Preview:
The St. Louis Blues (18-17-4) rang in 2025 by dominating the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 in the Winter Classic. The Ottawa Senators (19-16-2) opened 2025 suffering a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. Oskar Sundqvist is not available for the game due to illness and Justin Faulk is out with an upper-body injury, replaced by Scott Perunovich who pairs with Tyler Tucker. Mathieu Joseph will join the lineup, centering Jake Neighbours and Zack Bolduc. Jordan Binnington is in net for his 301st career start, 2nd behind Mike Liut's 339 starts, and he is opposed by Anton Forsberg for the Senators who beat the Blues earlier in the season in an embarrassing game, 8-1.
Blues get out to the early lead…firing on all cylinders…
Blues need to score first…the Senators are 15-3-0 when scoring first. Five minutes in, and the Blues lead in shots, 3-1, with a solid start.
Brayden Schenn gets loose on a breakaway and backhands a masterful shot over the glove…his 7th of the year. Dylan Holloway assists at 7:26…1-0.
Blues to the powerplay as Senators captain Brady Tkachuk takes a crosschecking penalty at 8:05. The Blues scored 2 PP goals in the Winter Classic game…2nd time this season. No scoring on this one though with 3 shots.
The Blues are clogging up the middle well and keeping the Senators outside the Blues zone for the most part.
With 4:10 left Brandon Saad with a powerful move to steal the puck and on a breakaway got his 5th goal of the season, unassisted. A backhand shot 5-hole. 2-0 Blues! Saad’s first goal in 20 games.
The period ends with Nathan Walker providing a big check behind the boards and Ottawa takes exception and a fight ensues…the scrappy Australian, Walker holds his own and gets in several good punches against a larger Senator. The little guy with gumption delivers.
Period ends 2-0, with the Blues also leading in shots 8-6.
Period 2…Blues add another goal…
Five minutes into the period the Blues are being outshot 2-0 as the Senators are being more aggressive. Blues first shot is in the sixth minute.
Saad, with his 3rd two-goal game scoring with 5:45 left, took a pass from Pavel Buchnevich and tucked it 5-hole. Robert Thomas with the 2nd assist. 3-0 Blues on 12 shots. HATTY WATCH!!
With 33 seconds left Senators score a goal…but the Blues challenge for an offsides and it’s pretty obvious…no goal!! 3-for-3 on coaches' challenges this season!
Blues finish the period leading 3-0, and shots 14-13.
Hatty and Shut Out Watch in the 3rd!!
Blues take a penalty 1:26 into the period. The Senators ranked 9th in the league on the powerplay and the Blues have been struggling…not a good combination. Binnington with two key saves…one spectacular and a good penalty kill by the Blues.
Ten minutes left in the 3rd period…Blues playing well with the lead while the Senators are pressing. Shots 8 to 5 Blues. No odd-man rushes allowed by the Blues…so far.
5 Minutes!! Shutout watch!! Brandon Saad with 1:53 left…Throw the hats!! Saad shows his speed…skates in 2 on 1 and fires it over the glove for his 3rd career hat trick…first since 2017…a natural hat trick!! His 7th goal of the season. Colton Parayko with the only assist.
Blues win 4-0 and Binnington gets his 18th career shutout! Two games over .500…first time since October…Blues outshot the Sens 25 to 20.
Notes: Ryan Suter plays game 1484, tied for 25th all-time...Jordan Kyrou scored nine goals in December, his best career scoring month...Robert Thomas with 19 points in December...Blues are 4-1-1 in the last six games.