Joel Hofer. Honestly, that’s the story. If you’re looking for the St. Louis Blues hockey score last night, you’ll see a 3-2 shootout victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the box score doesn't show the literal wall Hofer built in front of the net at Enterprise Center. He stopped 34 shots. Then he went a perfect three-for-three in the shootout.
The Blues were 0-8 after regulation this season. Eight times they went to overtime or a shootout, and eight times they walked away with that "loser point" and a bad taste in their mouths. That streak is finally dead.
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It felt like another one of those nights where the Blues would find a way to let it slip. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period. It happened fast. Jake Neighbours buried a wrist shot at 17:03, and just thirty seconds later, Nick Bjugstad doubled the lead. The crowd was buzzing. Then, the second period happened.
Tampa Bay is elite for a reason. Nikita Kucherov and Oliver Bjorkstrand both scored on the power play within a minute of each other. Suddenly, it’s 2-2.
The third period and overtime were a masterclass in "hanging on for dear life." Tampa Bay outshot St. Louis 36 to 21 overall. The ice felt tilted. Every time Kucherov touched the puck, you could hear a collective breath-hold in the arena. But the Blues didn't break.
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Why the Shootout Was Different
Jordan Kyrou was the only one to find the back of the net in the skills competition. He went backhand, beat Andrei Vasilevskiy, and that was that. But the real hero stayed in the crease. Hofer stared down some of the best snipers in the world—including a final save on a Kucherov wrister—and didn't blink.
It's kinda wild when you look at the stats. Hofer has been on a tear. Three months ago, he was statistically one of the worst starters in the league regarding goals saved above expected. Fast forward to now, and he’s basically carrying the team on his back while Jordan Binnington struggles.
The Context: Ending the Lightning’s Streak
This wasn't just any win. You've gotta realize that Tampa Bay came into St. Louis on an 11-game winning streak. They hadn't lost a game since mid-December. They were arguably the hottest team in the NHL, and the Blues—who have been the definition of "inconsistent" this year—stopped them cold.
Coach Jim Montgomery mentioned after the game that he loved the "compete" level. For a team that has dealt with massive injuries—Robert Thomas is out for at least two weeks with a lower-body issue—this kind of grit is mandatory.
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- Final Score: Blues 3, Lightning 2 (SO)
- Blues Goals: Neighbours, Bjugstad, Kyrou (SO winner)
- Hofer's Night: 34 saves on 36 shots (.944 SV%)
The Blues are now 19-21-8. They aren't exactly world-beaters yet, but they’ve won two straight. They beat Carolina 3-0 earlier in the week, and now this. It feels like the team is finally finding an identity under Montgomery, even if it’s a "bend but don't break" style of hockey.
Looking Ahead: Can They Keep It Up?
The road doesn't get easier. The Blues head to Edmonton tonight to face McDavid and the Oilers. It’s a 5:00 PM PST / 8:00 PM EST puck drop at Rogers Place.
Historically, the Blues play well against Edmonton. They won the first meeting this year 3-2 back in November. Brayden Schenn usually turns into a different player against the Oilers, too. He has 28 career points in 29 games against them.
If you're betting or just watching, keep an eye on the power play. St. Louis has scored a man-advantage goal in eight of their last ten games against the Oilers. If they can stay out of the penalty box themselves—something they struggled with last night by giving Tampa those 5-on-3 looks—they have a real shot at a three-game win streak.
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The biggest question remains the health of the roster. With Thomas on IR and Philip Broberg just returning from concussion protocol, the depth is being tested. Young guys like Dalibor Dvorsky and Otto Stenberg are getting looks, but the heavy lifting is coming from the veterans and, primarily, the guy in the goalie mask.
Check the lineup before the Edmonton game. If Hofer gets the nod again, expect a low-scoring, tight affair. If it's Binnington, the Blues will need their offense to wake up and provide more than 21 shots on goal.
To stay ahead of the next game, track the line combinations during the morning skate in Edmonton. The defensive pairings, specifically how much ice time Cam Fowler and Colton Parayko are eating up, will tell you everything you need to know about the Blues' chances of sustaining this momentum.