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Snuggerud Watch Is Official On For Blues
ST. LOUIS -- The Jimmy Snuggerud watch, or when he will turn pro, is officially on for the St. Louis Blues.
The end result for the No. 23 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft wasn't what the forward envisioned when he returned to the University of Minnesota for his junior season, but Thursday's surprising 5-4 overtime loss to Massachusetts in the first round of the Fargo (N.D.) Regional ended the Gophers' -- and Snuggerud's -- season sooner than many, including themselves, had expected.
Now becomes the question of when -- not if -- will he sign his first pro contract and how quickly will he join the Blues?
Could it be as early as today? And will he be in Denver for Saturday's 3:30 p.m. game against the Colorado Avalanche and be in uniform?
That's a lot to ask at this point, but it's not totally out of the realm of possibility since both general manager Doug Armstrong and GM-to-be Alexander Steen were in attendance to see the Blues' latest in high-end prospects.
Snuggerud scored twice, once to put the Golden Gophers ahead 1-0 in the first period, then again late in regulation to tie the game 4-4; he finished the season with 51 points (24 goals, 27 assists) in 40 games and 135 points (66 goals, 69 assists) in 119 games spanning three seasons.
Here's the point the Blues (39-28-7), who have won eight straight and are 15-2-2 the past 19 games, have to address: how do they handle the utilization of Snuggerud if/when he joins?
Do they insert him into the lineup immediately, or do they take how they're going with the Dalibor Dvorsky (No. 10 pick, 2023) route?
You see what the Blues are doing with Dvorsky, who did make his NHL debut last Sunday in a 4-1 win against the Nashville Predators. They played him, then have kept him on the sidelines the past two games to watch, grow and learn what being an NHL pro is all about.
Here's what Blues coach Jim Montgomery said on that on Thursday:
"Every day he can grow, he’s so young and learning just how to travel on the road, what this building looks like, how do you get here,” Montgomery said. “All those little things and then the extra work he gets to do and the pace of our practices is really going to benefit him.
“(He's) very inquisitive. He has a thirst for knowledge. It’s awesome.”
It would be very tempting to take Snuggerud and insert him and his dangerous offensive prowess, and his most dangerous attribute being his shot, into the lineup if the Blues were just plodding along. But they're not plodding along. They're roaring like a freight train, and will that mess with the chemistry in the room with the guys that have gotten them to this point if someone comes out and Snuggerud goes in? And how will the on-ice chemistry make an immediate impact without the 20-year-old (who will turn 21 on June 1) having any ice time with the current players?
These are all tough decisions that need to be made, and even though the Blues would be burning the first year of Snuggerud's entry-level deal when he signs once he plays, that will not influence whether/when he plays or not this season.
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Three Takeaways From Blues' 2-1 Win Against Avalanche
DENVER
– OK, this is getting serious. Quite serious.
Actually,
it’s been that way since the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Only the St.
Louis Blues knew they could build what they’re currently building
into something.
The
beat goes on, and this may be the most impressive win of the bunch,
coming into Ball Arena on Saturday and in workmanlike fashion,
cooling off the equally red-hot Colorado Avalanche, 2-1, to run their
winning streak to nine games.
Pavel
Buchnevich scored the deciding goal in the third period, and Zack
Bolduc’s power-play goal in the first period, coupled with Jordan
Binnington’s terrific work with 28 saves continued to fuel the
Blues (40-28-7), who moved into a tie for the first wild card from
the Western Conference with the Minnesota Wild, who lost 5-2 against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.
The
Blues had to survive Colorado’s pulling of goalie Mackenzie
Blackwood and deal with the Avalanche’s onslaught of attempts at
the net, but the sacrificing of bodies to preserve the lead and some
important, tense saves from Binnington enabled the Blues to end the
Avs’ home winning streak at 11.
“It
was an intense game,” Binnington said. “I feel like every time we
come to this building, it’s that level of intensity. Right from the
beginning, we know they come hard. We weathered the storm early, got
the lead. It was a very fun hockey game, I think it was an
entertaining hockey game and we’re glad we got the two points.”
