From icicles hanging from Jon Merill’s mustache to chicken broth in Jordan Binnington’s water bottle, the temperature of negative six degrees at puck drop last night at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, marked the coldest NHL outdoor game in history.

Despite the frigid temperatures, the St. Louis Blues offense was scalding hot at the 2022 Winter Classic, resulting in solidifying their hold on first place in the Central Division with their 6-4 victory over the Minnesota Wild.

Not only did the temperature shatter a record last night, but Blues forward Jordan Kyrou also made history by finishing with the most points by any NHL player in an outdoor game. Here’s a look at my three takeaways following the Blues victory.

1.  Kyrou is a superstar in the making 

The Toronto native has shown he’s most potent when the lights shine the brightest. Kyrou displayed flashes of his agility, scoring ability and poise during last season’s short-lived playoff run when the Colorado Avalanche swept the Blues in the conference quarterfinals. 

Blues’ general manager Doug Armstrong struck lightning in a bottle when he traded goaltender Brian Elliott to the Calgary Flames for a second-round pick. Armstrong used that second-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft to select Kyrou with the 35th overall pick.

If any doubt remained about Kyrou, the 23-year-old completely eradicated it on New Year’s Day. Kyrou’s historic performance came with four points (2 goals, 2 assists), all of which came in the second period. 

Kyrou showcased his cheetah-like speed, skating ability and agility last night, all of which confused and beat Minnesota defenders in the offensive zone and neutral ice all game. Kyrou also dazzled with his accurate wrist shot and his tape-to-tape passing game, making him the best player on the ice last night, even though Kirill Kaprizov was on the opposite end.

Through 29 games, Kyrou has 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists), three short of his career-high. 

2.  Blues need to make Vladimir Tarasenko happy

Despite Tarasenko’s injury narrative with the Blues and disgruntlement with management, Tarasenko is an icon to this generation of Blues fans. 

Not only did the Russian net a one-timer goal in the second period, delivering St. Louis their third goal of the contest, but Tarasenko also posed for a cheerful selfie with fans. In other words, emphasizing his significance to the team and fan base. 

During this past offseason, Tarasenko expressed his frustration with Blues management and wanted a trade. He reportedly lost faith in team management due to mishandling a series of shoulder procedures, which sidelined him a handful of games last season. 

Tarasenko’s resurgent season has been a major component why the Blues currently lead the Central Division. His 14 goals are the most among the team and a significant reason why Blues management needs to make him happy in order to sustain their dominance in a formidable Central Division.

With one more season left on Tarasenko’s current contract, along with his future with St. Louis in question, the Blues need to cherish the last of Tarasenko as his days in St. Louis are numbered. That is unless Tarasenko and management make amends. 

3. The Central Division will come down to the wire

Speaking of the Central Division, the race to the top is heating up as the New Year kicks off. With a St. Louis victory, the Blues have 43 points atop the Central Division. Meanwhile, a Wild loss slides them to third place with 40 points.

The Nashville Predators, who were supposed to take a step back this season, and the Colorado Avalanche, who entered the season as a Stanley Cup favorite, aren’t far behind capturing the division lead. With Nashville’s goaltender Juuse Saros playing elite hockey and Colorado’s top line heating up, these two teams can’t be dismissed. Even though Winnipeg and Dallas trail the division lead by as many as 10 points, there’s potential one of them go on a hot streak and have a say in the division crown.

The Blues and Wild will battle two more times this season at Enterprise Center in St. Louis. With St. Louis’s victory at Target Field, the Blues are currently in the driver’s seat in the Central Division.