ST. LOUIS (AP) — In a pivotal matchup on March 22, 2025, the St. Louis Blues defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1, securing their fifth consecutive victory and strengthening their position in the playoff race.
Alexey Toropchenko stood out with a goal and an assist, while goalie Joel Hofer made 26 saves to maintain his impressive form, improving to 4-0-1 in his last five starts. The Blues now sit firmly in the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, showcasing a remarkable 11-2-2 record since the recent 4 Nations break.
The scoring kicked off at 15:13 in the second period when Robert Thomas batted an airborne puck into the net, giving the Blues a crucial 1-0 lead. Just over two minutes later, at 17:20, Toropchenko extended that lead to 2-0 by slipping one past Blackhawks goalie Arvid Soderblom from close range.
Despite the Blues’ dominance, the Blackhawks fought back with Ilya Mikheyev scoring an unassisted short-handed goal at 19:06 of the second period, narrowing the gap to 2-1. However, the Blues quickly extinguished any hopes of a Chicago comeback with Nathan Walker capitalizing on a pass from Toropchenko just 1:12 into the third period, followed by Zach Bolduc’s goal at 7:43 that sealed the win for St. Louis.
The game held particular significance for Pat Maroon, a native of St. Louis, who announced his retirement plans prior to the match. Maroon, who played a key role in the Blues’ historic 2019 Stanley Cup victory, received a heartfelt ovation from the home crowd in the middle of the second period. "It’s been a great journey, and I appreciate all the support over the years," Maroon said emotionally as he reflected on his career.
Following the game, Blues head coach Jim Montgomery highlighted the importance of strong performances from emerging players, stating, "The experience they’re getting down the stretch run is only going to help us next year and for years to come." This sentiment is echoed by Blues forward Dylan Holloway, who emphasized the need for consistency: "It’s as tight as it’s ever been and we’ve just got to keep going. You’ve got to keep sticking to what’s made us successful here lately." The Blues improved to 35-28-7 with this win, while the Blackhawks fell to a disappointing 20-40-9 after suffering their sixth consecutive defeat, including three losses in their last three games.
The Blues' critical victory not only continues to keep their playoff hopes alive but also adds momentum as they prepare to face the Nashville Predators in their next outing. Chicago, on the other hand, will host the Philadelphia Flyers as they aim to salvage pride in an otherwise challenging season.
As the season winds down, both teams face contrasting narratives. The Blues are riding a wave of confidence, eager to capitalize on their recent form. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks grapple with the harsh reality of a rebuilding phase, having not made the playoffs since 2020. Chicago interim coach Anders Sorensen acknowledged the team's struggles but remained hopeful: "Yeah, they took it to us in the first period. Spencer (Knight) did a good job of keeping us in there. The last two periods, I think we had more quality chances but (they) didn’t go our way."
Rookie sensation Connor Bedard, who contributed three assists, commented, "After the first period, we got a lot better. We didn’t create enough 5-on-5 probably, and that’s kind of what the difference was." Despite the disappointing result, players on both sides are focused on their respective goals as the season approaches its climax. The Blues are looking to cement their playoff position, while the Blackhawks strive for consistency and pride in their game.
As the Blues build on their current momentum, they look to replicate this performance against the Predators, while the Blackhawks need to bounce back against the Flyers. Both teams understand the stakes as they head into their next matches, each driven by their own aspirations and challenges ahead.
