Rookie Braeden Bowman recorded both his first NHL goal and first assist, helping spark the Vegas Golden Knights to a much-needed 4–1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night and ending Vegas’ four-game losing streak.
Brandon Saad, Noah Hanifin, and Tomas Hertl also scored for the Golden Knights, while Akira Schmid turned aside 22 shots in the win.
Philip Broberg scored the lone goal for St. Louis late in the third period. Joel Hofer kept the Blues competitive with 29 saves.
Saad, facing his former team, opened the scoring at 12:52 of the first period — his first goal of the season — after joining Vegas in January following a mutual contract termination with St. Louis.
Just over two minutes later, Bowman found himself wide-open on the left side of the crease and tapped in a power-play marker at 14:58. The 20-year-old rookie also picked up an assist on Saad’s goal, giving him a two-point night in just his second NHL appearance.
Hanifin stretched the lead to 3–0 only 36 seconds into the second period with a long shot from the blue line, his first goal of the year.
Hertl added insurance on a breakaway at 11:20 of the third to make it 4–0 before Broberg ended Schmid’s shutout bid at 15:57.
The Blues’ offensive struggles continued, mustering just three wins in their last 14 games (3-7-4) and being outscored 73–52 on the season. Their first shot of the second period didn’t come until 12:13 — ending an 18:36 drought.
Two referees officiated the game, and only one linesman after Brad Kovachik was sidelined with an injury.
Up Next:
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Golden Knights: Visit Minnesota to face the Wild on Sunday.
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Blues: Travel to Toronto to face the Maple Leafs on Tuesday night.