The St. Louis Blues exorcised the demons of their season-opening shutout loss with a resilient 4-2 victory over the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday night. Jake Neighbours emerged as the hero in his hometown region, scoring twice to lead the Blues’ offensive charge and help the team secure their first win of the season. After a disappointing 5-0 defeat to the Minnesota Wild in their opener, the Blues showed the kind of character and determination that head coach Jim Montgomery had been searching for.
Neighbours delivers emotional performance in St. Louis Blues vs Calgary Flames game recap 3-2
Jake Neighbours’ two-goal performance was the centerpiece of St. Louis’ victory, but the context surrounding his achievement added layers of significance. The 22-year-old forward had recently experienced the loss of a close friend, making his homecoming performance all the more poignant. Head coach Jim Montgomery acknowledged the emotional burden his young forward had been carrying, noting that Neighbours was dealing with personal grief while trying to help the team rebound from their disappointing opener.
“He was really tenacious,” Montgomery said of Neighbours. “He’s had a really good friend pass away (recently), so it was an emotional moment for him, not just because it’s his hometown, but he’s been dealing with a little bit of loss and that’s not easy. He’s a tremendous character kid, someone that I’m sure will wear a letter [for the Blues] one day.”
Neighbours’ first goal came at 12:41 of the second period, breaking a 1-0 deficit and igniting the Blues’ comeback. Taking a feed from Robert Thomas, Neighbours displayed excellent hand-eye coordination as he backhanded the puck through Dustin Wolf’s legs to tie the game at 1-1. It marked his first NHL goal scored at the Saddledome, making the moment even more special for the Alberta native.
His second goal proved to be the game-winner, arriving at 11:07 of the third period. Neighbours positioned himself perfectly in front of the net and redirected Colton Parayko’s slap shot past Wolf to give the Blues a 3-2 lead. The goal showcased Neighbours’ willingness to battle in the dirty areas of the ice, a quality that has defined his game since breaking into the NHL.
“(It’s the) first time I scored here in the NHL, so it was pretty special,” Neighbours said after the game. “And just special having my family and friends here and being able to perform for them, get a win in front of them is really nice.”
The performance earned Neighbours the team’s player of the game honors, receiving the ceremonial Bernie Federko stick—a tradition that carries significant weight in the Blues organization. For a player dealing with personal tragedy while trying to help his team find its footing, the recognition was well-deserved.
Power play battles define momentum in St. Louis Blues vs Calgary Flames game recap 3-2
Special teams play proved crucial in determining the flow of this contest, with both teams finding success on the power play while also surrendering crucial goals. Matt Coronato opened the scoring for Calgary with a power-play marker at 14:49 of the first period, giving the Flames an early advantage. His shot from the left of the net deflected off Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker and past Joel Hofer, who was making his first start of the season.
The Blues responded with their own power-play success in the second period when Robert Thomas delivered a crucial goal at 14:25. Taking a pass from rookie Jimmy Snuggerud, Thomas unleashed a wrist shot that beat Wolf over his left shoulder, giving St. Louis a 2-1 lead. The goal showcased Thomas’ elite shooting ability and his chemistry with Snuggerud, who was playing in just his second NHL game.
However, the lead lasted a mere 32 seconds. Coronato struck again for Calgary, taking a long stretch pass from Kevin Bahl and firing a wrist shot from the right circle that beat Hofer glove-side to tie the game at 2-2. The rapid-fire exchange demonstrated how quickly momentum can shift in NHL games, particularly when special teams are involved.
Calgary’s power play struggled throughout the early season without injured winger Jonathan Huberdeau, converting just 2 of 14 opportunities through their first three games. Despite Huberdeau’s absence due to a preseason injury, Coronato provided the offensive spark the Flames desperately needed. Flames coach Ryan Huska praised his young forward’s performance, noting that Coronato was “around the puck a lot tonight” and displayed the shooting mentality that makes him dangerous.
“Matt’s our shooter,” Huska said. “I thought he was good. That was the Matt that we’re used to seeing.”
St. Louis’ special teams success proved more impactful in the final analysis, as their power-play goal from Thomas helped swing momentum in a crucial second period. The Blues’ ability to capitalize on their opportunities while limiting Calgary’s chances at even strength ultimately made the difference in a tightly contested game that featured several lead changes.
Hofer bounces back as Blues’ goaltending choice pays off in St. Louis Blues vs Calgary Flames game recap 3-2
The decision to start Joel Hofer over Jordan Binnington proved prescient for the Blues’ coaching staff. After Binnington surrendered five goals on 21 shots in the season opener against Minnesota, Montgomery opted for a change between the pipes. Hofer responded with a solid 27-save performance that gave his team a chance to compete throughout the game.
Hofer’s performance wasn’t spectacular, but it was exactly what the Blues needed—steady, reliable goaltending that kept them in the game during Calgary’s push periods. He made several key saves in the third period as the Flames attempted to mount a comeback, showing composure beyond his years. The 24-year-old netminder has been patient in waiting for opportunities behind Binnington, and he seized this chance to prove he can be counted on when called upon.
“The boys battled hard,” Hofer said after the game. “It was a greasy road win. After our last game, we didn’t like how we played, so it was a huge bounce-back for us. Hopefully, we can keep this momentum going.”
On the opposite end, Dustin Wolf made 24 saves for Calgary but couldn’t quite match Hofer’s performance when it mattered most. Wolf, who has been thrust into a starting role for the Flames this season, showed flashes of brilliance but also demonstrated areas where improvement is needed. The puck that Neighbours backhanded through his pads was a save that NHL goalies are expected to make, and the deflections he allowed highlighted the challenges young netminders face when dealing with traffic in front of the net.