Robert
Thomas, who assisted on both goals and extended his multi-assist
streak to four games, which ties a Blues franchise record, called it
a playoff game.
“It’s
exciting. That game was really exciting, tight-checking, not many
chances both ways. Felt like a playoff game,” Thomas said. “It
was really exciting. Obviously everyone saw that, but throughout the
game, so many guys doing the same thing and sacrificing. At the end
of the day, that’s what gave us a good chance to win.”
Here
are Saturday’s Three Takeaways:
*
Finding a way in a tough building against a red-hot team playing 10th
game in 17 days – This was as taxing as it gets, and for the Blues
to finish off this stretch of 10 games in 17 days, in a tough
building in altitude where opposing teams are already at a
disadvantage, they stayed committed to the structure and willed
themselves once again.
“It’s
the end of 10 in 17 games, we went 9-1 and we lost the first one,”
Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “It’s very impressive what we’re
doing right now.”
“It’s
what we’re dealt, right? This is our schedule, we’ve got to find
a way to get it done and it’s our job,” Binnington said. “I’ll
tell you, it’s been fun hockey and fun coming together and time on
the road, just practicing and building each game and coming back in
games, holding leads. This is the time of year where you want to be
playing this kind of hockey and we’re doing a good job of it.”
“When
you get a little bit of mojo and a little bit of flow going,
everyone’s been stepping up huge,” Thomas said. “Any given
night, someone’s stepping up and making a big difference, not
always offensively, but whether it’s checking or defensively and
when you have everyone going on the same page and pulling the rope
together, we’re a dangerous team.”
*
Building something special – For anyone to imagine that the Blues
would be in this position a month ago would have likely been laughed
at.
But
when the Blues came in off the break on Feb. 22, they lost that game,
and when the consensus was they liked the result of a 4-3 shootout
loss compared to the 6-5 shootout win prior to the break, that said
all you needed to know.
It’s
been all about the process of getting to playing the game the right
way and not cheating it, and right now, the Blues are playing the
game the right way.
And
they’re reaping the rewards in the process.
The
Avalanche had won four in a row, it was 12-1-1 their past 13 since a
3-1 loss at St. Louis on Feb. 23, it had won 11 in a row at home
(outscored opponents 51-17) and points in 12 straight at home
(11-0-1; haven’t lost in regulation here since 3-1 vs. the Wild on
Jan. 20).
This
was no coincidence.
“I
think the buy-in has been evident with the blocked shots,”
Montgomery said. “The ‘Buchy’ goal is a great example (at 8:54
of the third period). People sacrificing at the net front, screen,
rebound, put the puck in. I think that’s why you see it in the
newspapers, the social media stuff.
“There’s
something going on special right now and it’s great to be part of
it. I’m very grateful to be here.”
What
is that special something to the players?
“I
think it’s a lot of little moments that lead to big moments,”
Binnington said. “We’re finding a way to get it done and it’s
everyone, top to bottom. Everyone’s having a contribution. I think
we’ve just got to keep focusing one game at a time and focusing on
these little moments and we’ll see what happens in the end.”
Building something special included Laura Branigan's 'Gloria' in 2019. Do the Blues have their Gloria in 2025? Perhaps, it's Jobu.
"Jobu's second intermission speech got us going, I think," Binnington said. "He brought a vocal moment to the room."
What did he say?: "You've got to understand his language if you want to know what he says," Binnington said.
Enough said.
*
Commitment to taking away middle of the ice – The Blues are serving
notice to anyone they play: you can have the perimeter of the ice.
But the interior? Good luck.
The
Avalanche are one of the top teams off the rush, and the Blues gave
them just four opportunities in the game. They’re committed to
sacrificing the body, laying out to block shots (22).
It
will be a commitment of five bodies in front of you, taking away
anything and everything.
“They
make so many plays. They’re such a good hockey team, but we protect
ice really well,” Montgomery said. “We gave them the outside and
we collapsed to the net well, we won the battles. It’s very
impressive.”
And
if the last two minutes wasn’t evidence enough, with players taking
longer and extended shifts and still sacrificing the body to protect
the house, then you’re not paying attention.
