3 Takeaways From Blues’ 5-3 Comeback Win Over Blue Jackets

The St. Louis Blues battled back from an early two-goal deficit to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jimmy Snuggerud led the way with two goals in the second period, while Jake Neighbours added a goal to help the Blues take a 3-2 lead. Jonatan Berggren put St. Louis ahead in the third period before Pavel Buchnevich sealed the win with an empty-net goal. The comeback snapped the Blues’ two-game losing streak and gave their offense a much-needed boost.

Blues Need to Avoid Slow Starts

The Blues made life difficult for themselves by allowing Columbus to build a two-goal lead in the first period. St. Louis showed some early energy and generated a few quality chances, but it managed just four shots on goal while allowing 10. The lack of offensive production was an issue, but the defensive mistakes were even more concerning.

Sean Monahan opened the scoring after Robert Thomas lost a faceoff in the defensive zone. The puck took an unfortunate bounce off the side of the net and landed in front of Monahan, who scored in his 900th NHL game. The bounce was difficult to account for, but the sequence showed how quickly a routine defensive-zone situation can turn into a scoring opportunity for the opposition.

Kent Johnson doubled the lead with 12 seconds remaining in the period, picking the top-left corner past Jordan Binnington. Johnson deserves credit for an excellent shot, but the Blues also failed to manage the puck and clear their zone with the period nearly over. Those mistakes are particularly costly late in periods, when a team should be focused on getting to the intermission without giving up another goal.

The Blues also struggled to win puck battles in their own zone, and another turnover nearly allowed Monahan to score his second goal of the game. While the team eventually found its offense, these issues cannot be overlooked simply because it managed to come back.

There were some positives on the defensive side, particularly on the penalty kill. St. Louis continued to pressure opposing players aggressively while shorthanded, helping keep Columbus off the scoresheet on the power play. The challenge now is bringing that same urgency to five-on-five play and doing a better job of protecting the puck.

Ross Johnston Lights a Fire With Fight

After a sluggish first period, the Blues needed something to get the team going. Ross Johnston provided that spark early in the second, dropping the gloves with Mathieu Olivier in a solid fight that brought some much-needed energy to the ice. The fight lasted over a minute, with both players landing multiple rights. The Blues responded with their strongest period of the game, scoring three unanswered goals to erase a two-goal deficit and take the lead.

Everybody knew when the Blues signed Johnston, he was going to fill the enforcer role. He played that role perfectly and received third star of the game.

First Line Finally Gets Things Going When Needed Most

The Blues’ top line has struggled to generate offense early in the season, making its second-period performance an important development. Dylan Holloway, Thomas and Snuggerud helped turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead, with Snuggerud scoring twice and Holloway recording three assists in the period.

The production was especially encouraging because the line began creating chances but had not consistently turned those opportunities into goals. At this stage of the season, generating chances is only part of the equation. The Blues need their best offensive players to finish those opportunities, particularly when the team is trying to establish consistency.

Neighbours helped spark the comeback by battling through traffic and winning a rebound in front of the net after a power play expired. He buried the loose puck for his first goal of the season, showing the determination around the crease that the Blues needed. Holloway picked up the primary assist for his first point of the season.

Snuggerud then tied the game by finishing a beautiful setup from Philip Broberg, who drove into the offensive zone and found the rookie waiting at the backdoor. Holloway earned a secondary assist before Snuggerud struck again, firing a shot from the right circle past the goaltender to give St. Louis the lead. Holloway and Thomas picked up the assists on that goal.

Holloway’s three-assist period was a promising sign. After missing time with an injury last season, he had already demonstrated his ability to produce at a high level. Getting him involved alongside Thomas and Snuggerud could help the Blues establish a more dangerous top line.

The team also outshot Columbus 12-3 in the second period, a significant turnaround after its slow start. The line’s performance does not guarantee that the production will continue, but it gives St. Louis something to build on. If these forwards can consistently convert their chances, the Blues will be a more difficult team to defend.

Next Up

The Blues improve to 2-2-1, snapping their two-game losing streak and getting back in the win column in front of their home fans. St. Louis will now hit the road to face the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 13.