The goaltending matchup featured two young netminders trying to establish themselves as reliable NHL starters. Similar to how the Edmonton Oilers fall 3-2 to Blues demonstrated St. Louis’ ability to capitalize on goaltending vulnerabilities, Hofer’s performance showed that the Blues have depth between the pipes that can be leveraged throughout the season.
Calgary’s inability to solve Hofer in the third period proved costly. The Flames generated several quality chances but couldn’t find the equalizer, allowing St. Louis to extend their lead with Pius Suter’s insurance goal. For a team that had been outscored 9-3 in their previous two games following their season-opening victory, the offensive struggles continued to mount.
Blues’ historical dominance over Calgary continues in St. Louis Blues vs Calgary Flames game recap 3-2
The victory extended one of the most lopsided recent rivalries in the NHL, as the Blues improved their record to 11-1-0 in their last 12 games against the Flames. More impressively, St. Louis has now won six consecutive games in Calgary, turning Scotiabank Saddledome into a virtual second home. This dominance speaks to a psychological advantage the Blues seem to hold over the Flames, regardless of roster changes or coaching adjustments.
Historical statistics reveal that St. Louis has earned a point in their first road game of the season for 10 consecutive seasons, joining elite company. Only the Philadelphia Flyers (2015-25) and Montreal Canadiens (1963-74, 11 straight seasons) have achieved similar feats in NHL history. This remarkable consistency demonstrates the organization’s ability to prepare teams for early-season road challenges, an often-overlooked aspect of successful franchises.
Individual milestones also punctuated the game. Colton Parayko’s assist on Neighbours’ game-winning goal was his 296th point with St. Louis, tying him with Rob Ramage for fourth-most by a defenseman in Blues franchise history. At 32 years old, Parayko continues to be a cornerstone of the Blues’ blue line, contributing both offensively and defensively while mentoring younger players like Tucker.
For Calgary, the loss represented a continuation of their early-season struggles. After defeating the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in a shootout in their season opener, the Flames have now been outscored 9-3 in their subsequent two games. The defensive breakdowns and inability to finish scoring chances in crucial moments have plagued Ryan Huska’s team through three games.
“Similar to Vancouver (5-1 loss to the Canucks on Thursday), I liked our first couple periods,” Huska said. “I thought there was a lot of good things there. We didn’t finish our chances when we needed to earlier in the game and I think that because of that, they were able to hang around.”
Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson echoed his coach’s sentiments, noting that while the first two periods showed promise, the team couldn’t maintain that level of play when it mattered most. The pattern of strong starts followed by disappointing finishes has become a concerning trend for Calgary, one that will need to be addressed quickly if they hope to remain competitive in a tough Western Conference.
Faceoff dominance and depth scoring seal victory for St. Louis
Beyond the headline performances, the Blues’ victory was built on fundamental hockey excellence. St. Louis dominated in the faceoff circle, winning 62% of draws overall and an impressive 70% of offensive zone faceoffs. This control allowed the Blues to dictate play, maintain possession in critical areas, and limit Calgary’s transition opportunities.
The importance of faceoff success cannot be overstated in modern NHL hockey. By winning draws in the offensive zone, the Blues were able to establish sustained pressure on Wolf and the Flames’ defense. This pressure eventually led to scoring chances and goals, as Calgary’s defenders were forced to spend extended time in their own zone. The Blues’ centers, particularly Thomas, excelled in these situations, using their technical skill and anticipation to gain advantages at the dot.
Depth scoring also played a crucial role in St. Louis’ success. Pius Suter, playing in just his second game with the Blues after signing as a free agent, netted the insurance goal that effectively sealed the victory. His deflection of Tucker’s point shot at 13:33 of the third period gave St. Louis a two-goal cushion and took the wind out of Calgary’s comeback attempt.
Suter’s early contribution provides optimism for the Blues’ depth scoring potential this season. Having players beyond the top lines who can contribute offensively will be essential for St. Louis as they navigate a long season. The connection between Suter and Tucker on the goal also highlighted the importance of defensive contributions to the offense, as Tucker’s willingness to jump into the play created the scoring opportunity.
The upcoming schedule presents different challenges for both teams. The Blues traveled to face the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night, while Calgary hosted the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. For St. Louis, building on this momentum will be critical as they look to establish consistency early in the season. For Calgary, finding ways to finish games strong and capitalize on scoring chances must become priorities if they hope to turn their season around.
As the dust settles on this St. Louis Blues vs Calgary Flames game recap 3-2, the narrative centers on resilience and character. The Blues demonstrated the ability to bounce back from adversity, both in terms of their season-opening loss and within the game itself. Jake Neighbours’ emotional performance provided the spark, while depth contributions from players like Suter and solid goaltending from Hofer gave St. Louis the foundation needed to secure two points on the road. Looking ahead, the Blues will need to harness this momentum and prove that their opening-night disaster was an aberration rather than a sign of deeper issues. With upcoming matchups including a return engagement when the Calgary Flames face the St. Louis Blues in November, both teams will have opportunities to refine their approaches and build toward their season goals.
For more detailed coverage and statistics from this game, the official NHL recap provides comprehensive insights into the matchup, while ESPN’s game analysis offers additional perspective on the key moments that shaped this early-season contest. The Blues’ ability to extend their dominance over Calgary while simultaneously addressing their own early-season concerns suggests a team with the mental fortitude to compete in what promises to be a challenging Western Conference race.
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.