Blues snap long goal drought with four goals against Bruins

Robert Thomas and Philip Broberg combined for four goals and four assists to lead the St. Louis Blues past the Boston Bruins 4-1 on Thursday night. The victory ended a difficult recent home record for the Blues, who had gone 0-3-3 in their last six meetings with Boston since the 2019 Stanley Cup Final.

The game began with a Boston advantage. James Hagens deflected a shot by Casey Mittelstadt to put the Bruins ahead 1-0 at 5:28 of the first period. Jeremy Swayman stopped 14 shots for the visitors, keeping the score close into the second period.

St. Louis answered with two power-play goals to take control. Jimmy Snuggerud tied the game at 15:43 of the first period with a one-timer from the left faceoff circle. That goal broke a 138-minute, 38-second scoreless streak for the Blues. Thomas assisted on the play, passing Brian Sutter for sole possession of fourth place on the franchise assist list.

Broberg extended the lead to 2-1 at 5:17 of the second period. He received a pass from Connor McMichael behind the net and scored with a wrist shot from the top of the slot that went just inside the right post. Thomas added another goal at 12:08 of the second period, beating Swayman with a high wrist shot from the high slot after taking the puck from Justin Barron at the blue line.

Jake Neighbours sealed the win with a power-play goal at 12:42 of the third period. Goalie Joel Hofer made 31 saves for St. Louis. The Blues will travel to Detroit to face the Red Wings on Saturday, while Boston hosts the Blackhawks.

The result improved the Blues' record in this specific head-to-head home series, ending a stretch where they had failed to win any of the last six games against the Bruins at the Enterprise Center since June 2019.