Blues rout Golden Knights 6-2 as Justin Barron posts first career four-point game

Justin Barron picked a good night to introduce himself to St. Louis. The defenseman had a goal and three assists, the first four-point game of his career, and the St. Louis Blues beat the Vegas Golden Knights 6-2 on Thursday night at Enterprise Center.

Dylan Holloway scored twice and added an assist, Jimmy Snuggerud had a goal and an assist, and Pavel Buchnevich and Mason McTavish also scored for St. Louis. Joel Hofer made 27 saves. Brett Howden and Jack Eichel scored for Vegas, and Adin Hill stopped 25 shots.

Who is Justin Barron?

Barron is a recent addition. The Blues claimed him off waivers from the Nashville Predators on Sept. 27, NHL.com reported, and he now has five points (one goal, four assists) in seven games with St. Louis. His first-period goal was his first since April 16, 2025, and his first as a Blue.

“I feel like I’m just trying to build my game since I got here,” Barron said, per NHL.com. “The guys on the team have helped me a lot (and) just get comfortable. I feel like I’m a part of this team.”

He added that he came in looking for “a little bit of a clean slate” and a chance to prove himself with injuries opening up spots in the lineup.

How the game unfolded

• First period: Buchnevich broke a scoreless tie with a power-play goal at 10:00, stretching the Blues’ streak of games with a power-play goal to five, their longest since January 2023. Barron made it 2-0 at 13:49, ripping a wrist shot in off the post after an Otto Stenberg forecheck forced a turnover. Aleksanteri Kaskimaki picked up the assist, his first NHL point.
• Second period: Howden cut it to 2-1 at 5:38, cleaning up a rebound. McTavish answered at 8:30, tipping in an Adam Jiricek shot to restore the two-goal lead.
• Third period: Eichel made it 3-2 at 4:08 when his centering attempt banked in off Blues defenseman Cam Fowler’s skate. St. Louis then pulled away: Snuggerud scored at 8:21, and Holloway added goals at 10:29 and 16:05, the second on the power play.

What the coaches said

Blues coach Jim Montgomery called it the team’s best game since the 2025 playoffs. “Everybody contributed, the bench was alive,” he said, per NHL.com. “There’s a saying that the hockey gods reward you. We played the right way tonight.”

Vegas coach Ryan Craig said his team was caught “in between” too often. “That’s two games in a row of kind of putting ourselves in some tough situations,” he said.

Golden Knights without Mitch Marner

Vegas played without forward Mitch Marner, who missed the game for what the club called “a family matter.” NHL.com reported the absence was due to the birth of his second child, and the AP cited a person with knowledge of the situation saying his wife was due to give birth. Marner had a seven-game point streak and 12 points in 11 games; Alexander Holtz replaced him in the lineup.

Standings and what’s next

The Blues improved to 5-4-1 and 3-0-1 at home, winning their second straight game in a five-game homestand. Vegas fell to 8-4-0 after a second straight loss. NHL.com noted the Golden Knights have now played four straight games decided by a 6-2 score, going 2-2 in them.

Both teams play again Saturday: the Blues host the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Golden Knights visit the Columbus Blue Jackets.

FAQ

What was the final score of Golden Knights vs. Blues? St. Louis won 6-2 on Oct. 22.

Who scored for the St. Louis Blues? Holloway (2), Barron, Buchnevich, McTavish and Snuggerud.

Why didn’t Mitch Marner play? The team called it a family matter; reports tied it to the birth of his second child.