“It’s
just a free for all out there, guys laying out everywhere, extended
shifts,” Binnington said. “It’s kind of just chaos and trust
your hockey sense and make reads with whatever energy you’ve got.
We found a way to get it done against a talented group there. Just a
hard-fought, character finish.”
*
Bonus takeaway … the play of Robert Thomas – Thomas made the pass
to Bolduc for the perfect one-timer at 10:57 of the first period and
a 1-0 lead, then helped set up Buchnevich’s goal.
Thomas
now has 10 assists the past four games (two goals, 10 assists in a
five-game point streak).
“He’s
been instrumental. He’s been unreal,” Montgomery said. “He’s
playing like he’s one of the best players in the league and it’s
a big reason why we’re such a good team right now.”
And
it’s happening no matter who Thomas is playing with these days.
“That’s
what special players do and that’s why he’s special,”
Montgomery said.
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(3-27-25) Blues-Predators Gameday Lineup
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. -- Even with a seven-game winning streak on the line when the
St. Louis Blues (38-28-7) take on the Nashville Predators (27-36-8)
for the third time in 10 days at Bridgestone Arena (7 p.m.; FDSNMW Extra,
ESPN 101.1-FM), the Blues continue to battle to hold on to the second
wild card in the Western Conference.
Despite
going 14-2-2 their past 18 games, taking 30 of a possible 34 points,
the good news is the Blues were able to make up the ground that they
faced but in saying that, one slip up could be dangerous.
The
Blues’ lead for the second wild card is three points over the
Vancouver Canucks, four over the Calgary Flames and eight over the
Utah Hockey Club.
But
the added caveat to all this is now they’re just two points behind
the Minnesota Wild for the first wild card.
But
the Blues are not as focused on other teams as they’re focused on
themselves, and that’s enabled them to be in the position they’re
in.
“Yeah,
100 percent,” said
Blues forward Dylan Holloway, who carries an eight-game point streak
(four goals, nine assists) into tonight’s game.
“We know it's a tight race. The biggest thing is we've just got to
control what we can control. We can't control other teams and their
outcomes, so the biggest thing for us is to just keep playing the way
we are. We know what works, so just keep going.”
Coming
out of the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Blues were solely focused on
trying to gain ground on the second wild card. Now with Minnesota
falling back to the pack, the first wild card is also in play.
“That's
definitely the goal,” Holloway said. ‘We've got nine games left
and we've just got to go a game at a time. We can't start thinking
about other teams and the outcomes of their games. We've just got to
focus one game at a time and try and get that two points every game.
If we go in with that mindset, we should be good.”
The
current winning streak has had a little bit of everything.
“I
think it’s just selfless, committed hockey to process the way we
believe we need to play in order to have success,” Blues coach Jim
Montgomery said. “Everyone’s playing well. Our top six are
scoring, they’re playing defense; our bottom six are scoring and
they’re hanging onto pucks and protecting pucks and our D-corps has
been really solid. And we’re missing two of our top players
(defenseman Colton Parayko and forward Pavel Buchnevich), and
goaltending. I didn’t like the last nine minutes of the second
(period on Tuesday). ‘Binner’ had to make four or five really
big-time saves, and he made them look easy.”
The Blues have outscored their opposition 34-10 during their winning streak and have scored four or more goals in each contest.
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It
will be the third matchup in 10 days between the Blues and Predators,
and the Blues have won matching 4-1 results, winning here in this
building March 18 and again at Enterprise Center last Sunday.
Each
game has had it’s share of nastiness to it, but each coach
downplayed that factor as something to keep an eye on tonight.
“Not
really because a lot of times when you expect it, nothing happens,”
Montgomery said. “We’re just focused on ourselves. We’re not
worried about stuff like that.
“We
know they play really hard, they’re a physical team, you’re going
to have to earn what you get. We haven’t had that many scoring
chances against them. They really are defending hard. We’ve just
got to stay with it, stay with our process, play to the goal line and
make sure we’re forechecking, reloading and back checking.”
