Blues snap OT/shootout drought as Jordan Kyrou’s shootout goal and Joel Hofer’s hot form lift St. Louis to a 3-2 victory over Tampa Bay. For bettors: consider backing the Blues in tight-game moneylines and Hofer for wins/anytime goalie props, and favor lower total goals in matchups where St. Louis’ goaltending and PK have recently tightened up.
Blues Finally Break Overtime/Shootout Hoodoo with 3-2 Shootout Win
In the NHL, St. Louis beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in a shootout after Jordan Kyrou converted the decisive attempt and goalie Joel Hofer stopped all three Lightning shooters. The victory ended the Blues’ season-long struggles in extra time — they entered the game 0-6 in three-on-three overtime and 0-2 in shootouts — and marked St. Louis’ first OT/SO win of the season.
Hofer Stands Tall as Blues Hold Off High-Octane Lightning
Hofer made 34 saves through regulation and overtime and then denied Gage Goncalves, Jake Guentzel and Nikita Kucherov in the shootout. Both Tampa Bay goals had come on the power play (a five-on-three and a five-on-four), but Hofer’s .929 save percentage and recent string of results have given the Blues renewed confidence between the pipes.
Kyrou’s Composed Finish Caps a Big Night
Jordan Kyrou, who had struggled with shootout conversions in the past, executed a practiced move to beat Andrei Vasilevskiy and win the duel. Kyrou’s success provided timely offense after St. Louis controlled much of the three-on-three overtime frame and outshot Tampa Bay in that period.
Key Takeaways and Momentum
St. Louis followed a 3-0 win over Carolina earlier in the week, giving the Blues back-to-back victories over division leaders and a chance to string together a three-game winning streak heading into a road trip. Coach comments emphasized the team’s competitive spirit and effort, while also noting areas for execution improvement on both ends of the ice.
Overtime and Shootout Notes
The Blues showed markedly better three-on-three play than in prior losses, outshooting Tampa Bay 4-2 in OT. A change in shootout strategy — electing to shoot second — paired with a late practice emphasis on shootouts contributed to the win. Kyrou’s shootout conversion improved his career percentage and Hofer shed the label of shootout underdog with key saves.
What This Means for Bettors
St. Louis’ win highlights two actionable betting angles: - Goalie/Matchup Edge: Hofer’s hot stretch makes the Blues a more attractive moneyline pick in close games and an option for anytime goalie win props. - Totals and Late-Game Markets: With both Tampa Bay goals coming on the power play and St. Louis showing stronger defensive structure and goaltending, consider under on totals in tight matchups and live bets favoring the Blues in overtime/shootout scenarios.
Looking Ahead
The Blues begin a three-game road trip against the Edmonton Oilers next, a game that will test whether St. Louis can sustain this recent confidence and Hofer’s strong play against elite scoring talent. Continued discipline on special teams and sharper offensive execution will determine if the Blues can extend their streak.
Ex-Rangers goalie drafted before Shesterkin recalled again by Lightning
The Blues won 3-2 over the Tampa Bay Lighting in a shootout, their first victory of the season in OT.
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