QUICK HITS
BLUES Justin. Freaking. Barron.
Barron - who was claimed off waivers on Sept. 27 - scored his first goal with St. Louis, recorded three assists and had a +4 rating in Thursday's win against Vegas. Not only was it Barron's first career four-point game, but he is the first Blues defenseman to have a four-point night since Philip Broberg did so on March 25, 2025 against the Montreal Canadiens.
"I feel good," Barron said. "I feel like I just been trying to build my game since I got here. The guys on the team have helped me a lot [and] get comfortable and feel like I'm a part of this team. It was a good, full effort for our team to play a full 60 minutes here at home."
Barron's goal was his first since April 16, 2025 and was assisted by Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, who picked up his first career point in his seventh NHL game.
Mason McTavish scored the game-winning goal, Dylan Holloway scored twice (giving him seven points in five games) and Jimmy Snuggerud recorded a goal and an assist. Joel Hofer made 27 saves on 29 shots and the Blues' power play extended its scoring streak to five games.
"That was the best game we've played since the (2025) playoffs - it feels good because everybody contributed," said Head Coach Jim Montgomery. "The bench was alive. The energy on the bench was the best I've seen it in a long time. When you're doing things right, there's a saying in hockey that 'the hockey gods reward you.' We played the right way."
HURRICANES The defending Stanley Cup champions are picking up right where they left off in June, beginning the season with an 8-2-2 record to sit atop the Metropolitan Division. Carolina brought back almost the entirety of their Cup-winning roster, with the exceptions of goaltender Frederik Andersen, who signed with the Edmonton Oilers as a free agent, and defenseman Alexander Nikishin, who has not played this season because he is not currently under contract. Nikishin requested a trade from the Hurricanes during the offseason.
The Hurricanes are known for their suffocating style of play that has fueled their consistent success. Carolina has made the Stanley Cup Playoffs every season since Rod Brind'Amour took over as head coach in 2018. The offense is led by Sebastian Aho and Jackson Blake, who have recorded 16 and 12 points respectively through 12 games.
In their matchup against the Blues, the Hurricanes will not have captain Jordan Staal, who suffered a calf injury that is expected to sideline him for 1-2 months. Additionally Brind'Amour told the media that forward Mark Jankowski was sent back to Raleigh to undergo further examination on a lower-body injury. Forward Taylor Hall is also out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
Forwards Skyler Brind'Amour and Felix Unger Sorum were recalled from the Hurricanes' AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. Seth Jarvis returned to the lineup in the team's 6-5 shootout loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday after undergoing shoulder surgery during the offseason.
