ST. LOUIS (AP) — Philip Broberg scored 3:42 into overtime, lifting the St. Louis Blues to a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on March 20, 2025. The win marked the Blues' fourth consecutive victory and was essential as they solidified their position for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.
The excitement started with a strong showing from the Blues, as Zack Bolduc opened the scoring 15:47 into the second period, floating a point shot that deflected off a Canucks player and past goalie Kevin Lankinen. Vancouver answered back quickly in the third period when Kiefer Sherwood equalized just 1:11 into the frame, executing a shot that eluded St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington.
Things intensified as Brock Boeser scored twice for the Canucks, with his first goal coming at 6:35 in the third period. He fired a sharp shot from the right wing that became a memorable moment as it marked his 200th career goal in the NHL. The energy in the arena was palpable, with the crowd rallying behind the local favorite.
However, the Blues were not to be overshadowed. Tyler Tucker tied it again at 2-2 when he found the back of the net at 9:28 of the third period, just seconds before Dylan Holloway put the Blues ahead 3-2, driving the net and finishing a pass from Jordan Kyrou. These two goals came just 24 seconds apart, showcasing the wild momentum shifts that characterized this gripping match.
With less than four seconds left in regulation, Boeser struck again under intense pressure, threading a shot past Binnington after receiving a cross-ice feed from center Elias Pettersson. This last-minute goal tied the game at 3-3 and left fans on the edge of their seats as the match headed into overtime.
Overtime proved to be a test of endurance and skill, with St. Louis narrowly missing several opportunities to claim the win. Justin Faulk had his shot clang off the post just 2:15 into the extra period, and a near-goal from Kyrou was negated after a video review confirmed the puck had not fully crossed the goal line.
Eventually, it was Broberg who sealed the game, converting a backhand shot off a crucial pass from Brayden Schenn. The goal elicited a roar from the home crowd and left Vancouver one point behind St. Louis in the race for the playoffs.
The victory is particularly sweet for the Blues as they have hit their stride since returning from the Four Nations Face-Off, winning 10 of their last 13 games (10-2-1). This game also marked the first time since November 6, 2024, that the Blues found themselves in playoff positions.
Vancouver, despite a commendable performance, finds itself 8-7-1 in its last 16 games, continuing their struggle on the ice. The Canucks will look to regain momentum as they prepare to visit the New York Rangers on Saturday, March 22, before returning home. Their captain, Quinn Hughes, did achieve a personal milestone, recording his 50th assist of the season on Boeser's second goal.
For St. Louis, the upward trajectory continues as they prepare to host their rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks, on the same day. Both teams are desperate for points as the regular season winds down, making this victory over Vancouver a pivotal moment in their playoff aspirations.
As the hockey season progresses, fans can expect further electric matchups. The thrilling nature of the game on March 20 serves as a reminder of the excitement that the NHL brings to arenas across North America and the fierce competition that each game harbors.
