3 Takeaways From the Blues’ 4-1 Win Over the Bruins

The St. Louis Blues finally got their offense going Thursday night, ending a six-period scoring drought in a 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins. After being shut out in consecutive games, the Blues found the back of the net four times and earned an important win against one of the NHL’s top teams.

Jimmy Snuggerud ended the scoring drought with a power-play goal in the first period. Philip Broberg and Robert Thomas added goals in the second to give St. Louis some breathing room before Jake Neighbours finished the scoring in the third. Joel Hofer also delivered a strong performance in net, stopping 31 of 32 shots.

Here are three takeaways from the Blues’ win over the Bruins.

The Offense Finally Came Through

After going six periods without a goal, the Blues desperately needed an offensive breakthrough. They got it Thursday night, scoring four times against a Boston team that entered the game with a 9-3-1 record and one of the league’s most productive offenses.

The scoring drought finally ended at 15:43 of the first period. With the Blues on the power play, the faceoff was won back to Broberg. He quickly moved the puck to Snuggerud, who backed up into open space before firing a one-timer past Jeremy Swayman. The goal ended the drought at 139:38 of playing time and gave the Blues some much-needed momentum.

St. Louis carried that momentum into the second period. Broberg put the Blues ahead 2-1 at 5:17 after receiving a pass from Connor McMichael and finding space in the slot. He made no mistake, beating Swayman with a shot to give his team its first lead of the night.

Thomas extended the advantage later in the period. After a successful penalty kill, he collected a pass from Justin Barron, carried the puck into the offensive zone and fired a shot past Swayman to make it 3-1. It was an important goal for the Blues captain, who had been looking to find more production during a slow start to the season.

Neighbours added the final goal on the power play in the third period, capping a much-needed offensive performance from the Blues.

The Blues needed a response from their offense, and they got one against a strong opponent.

The Defense Held Down One of the NHL’s Best Offenses

Boston entered Thursday’s game averaging 3.77 goals per game, ranking among the NHL’s best offensive teams. The Bruins had scored 49 goals through their first 13 games, making them a difficult matchup for a Blues team that had struggled to score.

However, St. Louis did a good job limiting Boston’s opportunities throughout the night. The Bruins’ only goal came in the first period after Hofer made a costly mistake while attempting to play the puck outside his crease. He turned it over, allowing Casey Mittelstadt to get a shot toward the net that James Hagens tipped past him.

Hofer settled in after the mistake and gave the Blues exactly what they needed. He made several important saves, including a highlight-reel stop in the third period as Boston tried to build pressure.

The Blues’ defensive group also deserves credit. St. Louis kept the puck moving out of its own zone and did not allow Boston to sustain much offensive-zone pressure through the first two periods. While the Bruins generated more chances late in the game, the Blues limited the quality of those opportunities for much of the night.

Hofer finished with 31 saves on 32 shots, giving him a .969 save percentage. After the early turnover, he was a major reason the Blues were able to protect their lead and close out the win.

Philip Broberg Continues to Be a Difference-Maker

Broberg has been one of the Blues’ most important players, and Thursday was another example of what he brings to the lineup. He made an impact offensively while continuing to play a strong game defensively.

His assist on Snuggerud’s power-play goal helped end the Blues’ scoring drought. Rather than holding onto the puck after the faceoff win, Broberg quickly recognized the space available to Snuggerud and delivered the pass. It was a simple play, but one that helped get the offense moving again.

Broberg then gave the Blues the lead in the second period with a shot from the slot. He found himself in a good position after McMichael located him with a pass, and he took advantage of the opportunity.

His contributions went beyond the scoresheet. Broberg was active throughout the game, moving well across the ice and helping the Blues defensively. He continued to make plays under pressure and was one of the team’s most noticeable players at both ends of the rink.

Broberg finished the night with a goal and an assist, giving him a hand in two of the Blues’ most important goals. His performance was another reminder of how valuable he has become to this St. Louis lineup.

Next Up

The Blues will now head back on the road against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, Oct. 31.