VANCOUVER, B.C. — The St. Louis Blues picked up an impressive 5-2 road win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night at Rogers Arena, showing early signs of the team settling into form. St. Louis jumped out to an early lead and never really lost control, keeping consistent pressure on Vancouver throughout the night. Brayden Schenn and Nick Bjugstad added goals, Jake Neighbours buried an empty-netter and Jordan Binnington turned aside 29 shots to help the Blues improve to 2-1-0.
At the center of it all was rookie winger Jimmy Snuggerud. The 21-year-old has been steadily earning more attention with each game, but Monday was his breakout performance. Snuggerud scored twice and brought an energy that was hard to ignore. From his first shift, he played with confidence — battling for pucks, driving play forward and making smart reads in the offensive zone.
His first goal came midway through the opening period when a deflected puck landed on his stick in front, and he wasted no time snapping it past Kevin Lankinen, showing off his famous shot. In the second, he was where he was supposed to be on ice in front of the net on the power play and buried a quick shot to extend the lead. Both goals were the product of good positioning and a natural scoring touch, something the Blues are starting to see more of from their young forward.
What’s standing out most, though, is his consistency. Snuggerud’s game isn’t built on highlight-reel plays but on effort — the kind that keeps the Blues’ offense moving and forces mistakes from opponents. That steady presence has already sparked early Calder Trophy chatter, not because he’s dominating, but because he looks comfortable and reliable in a role most rookies are still figuring out.
Snuggerud’s path to the NHL has been fast. After leaving the University of Minnesota last spring, he joined the Blues straight out of college and made his debut during the playoff push. Now, in his first full season, he’s still adjusting to the pace and physicality of the league. Still, he’s already demonstrating the timing, hockey sense and positioning that can make him a reliable contributor. His growth is part of a bigger picture for St. Louis, a team looking to establish its identity early in the season after a strong 2024-25 playoff push.
For fans, it’s encouraging to see a young player making his presence felt. Snuggerud is contributing in key moments and showing glimpses of the skill and drive that could put him in the Calder conversation if he continues on this path, another step in a rookie season shaping up to be an exciting one.
