Oskar Sundqvist wasted no time making an impact after his return to the lineup.
In his first game back after missing six contests with a lower-body injury, Sundqvist contributed a goal and an assist, leading the St. Louis Blues to a 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night.
Sundqvist, who had scored two goals in his previous game against Tampa Bay before getting hurt, picked up right where he left off, continuing his offensive surge.
“I felt pretty good out there,” Sundqvist said. “The lungs weren’t great, so I had to keep the shifts short in the third.”
Blues coach Craig Berube praised Sundqvist’s determination on the ice, describing him as an effort player.
“He plays an aggressive game and attacks,” Berube said. “He wills his way through traffic, to the net, and scores goals. That’s his game.”
Mackenzie MacEachern, Jaden Schwartz, and Robert Thomas also scored for the Blues, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Goalie Jordan Binnington made 27 saves, rebounding from a tough outing against Toronto in his previous start.
Max Pacioretty and William Carrier scored for the Golden Knights, who lost for the third time in four games. Marc-Andre Fleury made 25 saves in his 820th career game, tying Sean Burke for 14th on the NHL’s all-time list for games played by a goaltender.
“Too many missed chances, and we were too loose in the second period,” said Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant. “That cost us the game.”
The Blues took control with two goals in a 39-second span late in the second period. Schwartz put St. Louis ahead 3-2 with a rebound goal off Brayden Schenn’s shot, and moments later, Thomas beat Fleury with a sharp-angle shot that deflected off the goalie’s arm.
“I think everyone thought I was going to pass,” Thomas said. “I saw him slide off the post and was able to sneak it by him.”
Fleury acknowledged he’d like to have that one back.
“They put bodies in front and took shots,” Fleury said. “That fourth goal is on me.”
MacEachern opened the scoring for the Blues at 4:52 of the first period, finishing a pass from Jacob de la Rose. However, Pacioretty tied it just 25 seconds later, scoring his own rebound on a breakaway for his second goal in as many games.
Carrier gave Vegas a 2-1 lead with 7:32 left in the first, tucking home a rebound from Nate Schmidt’s shot. It was Carrier’s first goal in 14 games.
Sundqvist tied the game early in the second, deflecting Alex Pietrangelo’s shot past Fleury for his ninth goal of the season.
“It feels like I’m in the right spot at the right time,” Sundqvist said. “It was kind of a lucky goal, just a reaction to Petro’s shot.”
Game Notes:
- The Blues avoided a four-game losing streak without earning a point for the first time since February 2018.
- Vegas center Paul Stastny, a former Blue, has 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 26 games against his old team.
- St. Louis activated Sundqvist from injured reserve and assigned Nathan Walker to the AHL.
- Vegas defenseman Jon Merrill replaced Nicolas Hague, who missed the game due to illness.
UP NEXT:
- Golden Knights: Travel to face the Dallas Stars on Saturday.
- Blues: Host the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday.