Logan Mailloux breaks through for his first goal with the Blues as St. Louis edges the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 at Enterprise Center. The defenseman, who joined the Blues in a July 1 trade from Montreal, had just one assist over 19 games entering Friday’s matchup, but his tally opened the scoring and helped fuel a tense victory.
From the opening whistle, you could feel the energy in the arena as Mailloux snapped a wrist shot past Arti Knight from the left face-off circle after a neat feed from Thomas, with Jake Neighbours providing a key screen. Fellow newcomer Matt Luff followed with his first goal in Blues colors, finishing a slot pass from Robby Fabbri to push the lead to 2-0 in the first period.
Chicago countered, as Wyatt Kaiser fired a high-slot shot past Blues goaltender Joel Hofer at 15:50 to make it 2-1. The Blackhawks kept pressing, but Justin Faulk restored the two-goal cushion for St. Louis at 8:57 of the second period, finishing a setup from Tyler Tucker at the bottom of the right circle.
Chicago cut the deficit again when Andre Burakovsky scored at 14:08 of the third after a deflection from Bedard’s poke check created the chance, trimming the gap to 3-2. Bedard finished the night with two assists, extending his multi-point game tally this season, but a late misstep in the final seconds left him needing medical evaluation after contact with Brayden Schenn at the final horn. He departed with his right shoulder captured during the awkward scramble following the whistle and was ruled out for Saturday’s game with Detroit, with an update anticipated Monday.
Key notes and reactions:
- Mailloux’s first Blues goal came in a moment of opportunity created by a delayed call, highlighting the value of hustling to capitalize on any open lane.
- Luff’s goal marked his first with St. Louis since joining as a free agent, a meaningful milestone after a long gap since his last NHL goal in 2023.
- Blues coach Jim Montgomery praised the team for their connected play and willingness to battle for each other, even as mistakes were inevitable in a tight contest.
- Andre Burakovsky contributed a goal and an assist for Chicago, which has now dropped three of its last four games, with Spencer Knight turning aside 23 shots.
Team notes: St. Louis improved to 12-14-7, snapping a two-game skid, while Chicago moved to 13-12-6 on the season. Bedard’s 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) through 31 games remain a bright spot for the Blackhawks, even as Tuesday’s head-to-head against Detroit looms.
What this means going forward: Mailloux’s breakout performance could spark smoother chemistry on a Blues blueline that has leaned on depth and resilience in recent weeks. Bedard’s continued production is encouraging for Chicago, but his durability will be the deciding factor in how far the team can climb in a crowded standings picture.
Question for readers: Do you view Mailloux’s breakthrough as a turning point for St. Louis, or is it more a product of this particular matchup and lineup? Share your thoughts below.
