Monday Blueprint - Wild Card Push, Dalibor Dvorsky Debut, and Game Recaps - March 17-23, 2025

The St. Louis Blues wrapped up an eventful week from March 17-23, marked by key victories, roster moves, and significant announcements. With a strong push for the playoffs, the Blues solidified their standing while celebrating individual achievements and reflecting on a former player’s legacy. Here’s a look at the week that was.

This Week’s Headlines

- St. Louis Blues Reach and Claim Western Conference Wild Card Spot: The Blues’ recent surge has paid off, securing them a coveted wild card position in the Western Conference standings as of March 23, boosting their postseason hopes.

- Jimmy Snuggerud Named Candidate for Hobey Baker Award: Blues prospect Jimmy Snuggerud, a standout at the University of Minnesota, earned a nomination for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, recognizing the top NCAA men’s hockey player. The 20-year-old forward’s impressive scoring and playmaking have drawn praise, positioning him as a future star for St. Louis.

- Former St. Louis Blues Forward Patrick Maroon Announces Retirement: Patrick Maroon, a St. Louis native and fan favorite during his 2018-19 Stanley Cup-winning tenure with the Blues, will retire at the end of the 2024-25 season, closing a gritty 15-year NHL career.

- St. Louis Blues Recall Top Forward Prospect Dalibor Dvorsky: The Blues bolstered their lineup by recalling Dalibor Dvorsky from the Springfield Thunderbirds. The 2023 No. 10 pick has dazzled in the AHL with 20 goals and 43 points. 

Recap of the Week (March 17-23)

- Tuesday, March 18: Blues 4, Predators 1

The Blues kicked off the week with a commanding 4-1 win over Nashville at home. Jordan Kyrou led the charge with two goals, while Jake Neighbours and Robert Thomas added tallies. Jordan Binnington stopped 28 shots, stifling the Predators’ attack in a dominant performance that set the tone for the week.

- Thursday, March 20: Blues 4, Canucks 3

St. Louis defeated Vancouver 4-3 in overtime, extending their winning streak to four games. Philip Broberg’s game-winning goal at 3:42 into overtime secured the victory. Dylan Holloway and Zack Bolduc also scored for the Blues, while Brock Boeser and Kiefer Sherwood found the back of the net for Vancouver. Jordan Binnington made 15 saves, while Kevin Lankinen stopped 25 shots despite a strong comeback. The Blues moved two points ahead in the wild card race.

- Saturday, March 22: Blues 4, Blackhawks 1

The Blues defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 at Enterprise Center, securing their fifth straight win. Alexey Toropchenko and Nathan Walker each had a goal and an assist, while Robert Thomas and Zack Bolduc also scored. Binnington made 27 saves for the Blues, who swept the season series against Chicago. Ilya Mikheyev scored the Blackhawks’ lone goal shorthanded. 

- Sunday, March 23: Blues 4, Predators 1

The Blues beat Nashville 4-1 at Enterprise Center, pushing their win streak to six. Alexandre Texier scored his fifth goal of the season, while Justin Faulk netted his fourth. Dylan Holloway, extending his point streak to seven games, and debutant Dalibor Dvorsky, who played 10:40, also scored. Jordan Binnington stopped 31 of 32 shots.

Top Performers of the Week

- Dylan Holloway: Leading Blues point producer with one goal and seven points in four games. A plus-five rating while averaging 18 minutes of ice time, Holloway notched six points at even strength. His three-assist night against Nashville on March 18 was a highlight, extending his point streak to seven games.

- Jordan Kyrou: Led the team with three goals and five points, boasting a plus-four rating. Kyrou scored his trio of goals on 12 shots, all at even strength, while averaging 16:23 of ice time. His scoring touch fueled the Blues’ winning streak.

- Justin Faulk: The defenseman tallied two goals and five points in four games, with four points at even strength. Faulk made his five shots count, scoring twice, and contributed defensively to the Blues’ success throughout the week.

- Nathan Walker (Honorable Mention): The Thunder from Down Under brought grit with 15 penalty minutes, showcasing his fight and dedication. A true blue-collar player, Walker’s tenacity embodied the Blues’ work ethic this week.

- Joel Hofer & Jordan Binnington: The goaltending duo went 4-0, ranking in the NHL’s top six for save percentage. Hofer stopped 48 of 50 shots (.960 SV%) earlier in the week, while Binnington’s three wins and 31 saves on Sunday anchored the Blues’ playoff push.

Wild Card Push Update

The St. Louis Blues have solidified their playoff position with 81 points in 77 games, holding the second wild card spot. They trail the Minnesota Wild (85 points, 70 games) by four points. Calgary (77 points, 69 games), Vancouver (76 points, 70 games), and Utah (75 points, 70 games) remain in pursuit, making every game critical.

Upcoming Schedule

- Tuesday, March 25: Montreal Canadiens at 7:00 PM CST 

The Blues host a struggling Canadiens team who are 5-1-4 in their last 10 games. Watch for Cole Caufield, Montreal’s dynamic sniper, who could test St. Louis’ defense with his speed and shot. In seven career games against the Blues, Caufield has six goals and eight points. 

- Thursday, March 27: At Nashville Predators at 7:00 PM CST 

Another Central Division clash in Nashville. After a spirited Sunday matchup against these two that saw a combined 61 penalty minutes issued, this rematch could see another few heavy hits with the Predators doing everything they can to disrupt the Blues playoff aspirations. 

- Saturday, March 29: At Colorado Avalanche at 3:30 PM CST 

The Blues face a powerhouse Avalanche squad. Nathan MacKinnon, a Hart Trophy contender with 105 points in 71 games played, will challenge St. Louis with his elite playmaking abilities.

With a perfect week in the books, including three 4-1 victories against Central division opponents, the Blues head into a pivotal stretch with momentum on their side. Stay tuned as they battle to lock in their playoff berth!