Blues Dominate Utah, Seal Playoff Spot with 6-1 Victory

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA — The St. Louis Blues clinched a playoff berth with a decisive 6-1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on April 16, 2025, marking their return to the postseason after missing the last two years.

The Blues entered the game needing a regulation win to secure their spot. They dominated from the outset, leveraging an 11-game home win streak, the longest in franchise history.

Jimmy Snuggerud highlighted the night by scoring his first NHL goal, while Brayden Schenn tallied two goals, leading the offensive charge. ‘It was a complete team effort, and we’re excited to finally be back in the playoffs,’ Schenn said after the game.

The scoring began at 8:08 of the first period when Schenn found the net off a rebound from Snuggerud’s breakaway. Pavel Buchnevich assisted on the play, marking his 20th goal of the season.

St. Louis extended their lead to 2-0 at 11:17. Cam Fowler kept the puck in the offensive zone, setting up Buchnevich for an easy score. The goal showcased the Blues’ dominant forechecking and strong offensive support.

With 5:15 remaining in the first, Snuggerud notched his first NHL goal, pouncing on a rebound from a Buchnevich shot. Zack Bolduc provided the second assist, contributing to the team’s strong performance.

The Blues finished the first period with a 4-0 lead after Bolduc scored a blast from the high slot just before the buzzer. The team capitalized on their power plays, scoring two goals on the man advantage.

Utah finally got on the board with a goal from Clayton Keller at 5:34 in the second, but the Blues maintained a 4-1 lead. Despite being outshot 19-21 after two periods, the Blues’ defense held solid, with Jordan Binnington making key saves.

At 6:05 into the third, the Blues took advantage of another power play, as Jordan Kyrou scored, assisted by Jake Neighbours and Brent Faulk, bringing the score to 5-1. Kyrou’s tally was his 35th of the year.

With 2:36 left, Toropchenko’s shot turned into Kyrou’s second goal, wrapping up the evening’s scoring at 6-1. Binnington ended the game with 22 saves, further solidifying his reputation as a reliable goaltender.

Post-game, coach Jim Montgomery praised the team’s growth through the season, saying, ‘This was a great way to finish the regular season and step into the playoffs. We’re feeling confident.’

As the playoffs loom, the Blues will face the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets in the first round. Schenn noted, ‘This is where we wanted to be. We have to keep building on this momentum as we head into the playoffs.’

Linesman will monitor the health of the team, especially Robert Thomas, who exited with a lower body injury. The Blues are looking forward to their playoff journey, confident in their renewed teamwork and competitive spirit.