Takeaways from Blues 3-2 Win vs. Predators

Failed Clear Attempt Leads to Goal

Not long after, at 11:41, the Predators tied the game after Tyson Jost redirected a shot past Hofer following a point shot from Hague. The puck was tipped but just fluttered its way over Hofer, not giving him much of a chance to react.

But that’s not all that happened on that goal. Just before, Parayko had a chance to clear the puck near the point and whacked at it with his backhand. Nicolas Hague was able to keep it in for Nashville and get a shot off that led to the goal. It’s easy to blame Parayko for this, but he had to reach quite far to hit the puck with many players still around him. This made it hard to really have any way to direct the puck, which is why he just batted it and it happened to go right to Hague.

Either way, the puck not getting out of the zone there led to the Predators tying the game in the first period.

Pavel Buchnevich Did Things Himself

Buchnevich showed up, putting on a two-goal performance fueled by a mix of luck, aggressiveness, and being in the right place at the right time. Both goals he scored were off of his own bounces.

At the end of the first period, Buchnevich regained the lead during a 2-on-1 and had some luck on his side. He tried to pass the puck to Neighbours on the backside, but Roman Josi went down to a knee to block the pass. Luckily, the puck bounced right back onto Buchnevich’s stick, and he tapped it in with his backhand.

He really should have taken the shot, as there wasn’t a lane for the pass, but that’s exactly where some puck luck saves the day, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Then in the third period, he made it 3-1 at 4:40 after getting a drop pass from Thomas and getting off an initial shot that was saved. He crashed the net on his own shot, regained the puck on his forehand, and flipped it into the net. Another goal where he regained the puck by himself.

Joel Hofer Made a Huge Mistake but Got Lucky

In the opening minutes of the second period, Hofer made a big error that led directly to a goal. Fortunately for him, the Blues were saved by a successful challenge.

Hofer is known for being an extremely aggressive goalie, playing any puck he can. He handled this one behind the net and was looking for a pass. When he tried to make it, Ryan O’Reilly batted the puck out of the air, and Steven Stamkos put it in for what might have been the easiest goal of his career. But to Hofer’s surprise, the Blues challenged the play for offsides, and they were correct. Stamkos was well offside, so the goal was taken away, keeping it 2-1 Blues through the second period.

Other than that play, Hofer was outstanding, facing 31 shots and saving 29 for a .935 save percentage. His aggressiveness is a key part of his game, and while plays like this can happen, overall it has been a huge benefit for the Blues.

A Couple Guys Returned from IR

Jordan Kyrou (lower body) returned after missing nine games and was very noticeable on the ice. He created several high-quality chances from the slot and showed he is back and healthy. Jimmy Snuggerud (wrist) was originally expected to be re-evaluated in six weeks, but returned two weeks ahead of schedule. He seemed a little rusty, but having just come off surgery, he will gradually get back into the lineup and make an impact.