Hockey in January hits different. It's that mid-season grind where every point feels like a playoff battle, and last night at the Enterprise Center was no exception. If you're looking for the short answer to who won blues game last night, the St. Louis Blues managed to pull off a gritty 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. It wasn't exactly pretty. Honestly, it was one of those games where the goaltending did the heavy lifting while the offense just did enough to squeak by.
The atmosphere in downtown St. Louis was electric. You could feel the tension. For a Tuesday night, the crowd was surprisingly loud, mostly because the Wild have become such a thorn in the side of this franchise over the last few seasons.
The Breakdown of the Win
The Blues came out of the gate looking a bit sluggish. Minnesota controlled the pace early, hemmed the Blues in their own zone, and honestly, it looked like it was going to be a long night for the home crowd. Then, Jordan Binnington happened. He’s been the subject of so much trade talk and scrutiny lately, but last night he reminded everyone why he’s got a ring. He made 34 saves. Some were routine. Others were absolutely robbery.
Robert Thomas continues to be the engine of this team. He didn't just score; he dictated the flow of the game every time his skates touched the ice. It’s wild to watch his vision develop. He found Jordan Kyrou for the opening goal on a cross-seam pass that most players wouldn't even see, let alone attempt. Kyrou didn't miss. 1-0 Blues.
Minnesota didn't go away, though. Kirill Kaprizov is a nightmare to defend. He’s low to the ice, incredibly strong on his puck protection, and he eventually found a hole in the Blues' defense to tie it up in the second period. The Blues' penalty kill, which has been hit-or-miss this season, actually stepped up when it mattered most. They killed off a crucial 5-on-3 disadvantage that could have easily blown the game open for the Wild.
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Why Last Night Mattered for the Standings
When we look at who won blues game last night, we have to talk about the "four-point game" reality of the Central Division. The Blues are currently fighting for a Wild Card spot. Every time they beat a divisional rival like Minnesota, they aren't just gaining two points; they are actively preventing a direct competitor from climbing over them.
The winning goal came from an unlikely source: Alexey Toropchenko. He’s the heart-and-soul type of player every winning team needs. He forced a turnover at the blue line, drove the net, and tucked a backhand past Marc-André Fleury. It was blue-collar hockey. No flash. Just effort.
It’s easy to get caught up in the stars, but the depth scoring is what actually wins games in this league.
Defensive Nuances and Goaltending
The Blues' defensive pairings looked a bit more stable than they have in recent weeks. Colton Parayko logged nearly 26 minutes of ice time. That's a massive workload. He was blocking shots, clearing the crease, and using that massive reach to disrupt the Wild's cycle game.
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- Binnington's save percentage last night: .944
- Total hits by the Blues: 22
- Faceoff win percentage: 52%
These numbers don't tell the whole story, but they show a team that was willing to get their hands dirty. The Wild are a heavy team. They play a physical, north-south style that usually bullies the Blues. Last night, St. Louis stood their ground. They didn't get pushed around in the corners.
What the Critics Are Saying
Some analysts, like those over at The Athletic, have pointed out that the Blues are still giving up too many high-danger scoring chances. If you look at the Expected Goals (xG) from last night, Minnesota actually "should" have won based on the quality of their shots.
But hockey isn't played on a spreadsheet.
The "eye test" showed a Blues team that was opportunistic. They waited for Minnesota to make a mistake and then they pounced. Is it a sustainable way to play? Maybe not for a full 82-game season. But for one night in January against a bitter rival? It'll do.
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The power play is still a bit of a concern. They went 0-for-3 last night. If they want to be serious contenders, they have to find a way to convert when they have the man advantage. It’s too static. They pass the puck around the perimeter way too much without actually threatening the slot.
Taking Action: What to Watch Next
Now that you know who won blues game last night, the focus shifts to the upcoming road trip. Winning at home is great, but the Blues have struggled with consistency once they leave Missouri.
If you are following the team's progress, keep a close eye on the injury report. Key veterans are playing heavy minutes right now, and fatigue could start to set in.
- Check the goaltending rotation: With a back-to-back coming up this weekend, see if the coaching staff sticks with the hot hand of Binnington or gives Hofer a nod to keep everyone fresh.
- Monitor the trade market: The trade deadline is creeping up. This win might convince the front office to be "buyers" rather than "sellers," which changes the entire trajectory of the season.
- Analyze the power play entries: Watch how they enter the zone in the next game. If they continue to rely on the drop-pass and get stood up at the blue line, expect more low-scoring frustrations.
The victory over the Wild provides some much-needed breathing room. It gives the locker room a boost of confidence and keeps the fans engaged during the coldest months of the year. For now, the Blues have bragging rights in the Central.