Robert Thomas recorded his first NHL hat trick, including the late game-winner, as the St. Louis Blues handed the Colorado Avalanche another frustrating home loss, 3–2, at Ball Arena.
DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche’s issues at Ball Arena didn’t go away Sunday—and this one felt particularly frustrating.
Robert Thomas turned in a statement performance, scoring his first career NHL hat trick to lift the St. Louis Blues to a 3–2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. With the loss, Colorado has now gone just 1-5-1 over its last seven games at home, an uncharacteristic slide for a team that’s otherwise dominated this season.
The game-winner came late. With 2:50 remaining, Jimmy Snuggerud spearheaded a 2-on-1 rush, dragging the puck around a sliding Martin Nečas before slipping a perfect pass across the crease. Waiting on the other side, Thomas buried it past Mackenzie Blackwood to complete the hat trick and put the game out of reach.
Snuggerud and Dylan Holloway each recorded three assists in a breakout showing for St. Louis, which improved to 33-31-12. The Blues wrapped up their road trip at 2-1-1 and have now gone 6-1-1 over their last eight, gaining ground in the playoff race. Joel Hofer was steady in net, stopping 26 shots.
The win moves St. Louis within three points of the Nashville Predators for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.
For Colorado, Brent Burns led the way with a goal and an assist, while Parker Kelly added another. Blackwood finished with 25 saves. The Avalanche were coming off a strong win in Dallas the night before but couldn’t carry that energy back home.
Even with the recent struggles, Colorado still sits comfortably atop the Central Division and Western Conference, holding an eight-point cushion over the Dallas Stars with five games remaining.
One ongoing concern: the power play. For the second straight game, it failed to convert, going 0-for-3 against the Blues.
A quick turnaround awaits, as these teams will meet again Tuesday in St. Louis.
First Period
Colorado thought it struck early when Ross Colton knocked a rebound out of midair and past Hofer, but the celebration was short-lived. Jack Drury had entered the zone well ahead of the play, and the offside challenge wiped the goal away.
St. Louis capitalized on a defensive lapse midway through the period. Thomas opened the scoring at 11:59, one-timing a feed from Snuggerud after the Avalanche lost coverage in their own end.
Colorado answered late. Kelly notched his 20th of the season with 4:50 left, redirecting a point shot from Burns to even things at 1–1.
A late penalty to Jonatan Berggren for hooking Nathan MacKinnon gave Colorado some carryover power-play time, but the period ended tied. The Blues held a slight edge in shots, 11–8.
Second Period
Burns gave the home side its first lead early in the second, wiring a shot from the point at 3:40. Nick Blankenburg and Brock Nelson picked up assists.
The lead didn’t last. Just 29 seconds later, Holloway sent the puck up ice, where Snuggerud gathered it and set up Thomas again on an odd-man rush to tie the game 2–2.
Colorado generated chances as the period wore on. MacKinnon found space at the point and stepped into a wrist shot, but Hofer flashed the glove to keep it even.
The Avalanche were tested on the penalty kill after Nazem Kadri was called for tripping Alexey Toropchenko during a board battle. Later, Berggren took another penalty—this time for holding Nečas—giving Colorado a late power play, but the unit again came up empty.
After two periods, the score remained tied, with the Avalanche holding a 20–17 advantage in shots.
Third Period
An early chance came on the man advantage when Jack Finley was called for holding Logan O'Connor’s stick. The call was made by the back official after the nearby referee missed it.
That opportunity was short-lived. MacKinnon was whistled for slashing moments later, leading to brief 4-on-4 play before St. Louis went to the power play.
Colorado nearly stole one while shorthanded. Hofer ventured out of his crease to play the puck, creating chaos in front of the net. A scramble ensued, but neither Artturi Lehkonen nor Nelson could push the loose puck across the line.
Then came the dagger.
With under three minutes remaining, Snuggerud and Thomas connected yet again on another odd-man rush—eerily similar to the previous two goals. The finish completed the hat trick and sealed a 3–2 win for St. Louis.
Three goals, all off rush chances, all with a familiar look. For Colorado, it was a frustrating pattern—and one that ultimately defined the night.
