Observations From Blues' 3-0 Win Vs. Capitals
Hofer puts up another goose egg; young guns on display as next generation of Blues; defensive structure continues to gain consistency; coach pleased how players stuck up for each other to help improve run to 8-1-2; shutting Ovechkin down
ST. LOUIS – Say what you will about the St. Louis Blues , who continue to hang on by a thread in the Stanley Cup playoff race in the Western Conference, and regardless of whether they get in or not, and the chances continue to grow slimmer and slimmer, the stretch of hockey they’re putting together lately could go a long way towards prolonged success.
That’s because their future stars are gaining valuable lessons and experience, and their growth continues to gain positive results. Tuesday was no different when the Blues cooled off the tough and physical Washington Capitals , 3-0, to improve to 8-1-2 in their past 11 games, and 9-2-2 since the Olympic schedule resumed. Joel Hofer earned his sixth shutout of the season to pull within one of the league lead with a 21-save gem, and Jimmy Snuggerud, Otto Stenberg and Jordan Kyrou scored for St.
Louis (29-30-11), which opened a three-game homestand but is eight points behind the Nashville Predators for the second wild card in the West. “We’re obviously battling hard,” said Hofer, who trails Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders for the most shutouts in the league with seven. “We’re sticking up for one another, we’re staying together.
“There’s obviously no quit in here. Obviously don’t know how many points out we are, but we still believe in here. I still think we have a chance.
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