Blues make history with comeback win in Game 5
Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas scored equalizer goals in final five minutes, leading to OT win
by Andrew Pek / St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues were down, but not out.
Facing elimination in Wednesday's Game 5 in Colorado, the Blues were looking at a 3-0 deficit in the second period that could have brought an end to their season.
It didn't.
The Blues scored three goals in a 21-minute span to tie the game. Vladimir Tarasenko buried a loose puck over Darcy Kuemper's shoulder, Pavel Buchnevich hit Robert Thomas with a picture-perfect feed from the edge of the trapezoid, and Jordan Kyrou - initially awarded to Justin Faulk - banged in a goal in a chaotic sequence in front of the Avalanche net.
Tie game, 4:46 left.
Video: STL@COL, Gm5: Kyrou ties the game on the doorstep
The roller coaster continued when Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon completed his hat trick - in one of the most eye-popping highlights of the entire playoffs - to give Colorado the lead with under three minutes to go.
With their backs against the wall, the Blues embraced the challenge. Ville Husso made his way over to the bench in exchange for an extra skater, and Thomas scored again - right when the Blues needed it most.
Tie game - again - 56 seconds left.
The latest game-tying goal in an elimination game in Blues history.
Video: STL@COL, Gm5: Thomas ties it with less than a minute
This sequence marked the first time in NHL history that a team facing elimination scored two game-tying goals in the final five minutes of a playoff game. Only one other team has done it at all, when Buffalo defeated Ottawa in Game 1 of the 2006 Conference Semifinals.
Tyler Bozak's game-winner in overtime was the second of his playoff career, and the ninth time in franchise history the Blues staved off elimination in such fashion. Most recently was Pat Maroon's heroic Game 7 winner in 2019 against Dallas.
The Blues had not overcome a three-goal deficit to win a playoff game in nearly 25 years, last accomplishing the feat in 1998 against Los Angeles.
Video: STL@COL, Gm5: Bozak's OT winner forces a Game 6
The Blues now have another chance to extend their season and force a Game 7, this time on home ice at 7 p.m. on Friday night.
Never count this team out.