WASHINGTON (AP) — Philip Broberg scored twice to help the St. Louis Blues beat the Washington Capitals 5-2 on Thursday night, inching closer to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and handing the top team in the East a rare second loss in a row. Dylan Holloway and Colton Parayko also scored, and Jake Neighbours added an empty-net goal for the Blues, who have won three straight to stay in contention as the March 7 NHL trade deadline approaches.
Moves made by general manager Doug Armstrong last summer, particularly signing Broberg and Holloway to offer sheets, have proved advantageous for St. Louis. The team's strategy gained momentum as backup goalie Joel Hofer recorded 16 saves.
The Capitals, meanwhile, faced some adversity, missing key winger Tom Wilson due to illness. This loss marked their first back-to-back defeats since December 16-17, ending their impressive home point streak at 16 games. Despite goals from Pierre-Luc Dubois and Connor McMichael, Washington struggled to take control of the game, falling behind early.
Key Moments led to the outcome of the match. After McMichael tied the game at 2-2 late in the second period, the Blues responded decisively with two goals within 35 seconds, demonstrating their ability to seize momentum. The moment marked the turning point for the game, as the Blues quickly regained the lead through Holloway's and Parayko’s goals.
Brayden Schenn, who recently reached the milestone of 1,000 regular-season games, contributed to the Blues' victory by providing two assists, showcasing leadership on the ice during this notable occasion.
The matchup saw Broberg take center stage early on. He opened the score with 8:46 remaining in the first period, taking advantage of Mathieu Joseph’s cross-ice pass for a powerful one-time shot. The Capitals responded shortly after with Dubois tying the game with 4:56 remaining, deftly maneuvering around Blues goaltender Hofer with a backhand shot.
After returning to the lead on Broberg’s second goal, the Blues faced pressure from the Capitals during the second period. McMichael tied the game again, shooting from the left faceoff dot to beat Hofer. Just moments later, Holloway and Parayko struck back quickly—Holloway deflected Ryan Suter’s shot for the go-ahead goal, followed closely by Parayko punching home during a goalmouth scramble, establishing the Blues’ momentum.
Meanwhile, legendary scorer Alex Ovechkin, returning from injury, continued to chase Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, yet left the game with just four shots on net, holding his total at 883, still needing 11 goals to claim the title.
After Neighbours sealed the 5-2 win with an empty-net goal, the Blues left the ice with palpable confidence, signaling their commitment to fighting for the playoff position as the regular season progresses.
The loss, on the other hand, sends the Capitals back to the drawing board. Their midseason lull showcased vulnerabilities, raising concerns about their ability to perform under pressure.
Looking forward, the Blues will return home to face the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, seeking to extend their winning streak. The Capitals face the Tampa Bay Lightning later on the same day, hoping for redemption on their home turf.