Brandon Saad ignited the St. Louis Blues with his explosive performance, netting his third career hat trick and leading the team to a commanding 4-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Friday night at the Enterprise Center.
The game marked Saad's first hat trick since 2017 and came at the perfect time as he ended a 19-game goal drought. The victory also allowed the Blues to boast their first two-game cushion above .500 this season, improving their record to 19-17-4. This win was particularly sweet for the Blues, who were still smarting from an earlier 8-1 drubbing by the same Senators team earlier this season.
Brayden Schenn opened the scoring for the Blues at 7:26 of the first period with what turned out to be the game-winning goal. After taking advantage of a turnover by Senators’ defenseman Thomas Chabot, Dylan Holloway sent Schenn on a breakaway where he smoothly slid the puck past goalie Anton Forsberg.
Brandon Saad quickly followed with his first goal of the night, charging down the right side to intercept the puck from Ottawa’s Nick Jensen, resulting in another breakaway opportunity. Saad, with determination, scored on Forsberg with 4:10 left on the clock. This was Saad's first goal after 20 games, making it all the more significant as he put the Blues up 2-0.
Entering the second period, the Senators came out more aggressive, outshooting the Blues early on. Nevertheless, the home team put on strong defensive pressure. Saad demonstrated his scoring prowess again, netting his second goal at 14:15. He finished off a well-executed play alongside Pavel Buchnevich and Robert Thomas. Saad’s shot went through Forsberg, extending the lead to 3-0.
There was drama at the end of the second period when the Senators appeared to get on the scoreboard, but the Blues successfully challenged the play for offsides, keeping the score intact going to the final period.
The third period began with the Blues taking a penalty, which raised concerns among fans due to the Senators' ninth-ranked power play. But Jordan Binnington was up to the task, stopping two key shots and showing exceptional reflexes as he denied Ottawa scoring opportunities.
With just under two minutes left, Saad completed the natural hat trick, scoring on another two-on-one rush. He took the pass from Colton Parayko, outskated the defender, and fired the puck over Forsberg’s shoulder to give the Blues a 4-0 lead. The crowd erupted as hats flew onto the ice, celebrating Saad’s remarkable feat.
Jordan Binnington's performance, highlighted by 20 saves, added to his record, granting him his 18th career NHL shutout and setting the stage for the Blues to continue their strong form. Binnington was praised for his consistent play, defending the crease efficiently throughout the game.
Despite the loss, the Senators remain optimistic as they close out their challenging nine-game road trip. Ottawa, now at 19-17-2, will seek to bounce back when they head to Detroit to face the Red Wings.
“We were just slow to start, and that's it,” said Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot after the game. “The chances we gave them were Grade A's. We would have wanted to play much more sharply than we did.”
The Blues, meanwhile, relish the momentum gained from this victory as they gear up for their next game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
This match against the Senators showcased the potential of the Blues, needing not just strong offensive plays but also excellent teamwork and resilient defense to secure victory. The upcoming games will certainly put their gains to the test.