Hofer Shines as Blues Defeat Sabres 3-0
Joel Hofer recorded 27 saves to secure his third NHL shutout Thursday night, leading the St. Louis Blues to a 3-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. The Blues received a short-handed goal and two assists from Mathieu Joseph in the win.
Key Contributions and Team Performance
- Justin Faulk contributed a goal and an assist.
- Nick Bjugstad also scored for St. Louis, marking only their second win in 10 games (2-6-2).
- This marked the Blues' first shutout since their season opener.
Following a heavy 6-1 loss at Washington the night before, Coach Jim Montgomery held a mandatory morning skate and benched top scorer Jordan Kyrou in an effort to revive the team’s performance.
Sabres’ Streak Ends Amid Goalie Struggles
The Sabres’ seven-game point streak (3-0-4) was snapped, suffering their first shutout since the opening game. Their goalie, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, made 14 saves in his third start of the season after returning from a preseason lower-body injury.
"Joseph stole the puck from Jack Quinn in the defensive zone and beat Luukkonen from the high slot on a partial breakaway 12:38 into the game."
Earlier in the period, Hofer made a key glove save on Josh Doan during a penalty kill that led to Joseph’s goal. The backup goalie’s record improved to 2-3-0, despite having allowed 20 goals over his past five games.
Game Summary
- The Blues took the lead early in a period where they managed only four shots on goal.
- Joseph’s short-handed goal proved decisive.
Overall, St. Louis demonstrated resilience and strong goaltending to shut down a Buffalo team that had been on a steady run.
Author’s Summary
Joel Hofer's standout goaltending helped the struggling Blues claim a vital 3-0 shutout win over the Sabres, ending Buffalo’s point streak and boosting St. Louis’s morale.
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