Predators
coach Andrew Brunette added, “No, let’s just play hard, play in
their face. I thought we did a real good job in their building and we
didn’t get rewarded. Now we’re here back in here. When you play a
team three times in a week, there’s going to be a bit of a rivalry
going, a little intensity to the games. I expect that tonight.”
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Parayko skated again on Thursday but will miss his
11th
straight game after having his left knee scoped from an injury in a
3-2 shootout win against the Los Angeles Kings on March 5.
Parayko
participated in the morning skate prior to a 6-1 win against the
Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday and again in Wednesday’s optional.
“There’s
a program he’s under and it starts with (head athletic trainer) Ray
Barile,” Montgomery said. “It started with him on the ice and now
it’s progressing to doing morning skates and doing extra stuff with
(assistant coach) Mike Weber.”
As
for Buchnevich, who has missed three games due to illness, he
did not accompany the team initially on its two-game trip that
concludes Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche, but Montgomery
said he believes the forward was flying in on Thursday afternoon to
meet the team for the remainder of the trip.
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Dalibor
Dvorsky, the No. 10 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, will be a healthy
scratch again on Thursday after making his debut against the
Predators last Sunday, playing 10:49 with no points.
The
center has been gaining the necessary experience off the ice that the
Blues hope will help for a better transition for when he becomes more
of a regular on the ice.
“Every
day he can grow, he’s so young and learning just how to travel on
the road, what this building looks like, how do you get here,”
Montgomery said. “All those little things and then the extra work
he gets to do and the pace of our practices is really going to
benefit him.
“Very
inquisitive. He has a thirst for knowledge. It’s awesome.”
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Thursday
will be Radek Faksa’s 700th
NHL game.
The
center was the 13th
pick in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars and has carved out a
niche of how to play in the league, and this is his first season with
the Blues, qho acquired him from Dallas on July 2 for future
considerations.
“It’s
a big number, but compared to some guys in the dressing room, it’s
still nothing,” Faksa joked. “It doesn’t feel that special.
‘Sutes’, ‘Cammy’, ‘Leds’, ‘Schenner’ … yeah.”
Faksa,
who has 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) and is a plus-1 in 61
games this season, follows Ryan Suter (1,500), Cam Fowler, Nick Leddy
and Brayden Schenn, all who either hit 1,000 games played this season
or last.
“When
you compare 1,500 and 700, it’s like nothing,” Faksa said, whose
first game was against Jaromir Jagr and the Florida Panthers.
“He
was my idol,” Faksa said. “I got to play against him the first
game. That’s why I remember the most. It’s a dream come true.
First game you will never forget.”
Linemate
Nathan Walker said, “Obviously
on the ice, you see what he does. And then off the ice, he’s a good
person, good family man. Him, Torpo and myself, we get along pretty
well and in the locker room as well. He’s a great dude and it’s a
great milestone. Obviously he can keep climbing and get more.”
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Blues
Projected Lineup:
Jake
Neighbours-Robert Thomas-Zack Bolduc
Dylan
Holloway-Brayden Schenn-Jordan Kyrou
Alexandre
Texier-Oskar Sundqvist-Mathieu Joseph
Alexey
Toropchenko-Radek Raksa-Nathan Walker
Cam
Fowler-Nick Leddy
Philip
Broberg-Justin Faulk
Ryan
Suter-Tyler Tucker
Joel
Hofer will start in goal; Jordan Binnington will be the backup.
Healthy
scratches include Matthew Kessel and Dalibor Dvorsky. Colton Parayko
(knee) and Pavel Buchnevich (illness) are out. Torey Krug (ankle) is
out for the season.
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Predators
Projected Lineup:
Filip
Forsberg-Ryan O'Reilly-Luke Evangelista
Michael Bunting-Steven
Stamkos-Jonathan Marchessault
Cole Smith-Fedor Svechkov-Colton
Sissons
Zachary L’Heureux-Michael
McCarron-Kieffer Bellows
Brady Skjei-Nick Blankenburg
Marc Del Gaizo-Justin Barron
Andreas Englund-Spencer Stastney
Juuse Saros will start in goal; Justus
Annunen will be the backup.
Healthy
scratches
include Jordan
Oesterle and
Jakub
Vrana. Jeremy Lauzon (lower body), Adam Wilsby (upper body) and
Roman
Josi (upper body) are
out.
