March 6, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; St. Louis center Robert Thomas (18) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a second period goal against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images The new-look St. Louis Blues will face the Pacific Division-leading Ducks on Sunday in Anaheim, coming off a season-high three straight wins.
St. Louis won 3-2 in overtime Friday in San Jose, just hours after team captain center Brayden Shen and alternate captain defenseman Justin Faulk were dealt before the league’s trade deadline earlier in the day.
Robert Thomas continued the Blues streak with two goals, including the winner in the first minute of overtime. Despite playing in just 45 games, the center leads the team with 15 goals and 39 points and is tied with Pavel Buchnevich for the team lead in assists (24).
Rookie Jimmy Snuggerud also scored for the first time since the Olympic break. The winger has 11 goals and 27 points in 50 games.
They are on a three-game winning streak against teams at or near a playoff spot. St. Louis entered Saturday with the fourth-worst record in the Western Conference, which is why the Blues were selling at the trade deadline.
“I think this shows that our team is here to stay,” Snuggerud said after the win. “I think we just come to the rink determined to beat someone, whether we beat a playoff team or not, and try to execute.”
Blues goalkeeper Jordan Binnington played Friday, his second game since the Olympic break. The Canadian netminder stopped 23 of 25 shots, ending a personal eight-game skid.
The Ducks also needed three more periods to get the win on Friday. Cutter Gauthier and Alex Killorn scored in the game-winning penalty shootout to give Anaheim a 6-5 home win over Montreal.
Anaheim had to recover from a 2-1 deficit in the first period and a 5-4 deficit in the third period to force overtime. Chris Kreider tied the score in the final minute as part of a season-high four-point night (one goal, three assists).
Friday was Anaheim’s 19th comeback win, tying it with Montreal for first in the NHL.
“To be honest, I don’t know what to say about the game, because it was a little chaotic, a little crazy, but a lot of fun,” Krieder said after Friday’s win.
Gauthier also scored his team-leading 32nd goal of the season, extending the Ducks’ point streak to four games. He has seven points and six goals since March 1st.
Defenseman Jackson Larcombe scored his first goal since Dec. 16. He has added an assist leading to at least one point in seven of his last eight games.
While the Blues were making deals with the future in mind, Anaheim was trying to gear up for its first playoff appearance since 2018.
The key was acquiring veteran defenseman John Carlson from the Washington Capitals.
Carlsen, 36, has not played since February 5 due to a lower body injury. He practiced with his new team on Saturday but will not be fit for the game against the Blues, according to The Hockey News.
–Field level media
