if Utah got the first, you probably could have heard a pin drop.
The Blues big guns were their best guys. Two goals for Kyrou is what you want.
Schenn, Bolduc and Snuggerud had a goal and an assist. Buchnevich had a goal and three points. Whether veteran or rookie, those are all guys the Blues will lean on now and in the future.
Binnington was not under siege in this game, but he came up big when called upon. He snuffed out any hope Utah had.
St. Louis treated this like a playoff game, which it essentially was. The Blues won the faceoff battle, had 21 blocked shots, and got things done on special teams. They did get outhit, but the Blues were still involved physically, even if it was more just scrums sticking up for their teammates.
Given results elsewhere, it will be St. Louis against Winnipeg in the first round. I know many were hoping Minnesota would lose and the Blues would face Vegas, but at least they got in.
Personally, I think Winnipeg is more likely to buckle under the pressure than Vegas might be, but time will tell. For now, until the 19th or 20th, it was nice just to be back in the playoffs. Now, we can look forward to upset stomachs and raised aggravation, but it's worth it.