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BREAKING: Blues Sign Top Prospect Jimmy Snuggerud
ST. LOUIS -- Jimmy Snuggerud is officially a member of the St. Louis Blues.
The 20-year-old, and first-round pick (No. 23) in the 2022 NHL Draft, signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday afternoon, the team announced.
Snuggerud will not join the team in Denver for their game against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday but will join them on Monday at practice.
This season, his junior year at the University of Minnesota, he was captain of the Golden Gophers and led the team with 51 points (24 goals, 27 assists) and 51 points in 40 games, but Minnesota was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament on Thursday at the Fargo (N.D.) Regional in the semifinals, 5-4 in overtime.
Nationally, Snuggerud earned Big Ten First Team All-Star honors for the second consecutive season and receiving a selection as a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award (top collegiate player), which will be announced during the Frozen Four here in St. Louis on April 11.
Snuggerud finished his tenure at Minnesota as one of only three players in Gophers history to score 20 or more goals in three consecutive seasons to begin his college career; he finished with 135 points (66 goals, 69 assists).
We outlined earlier on Friday what/how the Blues can proceed with the forward. There will be some interesting decisions to make as the Blues (39-28-7), winners of eight straight and 15-2-2 their past 19 games, make a playoff push this season.
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Three Takeaways From Blues' 3-2 Win Against Predators
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. -- For much of the game Thursday, it looked like the end of the
winning run for the St. Louis Blues.
They
fooled us again.
And
by extending their winning streak to eight games with an incredible
come-from-behind 3-2 win against the Nashville Predators at
Bridgestone Arena, the Blues (39-28-7) found a new way to win.
And
they found that they really can win in any fashion.
Their
goal differential was plus-24 in the first seven games of this
winning streak, but this was different. The Blues fought off a slow
start and overcame a two-goal deficit by scoring twice in the third
period in 19 seconds on goals by Cam Fowler and Dylan Holloway, who
scored twice to extend his point streak to nine games (six goals, nine assists) and after giving up two goals on his first five shots, Joel
Hofer settled in to make 16 saves and win his fifth straight start.
Through
it all, the Blues remained two points behind the Minnesota Wild for
the first wild card in the Western Conference but moved five points
ahead of the Vancouver Canucks for the second wild card and remained
six ahead of the Calgary Flames, who lost 5-2 against the Dallas
Stars on Thursday.
“To
have a comeback win, it wasn’t our best game by any means,”
Holloway said. “We were kind of fighting it a bit early, but I
think that to come back and win a game like that is huge for our
team. That’s how we grow. It’s definitely crucial to know that we
can do that.”
Coach
Jim Montgomery said, “I think we just stuck with it. I thought it
was important. Our first period was just OK and Nashville was
checking really well. They were playing faster than us. The second
period, we needed to win the period and we found a way to get a goal
and then in the third period, we just felt that we hung around and we
were going to prevail. It wasn’t a constant pressure, but we’re
just a confident team that we think we’re going to find a way to
win and we did tonight.”
It’s
the Blues’ longest winning streak since they won nine in a row from
April 2-17, 2022 but first time they were held under four goals. But
all things considered, they’ll gladly take the two points.
Let’s
dive into Thursday’s Three Takeaways:
*
Finally found a forecheck, set play – The Blues trailed 2-1 in the
third period, and it appeared that their winning streak would end.
There
just didn’t seem to be that push that would be necessary to try and
at least even the game up.
Through
the first half of the third, they iced the puck six times and there
just didn’t appear to be that desperate drive needed. They hadn’t
been in this position in a while having to chase a game.
But
for as well as the Predators (27-37-8), who were officially
eliminated from the playoffs Thursday, checked and kept the Blues
from getting to their forecheck, there was a crack.
It
came on Fowler’s goal when the Blues were finally able to establish
some zone time, worked the puck off the wall down low, and when
Brayden Schenn found Jake Neighbours, he was able to find Fowler
driving into the left circle and the defenseman sniped a wrister top
shelf, short side at 11:57 to tie the game 2-2.
