The league-leading Carolina Hurricanes are set to close the book on a reasonably successful five-game road swing when they face the surging St. Louis Blues on Saturday.
Carolina took five of a possible eight points (2-1-1) during a four-game stretch against Canadian Western Conference opponents, capped off with a 6-5 shootout loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
The Hurricanes were unable to contain the Oilers’ top dogs as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl racked up two goals and three assists apiece.
Juuso Valimaki handed the Hurricanes the lead with just 2:40 left in regulation. They looked poised to sneak away with the victory before McDavid sent it to the extra frame off a lucky bounce with 1:28 left.
It wasn’t all bad news for the defending Stanley Cup champions, though, as Seth Jarvis scored a highlight-reel goal in his first game back from offseason shoulder surgery.
“The first period, I wasn’t feeling too great. I was just kind of catching up to the game,” Jarvis said. “After that, I thought I got my legs back and got a lot better.”
The 24-year-old winger went on to criticize his defensive struggles in his first game back.
“One of my biggest things is defense and being responsible,” he said. “I thought that part was kind of lacking (Thursday), and that’s a big reason why we didn’t pull this one out. Obviously, there’s some stuff to clean up, but I mean, I kind of expected that coming into my first game.”
Sebastian Aho finished with a goal and an assist while Jordan Martinook and Shayne Gostisbehere each tallied a pair of assists.
The Blues are singing a happier tune heading into the tough matchup after receiving help from an unlikely hero.
Defenseman Justin Barron recorded his first career four-point game (one goal, three assists) as the Blues took down the Vegas Golden Knights 6-2 on home ice Thursday.
The matchup with last season’s Western Conference champions was Barron’s best of the seven games he has played with St. Louis since he was claimed off waivers from the Nashville Predators on Sept. 27.
“I just wanted to come in (with) obviously a little bit of a clean slate,” Barron said. “Obviously, there’s been some injuries here and just try to come into the lineup and prove myself.”
Dylan Holloway scored twice and notched an assist to extend his point streak to six games (three goals, seven assists), while Jimmy Snuggerud pitched in with a goal and an assist.
Blues coach Jim Montgomery sent plenty of praise his team’s way after they earned their second consecutive victory to begin a five-game homestand.
“When you play this game the right way, and that was the best game we’ve played since the (2025 Stanley Cup) playoffs, it feels good because everybody contributed, the bench was alive,” Montgomery said. “The energy on the bench was the best I’ve seen it in a long time and when you’re doing things right, there’s a saying that the hockey gods reward you.”
The Blues’ power play has been clicking of late, scoring in each of their previous five games (6-for-17).