ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Blues delivered another standout performance, thrashing the Anaheim Ducks 7-2 on March 16, 2025, showcasing their offensive firepower alongside some solid goaltending from Jordan Binnington. The victory marked the Blues’ tenth consecutive win against the Ducks, strengthening their grip on their postseason aspirations as they tied with Vancouver for the second wild card position in the Western Conference.
Brayden Schenn, who was honored before the game for his recent milestone of playing 1,000 career games, opened the night with the first goal only 41 seconds after the puck dropped. Just 49 seconds later, Pavel Buchnevich pushed the advantage to 2-0, quickly putting the Ducks on their heels.
St. Louis continued to pile on the pressure, scoring again at 8:19 of the second period with Dylan Holloway’s power-play goal. Faulk set him up beautifully for the one-timer from the right face-off dot. The Blues never looked back, with Holloway and Neighbours both contributing with a goal and assist each. It was clear from the start the Blues were ready to dominate.
The Ducks managed to respond with Cutter Gauthier capitalizing on a rebound to cut the lead to 3-1, but the Blues struck again, pushing their lead to 4-1 when Radek Faksa jammed home another goal late in the second. Michael Joseph added fuel to the fire, scoring less than three minutes later for a short-handed goal, making the score 5-1.
Anaheim's Nesterenko found the net early during the third period and raised hopes for the Ducks with the score at 5-2. Yet, any chance of mounting a comeback was extinguished by the Blues' quick counterattack, resulting in power-play goals by Neighbours and Oskar Sundqvist, ending the game firmly at 7-2.
During this game, the Blues not only capitalized on their scoring chances but also showcased impressive special teams' play. They went 3-for-4 on the power play and successfully killed all three penalties they faced. Binnington was pivotal, stopping 23 shots to secure the win, highlighting his consistency and skill under pressure.
The victory counted as the eighth win for the Blues out of their last 11 games, improving their record to 9-2-2 overall in this stretch. Their ability to score first and apply pressure from the outset proved to be instrumental against the Ducks.
The matchup was also not without its tense moments, as Schenn engaged Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba late in the first period. Following the fight, he earned penalties for both fighting and unsportsmanlike conduct, illustrating the high stakes and emotions surrounding the game.
The loss marks Anaheim's fifth defeat out of their last seven games, as they struggle to find traction this season after making several roster adjustments. With this latest setback, they now sit eight points out of playoff contention.
Looking forward, the Ducks will visit Dallas for their next game on March 18, 2025, hoping to turn things around. Meanwhile, the Blues are set to face Nashville on the same date, propelled by their recent success and momentum from this dominating performance.
Overall, the game was not merely about the scoreline; it was about the cumulative effort from the entire Blues roster, showcasing the depth and talent as they continue their push for the playoffs. With players like Kyrou, who added three assists to his name, leading the charge, the Blues seem positioned to make serious noise as the postseason approaches.