“Just
tried to present my stick as an option if he needs it,” Fowler said
of Neighbours. “That’s something we work on as a team and kind of
offensive zone flow and we have to trust if a forward gets back
there, he can get the puck to the net and I can crash for the
rebound, or if he doesn’t like the shot, he can slide it over.
Great play by him. Our whole shift, those guys worked really hard to
get us that opportunity. I was happy to take advantage of it, but
those guys made the whole play and made it happen for me.
“Credit
to them, the first couple periods, they played a really solid game
and didn’t give us much time and space. They were moving pucks fast
and we didn’t get the chance to really establish our forecheck as
we wanted to. It was frustrating for the first couple periods, but we
came in here and tried to regroup in between and support one another.
I thought we came out with a really strong third period and was able
to get a couple big goals there to help us win. It was a great
response by our guys.”
It
was the juice needed, because at 12:19 when Holloway put the Blues
ahead 3-2, it came off an icing and offensive zone face-off, a set
play where Robert Thomas won the face-off to Holloway. He was
supposed to find Jordan Kyrou as an option, but if it wasn’t there,
get the puck to Thomas and enable to crafty center to make a play.
Thomas
tried to find Kyrou from behind the net, but the puck caromed into
the slot, and just like he did on the first goal he scored, Holloway
used his speed to jump the play when the puck got caught in Michael
Bunting’s skates and Holloway stole it and snapped it past Juuse
Saros for the Blues’ first and only lead.
“We
had a face-off play that we were running,” Holloway said. “’Tommer’
was hot on draws. I was supposed to go to to the corner and I get the
puck, ‘Rouz’ was supposed to pop out, I give it low to ‘Tommer’
and then he looks slot. I was kind of rolling. I think he kind of
missed ‘Rou’ and it was in Bunting’s skates and I was able to
fish it out and get a good shot off.”
When
all looked bleak, the Blues found a way, and Montgomery found
something about his players again.
“That
we’re resilient, that the confidence from everything that we’ve
done is now come into the fact that we can win games in a lot of
different fashions,” he said.
*
Holloway goal key – The Blues needed something, anything to spark
them. They had just three shots in the first period and little O-zone
time, and Montgomery said if they can just find something positive in
the second period, with the way the team has been winning and feeling
confident, they would find a way.
Nathan
Walker had a goal waved off earlier in the third period when a quick
whistle blew a play dead – the second time in as many games it’s
happened against Nashville.
But
Holloway made another play. This time, again, hustling to jump into
the neutral zone, disrupt a puck for Michael McCarron, and while
falling down, create a loose puck for Thomas, who darted into the
offensive zone, cut back and fed Holloway for a shot that got through
Saros at 10:35 for a much-needed goal after Nashville had gone ahead
2-0 in the first on goals by Fedor Svechkov at 2:48 and Brady Skjei
at 10:16.
“It
was a neutral zone forecheck,” Holloway said. “As a F-2 there,
you’re supposed to kind of take away the middle option. The guy
went to the middle so I had a step in there. ‘Tommer’ made a
great play, swooped in there, grabbed it. ‘Tommer’ is so good
driving the ‘D’ down low and pulling it so I just tried to get
him the play and he made a helluva pass to me. I was lucky enough for
that one to squeak by.”
*
Thomas/Schenn switch – Montgomery seems to have a pulse for when
making a change, and he’s done so here in the past so many games
when he flips Thomas and Schenn, so Thomas can play with Holloway and
Kyrou, and Schenn goes with Neighbours and Zack Bolduc.
The
Blues hadn’t had much offense, and had just 10 shots on goal
through two periods, but only five through the first 30.
“Really
it’s just looking for a spark,” Montgomery said. “I think we
had five shots on net when I did it. It was 27 minutes into the game.
I was just looking to put ‘Tommer’ with different players and
‘Schenner’ with different players and see if it sparked, and both
lines scored. It worked.
“It’s
just a feel that we’re not playing a normal possession game that we
do and that maybe this will create something to spark, right.”
And
it certainly did.
