Hofer makes 27 saves as Blues blank Sabres 3-0
Joel Hofer recorded 27 saves Thursday night, earning his third NHL shutout as the St. Louis Blues defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-0. Mathieu Joseph contributed with a short-handed goal and two assists, while Justin Faulk added a goal and an assist. Nick Bjugstad also found the net, helping St. Louis end a tough stretch with only two wins in their last ten games.
The victory marked the Blues’ first shutout since their season opener. Following a 6-1 defeat in Washington the previous night, coach Jim Montgomery conducted a mandatory morning skate before the second game of the back-to-back series and decided to scratch top scorer Jordan Kyrou to energize the struggling lineup.
The Sabres, who entered the game on a seven-game point streak (3-0-4), were shut out for the first time since their own season opener. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 14 saves in his third game this season after returning from a preseason lower-body injury.
St. Louis gained the lead late in the first period, despite registering only four shots on goal. Joseph capitalized on a defensive-zone takeaway from Jack Quinn and scored from the high slot on a partial breakaway at 12:38. Earlier in the penalty kill that led to Joseph’s goal, Hofer stopped Josh Doan’s close-range attempt. With the performance, the Blues’ backup goaltender improved his record to 2-3-0, bouncing back after allowing 20 goals across his previous five starts.
“Hofer gloved Josh Doan’s shot from inside the crease earlier on the penalty kill that produced Joseph’s goal.”
Author’s Summary
Hofer’s stellar goaltending and Joseph’s short-handed effort powered the Blues to their first shutout since the opener, halting Buffalo’s seven-game point streak.
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