Blues Snap Sabres’ 5-game point streak with 3-0 shutout win – The Hockey Writers NHL News Latest news, analysis and more

Summary of the game

The Blues responded by taking most of their chances, maintaining pressure in their attacking zone and taking pucks from Buffalo’s clearout attempts. Striker Alexey Toropchenko rushed a breakaway but deputy captain Mattias Samuelsson kept up with him and effectively slowed the former as he fired a shot. The Sabers responded with their own strange rush as Jack Quinn fed Josh Doan the puck, and Cam Fowler committed a hooking penalty on Doan, giving Buffalo their first power play opportunity of the night.

Eager to earn the equalizer, Buffalo fired shots from all cylinders. Josh Dunne fired a shot before Thompson pulled the puck from the high slot and hit the post. In their last-ditch effort to end the first period, defenseman Michael Kesselring made a shot from the far side of the right faceoff circle, but Hofer made the save.

Despite having fewer shots on goal in the first frame, St. Louis made it count when they got their chances. Nick Bjugstad scored a goal from the left faceoff circle off a takeaway in the neutral zone to extend the lead to 2-0 for the Blues. St. Louis got their first chance on the man advantage after Alex Tuch’s trip warranted a penalty. Buffalo’s penalty thwarted the Blues’ power play as they searched for their momentum-changing goal.

The Sabers put pressure on the St. Louis net, unleashing shot after shot, some nailing the post while others were fouled. Buffalo kept its foot on the pedal as the game changed periods, but was still unable to get the puck past the goal line. With what appeared to be the dagger, the officials overturned Jimmy Snuggerud’s goal, disallowing the kicked puck that slid past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. A tripping call on Luukkonen sent the Sabers into another penalty kill situation as they leaned on Tuch to score a shorthanded goal to get them back into the game.

Tuch jumped on a 2-on-1 breakaway opportunity, but Faulk deflected the puck while covering the passing lane. He then scored an empty-netter on the ensuing play to seal the victory for his team in a 3-0 shutout.

What’s next?

The Sabers will be on the road for a four-game stretch starting Saturday as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes. On the other hand, the Blues go home to also face the Seattle Kraken on Saturday night.