*
A caveat for the end of the game was the Predators thought they had
scored when Jonathan Marchessault put the puck in at the buzzer for
what appeared to be a 3-3 game, but a quick review showed the puck
was put in after the horn went off.
“I
couldn’t hear anything,” Hofer said. “I was just getting ready
for overtime. I was getting ready for overtime and all the boys came
up to me and told us we won, so it was a good feeling.
“I
knew it was close. I looked up and saw zeroes, but it’s happened to
us a couple times this year with a couple seconds or what not.
Luckily we were on the right side of it tonight.”
“It
was huge. A little adversity for us at the start. We never gave up.
We kept chipping at it. We got one in the second that gave us a
chance in the third. It was a great third period for us. They didn’t
have much. I thought we deserved that one tonight.”
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Blues' Dylan Holloway Nearing Impressive Milestone
The St. Louis Blues extended their winning streak to eight games with a hard-fought 3-2 win against the Nashville Predators on March 27. With this, they have a five-point lead over the Vancouver Canucks for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. In addition, they only trail the Minnesota Wild by two points for the first wild card spot.
Blues forward Dylan Holloway was a significant reason for the club's victory over the Predators, as he scored twice during the matchup. This included the game-winning goal at the 12:19 mark of the third period.
With these two goals, Holloway now has 26 goals this season and needs just four more to record his first 30-goal season. While the Blues only have eight games remaining, the possibility of him hitting 30 goals should not be ruled out, as he is on fire right now. The 6-foot-1 forward has six goals and 15 points in his ongoing nine-game point streak. With numbers like these, he is dominating right now.
It will be interesting to see if Holloway can reach goal No. 30 before the end of the season. No matter what happens on that front, he has been such an outstanding addition to the Blues' roster, as his 62 points in 74 games this season effectively demonstrate.
Do you think Holloway will score 30 goals by the end of the season? Share your thoughts in the poll above.
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Yes, Holloway will score 30 goals
100%3 users
No, Holloway won't score 30 goals
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Should The St. Louis Blues Extend Ryan Suter?
Last off-season, the St. Louis Blues signed defenseman Ryan Suter to a one-year contract. This was after the Dallas Stars bought out the veteran from the final year of his four-year, $14.6 million contract.
Since joining the Blues, Suter has been a solid addition to their blueline. The 2003 first-round pick has worked well on the Blues' bottom pairing and gets penalty-kill time due to his shutdown ability. In 74 games this campaign, he has one goal, 13 points, 93 blocks, and a plus-6 rating.
While Suter is 40 years old, he has not shut the door on continuing his career beyond this season. During an appearance on The Late Shift last month, he made it clear that he is interested in playing next season if his wife approves. In addition, he specifically noted that he is open to signing an extension with the Blues.
With how well Suter has fit into the Blues' defensive group, it is fair to wonder if they could consider keeping him around at a reasonable price. This is especially so when noting that he is a good veteran to have around to help mentor the club's younger players.
Do you think the Blues should extend Suter? Let your thoughts be known in the poll above.
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Former Blues Forward Breaks Single-Season KHL Goal Record
Blues Made Right Call Not Trading Brayden Schenn
Yes, the Blues should extend Suter
0%No the Blues shouldn't extend Suter
100%1 User
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Blues Reveal Number For Top Prospect Jimmy Snuggerud
On March 28, the St. Louis Blues signed top prospect Jimmy Snuggerud to a three-year, entry-level contract. With this, the 2022 first-round pick is ready to begin his professional career with the Central Division club.
Snuggerud is coming off a fantastic collegiate season with the University of Minnesota. In 40 games as the club's captain, the 6-foot-2 forward posted career highs with 24 goals and 51 points. Due to his impressive offense and skill, there is a lot of hype surrounding him.
Now that Snuggerud has signed his entry-level deal, the Blues have announced what the youngster's number will be. Snuggerud sported No. 81 in college, but Dylan Holloway already has it taken. As a result, Snuggerud will wear No. 21 for the Blues.
No. 21 is pretty popular in Blues history, as Snuggerud will now be the 26th player in franchise history to rock it. The last player to do so was Tyler Bozak, who sported the number from 2018-19 to 2021-22.
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