Joel Hofer’s first shutout since mid-December and a dominant middle frame flipped the script for the Blues, who buried Carolina 3-0 to stop the bleeding and keep playoff hopes flickering in the Central.
Second-period eruption changes everything
St. Louis entered Tuesday 0-3-0 on its tailspin, outscored 14-5 while slipping to the fringe of the wild-card picture. One period reversed the narrative. Nick Bjugstad’s shorthanded breakaway 3:09 into the second broke a 68-minute team goal drought, Dalibor Dvorsky doubled the lead six minutes later, and Snuggerud’s man-advantage wrister with 7:11 remaining turned Enterprise Center into a madhouse.
- It was the Blues’ first shorthanded tally since Dec. 5 and only their second game this season with both a SHG and PPG.
- Neighbours’ primary helper on Dvorsky’s marker extended his point streak to four games, matching the longest active run on the roster.
Hofer answers the crease question
With Jordan Binnington shelved weeks ago and the backup carousel spinning, Joel Hofer reminded the coaching staff why he was a 2018 fourth-rounder. The 24-year-old stopped all 33 shots—including nine in a first-frame siege, a glove robbery on Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and a third-period flurry when Carolina pushed for the comeback—posting his fourth clean sheet of 2025-26 and first since blanking Seattle on Dec. 17.
The performance lifted Hofer’s January save percentage to .939 across three starts and shaved his season GAA below 2.70 for the first time since October.
Hurricanes’ machine finally misfires
Carolina arrived 16-3-1 in its previous 20 and had not been shut out in 95 regular-season contests dating to last March. The loss ends a five-game point streak (4-0-1) and drops the Canes three points behind the Rangers for the Metro lead, though they still hold three games in hand.
Rookie netminder Brandon Bussi saw his sparkling 16-2-1 mark since recall take a rare dent; the 28 stops still pushed his career save percentage to .918, but the defeat underscores how thin the margin is when Rod Brind’Amour’s group fails to tilt the ice early.
Injury ledger and lineup ripple
St. Louis again skated without Robert Thomas (lower body) and Philip Broberg (concussion protocol), yet the recalled youth brigade delivered. Dvorsky’s second NHL goal came on a textbook give-and-go with Neighbours, while Snuggerud’s fifth of the campaign gives the 20-year-old winger eight points in his last 10 contests.
Coach Jim Montgomery’s decision to reunite Brayden Schenn between Bjugstad and Alexey Toropchenko paid instant dividends: the trio combined for six shots, 14 hits, and the game-opening goal while starting 73 percent of shifts in the defensive zone.
What it means in the standings
The victory vaults St. Louis to 49 points, tied with Nashville for the final wild-card slot and two clear of Calgary, which lost in overtime. The Blues also own the tiebreaker (regulation wins) on the Predators and have two games in hand. Meanwhile, Carolina remains stuck at 63 points, now looking up at both the Rangers and Capitals in a tightening Metropolitan race.
Next heat check
St. Louis hosts Atlantic-leading Tampa Bay on Friday, the first half of a back-to-back that ends in Dallas 24 hours later. If Hofer starts both, management will learn quickly whether Tuesday’s gem was a momentum spark or a one-off. The Hurricanes welcome Florida for a Southeast showcase the same night, where a rebound will be mandatory with divisional matchups looming.
For lightning-quick, expert-level breakdowns of every goal, trade rumor, and playoff twist, keep your browser locked on onlytrustedinfo.com—where the analysis beats the final buzzer.
