A bruised Jordan Kyrou scored three goals and Brandon Saad scored in overtime to help the St. Louis Blues beat the Minnesota Wild 5-4 on Saturday. Jake Neighbours also scored for the Blues, who have won six of their last seven games. Pavel Buchnevich had three assists and Jordan Binnington made 30 saves.
Marco Rossi scored twice for the Wild. Marcus Johansson and Brock Faber also scored for Minnesota, while Marc-Andre Fleury had 22 saves.
The win moved the Blues two points ahead of the Wild. Both teams are chasing Vegas for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. It was the Blues’ third straight win over the Wild, who have a 6-2-2 record in their last 10 games. They have six games left at home that could determine their playoff fate.
Blues interim coach Drew Bannister said, “The odds don’t say we can make the playoffs, but I wouldn’t bet against these guys. They know how to win.”
In overtime, Saad scored after a pass from Kasperi Kapanen. Saad said, “Kaapy made a great play and I found a way in.” The Blues trailed 3-2 going into the third period, but Kyrou tied it with a long shot that beat Fleury.
Fleury said, “I just didn’t see the shot. It’s tough because it tied the game.” Kyrou then gave the Blues the lead with another goal in the third period. It was Kyrou’s 11th goal in 19 games against Minnesota. He got hit in the face with a puck in the first period but kept playing.
Faber tied the game for the Wild late in the third period. Rossi scored twice for the Wild, including a goal midway through the second period.
Blues defenseman Nick Leddy played his 1,000th career game. Saad said, “It’s a huge accomplishment and it’s very special for him to do it at home and get a win.”
