Joel Hofer delivered a standout performance with a career-high 39 saves, propelling the St. Louis Blues to a 2-1 win against the Dallas Stars at Enterprise Center on Wednesday. This victory marked the Blues’ third consecutive win and their fifth in the last six games, improving their record to 18-15-1.
Hofer, who previously made 37 saves in a win against the Florida Panthers, was a crucial factor in the Blues’ success. “It was a good challenge,” Hofer reflected on his performance against a divisional rival. His efforts were pivotal in maintaining the lead for the Blues, who have seen a resurgence under coach Drew Bannister.
Jake Neighbours opened the scoring for St. Louis with a goal at 18:08 of the first period, while Marco Scandella doubled the lead in the second period. Scott Perunovich contributed with two assists, showcasing his playmaking skills.
The Stars, who came into the game with a three-game winning streak and a six-game point streak, struggled to find their rhythm. Jason Robertson managed to score for Dallas, but goalie Scott Wedgewood’s 28 saves weren’t enough to fend off the Blues’ offensive efforts.
Dallas coach Peter DeBoer recognized the challenge of overcoming an early deficit, stating, “You know, a 2-0 hole, that was the game.” Despite the Stars’ efforts, including a strong third-period performance with 15 shots, Hofer’s exceptional goaltending proved too much to overcome.
The victory not only highlights Hofer’s growing confidence and skill as a goaltender but also underscores the Blues’ ability to bounce back and find ways to win crucial games, especially in the tightly contested Central Division. With their improved form, the Blues are showing they are a team to be reckoned with as the season progresses.
