Robert Thomas and Zack Bolduc scored on St. Louis’ first two shots, and Thomas added another goal as the Blues defeated the Nashville Predators 7-4 on Friday.
The quick goals in the first three minutes helped St. Louis, who never trailed, get off to a strong start and win their second straight game after a 1-3-2 slump.
Cam Fowler scored a goal and added two assists for the Blues, while Jordan Kyrou had a goal and an assist. Philip Broberg and Colton Parayko also found the net, and Dylan Holloway registered two assists.
Nashville came close several times, pulling within one goal on four occasions, including Jonathan Marchessault’s power-play goal with nine minutes left in the game.
Marchessault and Steven Stamkos each had a goal and an assist. Nick Blankenburg and Mark Jankowski also scored for the Predators, who came into the game with a 3-0-1 record.
Thomas’ power-play goal with 4:50 remaining sealed the win for St. Louis, and Parayko added a short-handed empty-net goal with 1:15 left.
The Blues scored just 1:20 into the game. After intercepting a pass, Thomas broke through Nashville’s defense and beat goalie Juuse Saros, who was pulled late in the second period after allowing five goals on 15 shots.
Bolduc scored at 2:47 with a powerful wrist shot after receiving a pass from Oskar Sundqvist, which hit the post and went in.
Nashville responded at 5:42 with a goal from Mark Jankowski, who sent the puck through a crowd in front of goalie Joel Hofer (26 saves).
St. Louis regained a two-goal lead at 9:57 of the first when Kyrou spun in the high slot and fired the puck into the net.
Nashville answered again at 13:17 with a power-play goal from Stamkos, assisted by Marchessault. But Fowler added a blast from the point late in the first period to make it 4-2 for the Blues.
Nashville pulled within one again in the second when Blankenburg weaved through traffic to score at 5:31.
Saros was replaced by Justus Annunen after Broberg intercepted a clearing attempt and scored to make it 5-3 with 4:31 left in the second. Annunen stopped 12 of 13 shots in relief.
