WASHINGTON — Philip Broberg found the net twice, leading the St. Louis Blues to a 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday night.
This win brings the Blues closer to securing the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and subjects the Eastern Conference leading Capitals to their second consecutive defeat — a rare occurrence.
Alongside Broberg, Dylan Holloway and Colton Parayko contributed to the scoreboard, with Jake Neighbours clinching the game with an empty-netter. The Blues are now riding a three-game winning streak, maintaining their competitive edge as the March 7 NHL trade deadline looms. The decision by General Manager Doug Armstrong to acquire Broberg and Holloway from Edmonton last summer continues to prove beneficial for the Blues. Backup goalie Joel Hofer made 16 saves, further solidifying the victory.
Conversely, the Capitals were without winger Tom Wilson, a late scratch due to an illness. Despite this, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Connor McMichael managed to score for Washington, but they were unable to prevent back-to-back regulation losses — a first since December 16-17. The Capitals’ goalie, Charlie Lindgren, struggled, allowing four goals on 18 attempts. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin remains on the hunt, 12 goals short of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s storied career record.
During the game, Blues captain Brayden Schenn celebrated his 1,000th regular-season appearance, with his team delivering a performance strong enough to potentially sway Armstrong against making premature trades at the deadline.
The Capitals, after promising starts this season, appear to hit a midseason snag, disrupting their earlier momentum.
A turning point occurred when McMichael equalized the score late in the second period. Holloway and Parayko’s rapid 35-second scoring spree shortly afterward quieted an excited crowd, effectively regaining the Blues’ lead.
This contest marked Holloway’s 18th goal of the season in his 60th game — a notable improvement from his previous record with the Oilers, indicating his growing impact on the ice.
Looking ahead, the Blues will host the Los Angeles Kings back on home ice on Saturday night. On the same day, the Capitals are set to challenge the Tampa Bay Lightning in an afternoon matchup.
