As the St. Louis Blues trampled the Utah Hockey Club, 6-1, soemthing miraculous happened. Yes, this team took an incredible leap forward by making it to the playoffs, solely by betting on themselves, but something even greater happened.
This franchise might have just found another x-factor, and this one is brand new. This player, who will be discussed a little down the line here, can be a difference maker in this first round playoff matchup with the Winnipeg Jets.
Jimmy Snuggerud
Jimmy Snuggerud has been a key player for the Blues in their last few games of the season. His status for the Stanley Cup Playoffs has not been confirmed yet, but it stands to reason that he would be in for the first round and beyond if necessary.
In seven games, he scored his first NHL goal in the game that mattered most and added three assists for four points. Not too shabby for a kid trying to figure out the NHL. His development has been spot-on perfect, and the Blues will revel in the success he will bring in the future.
Kid can play
It has become evident that this 20-year-old kid can play. He is quick, seemingly very confident with the puck on his stick, and has already won over the trust of head coach Jim Montgomery to get some powerplay time. Those are all signs of a player who can make a difference against the Presidents’ Trophy winners.
There is a snese that Snuggerud will be heavily relied on, pending the return of Dylan Holloway. Holloway has been out of the lineup since April 3 and is still considered "week to week". Snuggerud has stepped into his spot nicely, and should Holloway return to the top-line, the rookie could still retain his top-six minutes with Jake Neighbours going down to the third-line.
This upcoming postseason will be a very exciting one. The Blues are on borrowed time, as their prescence in the Stanley Cup Playoffs was a complete surprise and was not intended to be in the cards at the beginning stages of the 2024-25 season. Snuggerud can be an x-factor in this first-round, should he stay on with the NHL roster and not join fellow young gun, Dalibor Dvorsky, in Springfield.