The St. Louis Blues seemed to have control over their Saturday afternoon match against the New York Islanders, although the final moments proved to be nerve-wracking. Ultimately, the Blues secured a 2-1 win at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, marking their first victory in five games.
The Blues (7-9-6) earned points in three consecutive games, breaking a four-game losing streak (0-1-3) during their five-game road trip this season. Goals came from Brayden Schenn and Pius Suter, while Jordan Binnington made 30 saves — 13 of which were in the crucial third period — to secure the essential triumph.
Binnington’s performance stood out, especially with a critical save at 5:21 remaining when he blocked Max Shabanov’s one-timer, preserving the 2-0 lead. Even when the Islanders narrowed the gap with a goal from Anders Lee at 3:20 left, Binnington remained composed, confidently managing the crease and preventing rebounds, which was key against a team skilled at scoring near the net. He also made a glove save on Bo Horvat’s one-timer with just 29 seconds to go.
The final moments were tense, and Blues fans fretted when the Islanders scored to close the lead. The Islanders appeared to score again with about two minutes left, but the goal was disallowed due to goaltender interference. The Blues also faced a challenging penalty kill after Justin Faulk was assessed a double minor for high-sticking but successfully shut down the Islanders’ power play for the 13th straight time, with Pavel Buchnevich blocking multiple shots.
Veteran players Schenn and Buchnevich left the game early, but Schenn’s quick goal in the opening 42 seconds set the tone. Assisted by Filip Broberg and Dalibor Dvorsky, the goal displayed smooth teamwork. While the line didn’t have as strong a performance as in previous games, Schenn’s confidence is growing, aided by Dvorsky’s first NHL assist.
Broberg continued his strong play, averaging over 26 minutes in most games and proving to be a reliable shutdown defenseman alongside Colton Parayko. Even as the Islanders tried to use their speed in the third period, Broberg and the blue line effectively controlled the middle of the ice, limiting dangerous plays.
A crucial second-period goal by Suter at 17:51, following a shot rebound from Dylan Holloway, extended the lead and helped the Blues take control of the game. The Holloway-Suter-Caillou line generated significant scoring chances, proving effective despite previous struggles.
Defensively, the Blues executed well, maintaining control over the middle ice and limiting the Islanders’ dangerous opportunities until late in the game. An early fortunate moment helped when Tyler Tucker cleared the puck near the net after Binnington momentarily lost sight of it. Cam Fowler also had a quietly impressive game with nearly 20 minutes on ice and two blocks, nearly scoring on a power play with a notable assist from Jimmy Snageld.
In summary, the Blues’ collective effort and stellar goaltending helped them end their losing streak and regain confidence on the road.
Fan Take: This victory is significant for Blues fans as it breaks a troubling losing streak and showcases the team’s potential to compete consistently, especially on the road. For hockey enthusiasts, it highlights the importance of solid defense, clutch goaltending, and teamwork, which remain central to the intensity and excitement of the sport.
