Full Breakdown
St. Louis Blues Host Minnesota Wild in Final Week of NHL Season
4/14/2026, 8:58:44 AM
Game Overview and Context
The St. Louis Blues faced off against the Minnesota Wild on April 13, 2026, at Enterprise Center, marking the final meeting of the season between the two teams. The Blues, having been eliminated from playoff contention, entered the game with a record of 34-33-12, while the Wild, already clinched a playoff spot, boasted a record of 45-23-12. This matchup followed a recent 5-3 victory for the Blues over the Chicago Blackhawks, showcasing a slight resurgence in their performance despite their overall struggles throughout the season.
Lineup Changes and Team Dynamics
In preparation for the game, Blues Head Coach Jim Montgomery announced changes to three forward lines. Pius Suter was elevated to the second line, with Pavel Buchnevich shifting to wing, while Jonathan Drouin returned to the third line. Jack Finley replaced Oskar Sundqvist on the fourth line. Montgomery emphasized the importance of personal pride and competition in the remaining games, stating, "We're just trying to see who's going to compete in these games."
Game Highlights and Performance
The game concluded with the Blues overcoming a two-goal deficit to secure a 6-3 victory over the Wild. Theo Lindstein scored a pivotal goal late in the second period, assisted by Jonathan Drouin and Dalibor Dvorsky. Pavel Buchnevich celebrated his 200th NHL goal, contributing to the team's offensive efforts alongside goals from Jimmy Snuggerud, Jake Neighbours, Otto Stenberg, and Colton Parayko. Joel Hofer, the Blues' goaltender, made 28 saves, while Filip Gustavsson of the Wild managed 16 saves.
Statistical Insights
Throughout the game, the Blues demonstrated a strong performance in faceoffs, winning 58.8% of them. The Wild's scoring came from Nick Foligno, Michael McCarron, and Danila Yurov. The victory marked a significant moment for Parayko, who moved into fourth place in franchise history for goals scored by a Blues defenseman.
Official Statements & Responses
Montgomery's focus on competition and personal pride resonated throughout the team as they played out the remainder of the season. The Blues' recent wins against teams like Colorado and Anaheim indicated a potential for competitive spirit, even in the absence of playoff stakes.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the victory, critics pointed out that the Blues' overall season performance remained mediocre, averaging just 2.68 goals per game and struggling on special teams. The team's power play was noted at 17.8%, and their penalty kill at 76.3%, which posed challenges against a playoff-bound team like Minnesota.
What's Next
Following this game, the Blues were set to host the Pittsburgh Penguins, while the Wild prepared for their first-round playoff matchup against the Dallas Stars. The outcome of this game served as a final test for both teams as they approached the end of the regular season.
Verbatim Quotes
- "We're just trying to see who's going to compete in these games." — Jim Montgomery, Head Coach, St. Louis Blues
- "It was a great team effort, and we showed resilience coming back from a deficit." — Theo Lindstein, Player, St. Louis Blues
