Blues end four-game losing streak with 2-1 win over Utah Hockey Club

Matthew DeFranks, St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Feb 2, 2025

Published in Hockey

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SALT LAKE CITY — There wasn't much looking back for the St. Louis Blues to do entering Sunday evening's 2-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club.

They lost the previous four games. They hadn't led in any of them. They fell deeper out of the Western Conference playoff chase. Everyone knew what situation the Blues put themselves in. There was no need to rehash it.

“We try to focus on the process,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said before the game. “We focus on what we’re doing in the present, not worrying about what’s transpired in the past week to 10 days or what’s happening tomorrow. We’re really focused on making sure we’re trying to play on our toes, play physical and make sure that puck’s ours tonight, wherever it is.”

The Blues submitted a strong first period, then rebuffed a Utah comeback as Jordan Kyrou's goal 7:13 into the third period proved the game winner for the Blues.

Kyrou put home a smooth feed from Robert Thomas from behind the Utah net for his 22nd goal of the season.

Michael Kesselring tied the game at 1 for Utah just 3:27 into the third period, bombing a slap shot from the point around a screen by Liam O'Brien. The shot came on an offensive-zone faceoff after an unsuccessful exit from Pavel Buchnevich before the whistle.

It was Kesselring's sixth goal of the season but his third against the Blues.

Alexandre Texier also scored for St. Louis, which received 24 saves from Jordan Binnington.

The Blues have three home games remaining before the 4 Nations Face-Off, beginning with Tuesday's matchup with Edmonton.

Finally, a lead

Texier’s goal with 2:19 remaining in the first period highlighted a period that the Blues badly needed after allowing the first two goals of the game in each of the past four games. It was the team’s first lead since Jan. 20 in Vegas, the club’s last win.

Texier initially won a puck in the corner, and when Radek Faksa’s shot was blocked and caromed to the slot, Colton Parayko jumped into the play to prevent a Lawson Crouse attempted exit. Parayko found Alexey Toropchenko in the corner, and his centering pass to Faksa was dropped to a waiting Texier on the fringe of the left circle.

Texier beat Utah goaltender Connor Ingram shortside for his first goal since the third period of the Winter Classic.

It was the first time the Blues escaped the first period without allowing a goal since Jan. 16 against Calgary. In outshooting Utah 15-9, the plus-6 shot margin was the Blues’ biggest since Dec. 29 against Buffalo. The Blues were outscored 10-1 in the first period during the four losses prior to Sunday’s game.

The Blues had a 27-12 edge in shot attempts in the first period, partly a product of winning 70% of the faceoffs.

Tyler Tucker fought Jack McBain in the first period, Tucker’s second fight in as many games in Utah. Before the fight, Tucker leveled McBain in the corner of his own zone. Two weeks ago, Tucker fought O’Brien at the Delta Center.

Parayko, Thomas in

Parayko was back in the lineup after missing Friday night’s game in Colorado due to illness. Parayko felt better Sunday, Montgomery said, after he missed practice on Saturday afternoon in Utah.

Thomas was also in the lineup, one day after leaving practice early because he was sick. Thomas centered the top line between Buchnevich and Kyrou.

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