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Robert Thomas celebrated his first NHL All-Star Game appointment by scoring one goal and setting up the other as the St. Louis Blues edged the visiting Vancouver Canucks 2-1 on Thursday.
Colton Parayko also scored and Jordan Binnington made 25 saves for the Blues, who snapped a two-game losing streak while improving to 6-3 under interim coach Drew Bannister.
Conor Garland scored and Thatcher Demko made 30 saves for the Canucks, who opened a seven-game road swing by suffering just their second regulation loss in their last 12 games.
Vancouver struck 1:57 into the game. After Demko stopped Blues winger Jake Neighbours stepping out from behind the net, Garland put the Canucks up 1-0 at the other end.
Garland curled into the slot to convert Teddy Blueger's centering pass for just his second goal since Nov. 12.
St. Louis got the upper hand on Vancouver in the second period, outshooting the Canucks 10-7 while tying the score 1-1.
Parayko scored 4:22 into the period. He joined the rush, accepted a drop pass from Thomas, moved in through the right circle and fired a shot in off the left post.
Demko kept the score tied by denying Blues forward Nathan Walker's clean break-in with 5:40 left in the second period. Then 2 minutes later, Binnington had to make a similar stop on Blueger, who stole the puck and shot from point-blank range.
Thomas put the Blues up 2-1 at the 8:03 mark of the third period by scoring in his third straight game. Scott Perunovich came off the bench, took a pass from Pavel Buchnevich then fed Thomas curling into the slot.
Perunovich has five assists in his last five games.
With Demko off the ice for an extra attacker, the Canucks controlled the action for the final 3:17 but they failed to tie the score.
More must-reads:
- Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
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Rangers sign veteran winger to PTO
In an effort to extend his NHL career, veteran winger Conor Sheary has agreed to a professional tryout (PTO) with the New York Rangers, per the NY Post’s Mollie Walker. Sheary has played in 593 games throughout his 10-year career, posting 124 goals and 267 points. He has also shown an ability to elevate his game in big moments during the playoffs, as evidenced by his contributions to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ back-to-back Stanley Cup wins early in his career, when he often played a key role alongside Sidney Crosby. Notably, some of his best professional seasons came in Pittsburgh under head coach Mike Sullivan. After signing a five-year deal in May to lead the Rangers, Sullivan is bringing in a familiar face as he looks to implement a new game plan in New York. However, Sheary has struggled in recent years. After producing just 15 points in 57 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2023-24 season—his lowest output since his rookie year—he dressed in only five games last season with the team. He spent the majority of his year with Tampa’s AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, where he produced 20 goals and 61 points in 59 games. Sheary, 33, will now look to rejuvenate his career with the Rangers, a team in the midst of transition. Beyond the obvious changes that come with a new head coach, the team has also seen longtime staples Chris Kreider and K’Andre Miller depart, while adding forward Taylor Raddysh and prospect Carey Terrance. While PTOs are anything but guaranteed, Sheary’s history of producing quality offense, combined with his relationship with Sullivan, should give him a strong chance to make the opening night roster.
Dodgers Facing Trade Decision After Blake Snell News
Left-handed starting pitcher Blake Snell is in his tenth major-league season after making his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016. Snell spent time with the San Diego Padres, then signed a deal with the San Francisco Giants after the 2023 season, which he later opted out of to enter free agency in 2024. The 32-year-old veteran signed a five-year, $182 million contract this offseason with the Los Angeles Dodgers after an exceptional 2024 campaign. Snell earned such a lucrative contract thanks to his outstanding career to date, which includes two Cy Young Awards and an All-Star appearance. Over 213 career starts, he owns a 77–58 record, a 3.18 ERA and 1,372 strikeouts. Snell was placed on the injured list on April 6 (retroactive to April 3) with left shoulder inflammation after experiencing discomfort during a bullpen session; he had made only two starts for the Dodgers before the injury. After four minor-league rehab outings, manager Dave Roberts announced on Sunday that Snell is expected to rejoin the rotation next week. With his return looming, the Dodgers have decided to shift to a six-man rotation but now face a decision on right-hander Dustin May’s roster status. May returned to a full-time starting role for the first time in two seasons and has struggled. On Sunday against the Boston Red Sox, May allowed four runs in five innings of work, and he entered the start with an ERA of 4.73. May’s name has surfaced in trade rumors, and he is a candidate to potentially be moved to the bullpen. He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.
Green Bay Packers 2nd Year Cornerback Has 'Impressive' Start To Training Camp
The Green Bay Packers are in the midst of training camp, and one name that’s turning heads is second-year cornerback Kalen King. After spending his rookie season on the practice squad, King is making a strong case for a spot on the active roster. With the Packers’ cornerback room in flux, this could be the perfect opportunity for the young defensive back to shine. Kalen King’s College Resume Before joining the Packers, Kalen King was a standout at Penn State. In his sophomore season, King was a force in the secondary, allowing a completion rate of under 50% and surrendering just one touchdown across 328 coverage snaps. He also recorded three interceptions and multiple pass breakups, showcasing his ability to make plays on the ball. However, his junior year was less consistent. Without Joey Porter Jr. on the opposite side, King faced more attention from opposing quarterbacks. His completion rate jumped to 61%, and he struggled in key matchups, including a tough outing against Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. Despite these challenges, King’s potential was evident, and the Packers took a chance on him with a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Making Waves in Green Bay Packers Training Camp Fast forward to 2025, and King is making the most of his opportunities in training camp. Head coach Matt LaFleur has praised his toughness and willingness to compete, even noting that King has been “impressive” in the early days of camp. While the team has yet to practice in full pads, King’s performance has been enough to generate buzz among coaches and fans alike. At 5’11” and 190 pounds, King isn’t the biggest cornerback, but his physicality and football IQ make him a compelling option for the Packers’ secondary. After undergoing wrist surgery in the offseason, King appears to be fully healthy and ready to compete for a roster spot. The Packers’ Cornerback Room The Green Bay Packers’ cornerback situation is one of the more intriguing storylines heading into the season. The team parted ways with longtime star Jaire Alexander in June, leaving a significant void in the secondary. Currently, the top options at cornerback include Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and free-agent addition Nate Hobbs. Javon Bullard, a second-year safety, has also been seeing time as the team’s preferred nickelback. Beyond the top four, the depth chart is wide open. Players like King, Kamal Hadden, and seventh-round rookie Micah Robinson are all vying for spots. The Packers are also experimenting with Bo Melton, a converted wide receiver, as a two-way player in the secondary. With so much uncertainty, King’s strong start to camp could position him as a key contributor in 2025. Why King’s Development Matters For a team in transition, the Packers need young players like King to step up. His ability to adapt and grow could be crucial for a secondary that’s looking to establish its identity post-Alexander. King’s college pedigree and early flashes in camp suggest he has the tools to succeed, but the real test will come when the pads go on and preseason games begin. If King can continue to build on his strong start, he could carve out a role as a rotational cornerback or even push for significant playing time. For now, all eyes are on the young defensive back as he looks to prove he belongs in the NFL.
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