Blues Edge Avalanche, MacKinnon Extends Home Streak to 24 Games

DENVER, Colo. — The St. Louis Blues secured their ninth consecutive victory with a 2-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday at Ball Arena, propelling them into a tie for the first wild card spot in the Western Conference. Pavel Buchnevich scored the decisive goal midway through the third period, providing the Blues the momentum they needed to conclude their recent stretch of games on a high note.

Buchnevich, who had missed four previous games due to illness, showcased his skills by redirecting a rebound past Avalanche goalie Mackenzie Blackwood at 8:54 of the third period. “I just tried to get in front of the net, and the puck hit me. I got the rebound; the goalie didn’t even see it,” Buchnevich stated. The goal followed St. Louis’ power-play opportunities early in the third, which had failed to convert.

The Blues improved to 40-28-7 and now stand 11-1-1 in their last 13 games. Goalie Jordan Binnington contributed with 28 saves, enhancing St. Louis’s playoff aspirations. St. Louis is tied with the Minnesota Wild, who lost 5-2 to the New Jersey Devils on the same night, although the Wild hold a game in hand. “It’s very impressive what we’re doing right now,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “There’s something going on special and it’s great to be a part of it.”

Zack Bolduc scored the other goal for the Blues, marking an important power-play goal at 10:57 of the first period, assisted by Robert Thomas. Bolduc’s shot from the right circle capitalized on a pass from Thomas. “It was a hard pass, and I had to get it while it was landing and put it in a great spot,” Bolduc remarked.

For the Avalanche (45-26-3), Nathan MacKinnon tied the game in the first period, scoring his 30th goal of the season at 12:09 when he skillfully chipped the puck past Binnington. This goal also extended MacKinnon’s impressive home point streak to 24 games, the longest streak in the NHL this season. “Tonight, when we were slow and turning pucks over, we just gave them free momentum,” Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews commented on their performance.

Colorado had previously won four straight and 11 in a row at home, reflecting their strong season performance. However, the loss against the Blues snapped their home winning streak. “I didn’t love our first period,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “The checking side of it was off, but we were dangerous offensively.”

Notably, MacKinnon’s consistent scoring marks a significant moment in Avalanche history. He has now recorded his seventh career 30-goal season, joining legends like Joe Sakic and Michel Goulet in the franchise’s record book. MacKinnon’s 24-game home point streak positions him second in lifetime standings for the Avalanche/Nordiques franchise.

St. Louis now turns its focus to the final stretch of their season, hoping to secure a playoff spot amidst fierce competition in the West. With their ongoing momentum, the Blues aim to continue their impressive performance as the postseason approaches.