Minnesota's 14 giveaways and 41.2% faceoff rate built a structural floor for collapse β St. Louis simply walked through the door Minnesota left open.
St. Louis erased a 3-1 deficit in under three minutes of the second period and never relinquished the lead, exposing Minnesota's inability to protect a multi-goal advantage against a team fighting for playoff positioning. This was a structural collapse, not a fluke β 14 Minnesota giveaways and a 41.2% faceoff rate created the conditions for a Blues reversal that was systemic, not spectacular.
β‘TURNING POINT
Stenberg's 4:04 goal cut the deficit to one just 27 seconds before Buchnevich made it 3-3, compressing Minnesota's three-goal cushion into nothing in a single shift sequence. The goal forced Minnesota out of a defensive posture it couldn't re-establish, and St. Louis controlled every meaningful minute from that point forward.
πWHY STL WON
β’
St. Louis won 58.8% of faceoffs, generating sustained offensive-zone possession that Minnesota's defense couldn't clear.
β’
Five STL skaters finished at +2 or better, reflecting a line-level dominance that went beyond individual contributions.
β’
Minnesota's 14 giveaways handed St. Louis transition opportunities repeatedly in the second and third periods, negating a 31-22 shot advantage.
πWHY MIN LOST
β’
A 1-for-6 power play in a game with six opportunities is a conversion failure that directly cost Minnesota the margin it needed.
β’
14 giveaways against a team with five takeaways created a turnover deficit that made Minnesota's shot volume misleading.
β’
Faceoff loss rate of 41.2% meant St. Louis dictated puck placement in all three zones throughout.
Three Stars
Colton Parayko1st
STL, D
1G1 shot on goalTOI 16:09+2
His opening goal set the tone and his defensive presence contributed to a plus-two differential that reflected sustained two-way impact.
Pavel Buchnevich2nd
STL, L
1G1 shot on goalTOI 17:07+2
His goal at 4:31 completed the two-goal swing in 27 seconds that turned a Minnesota lead into a tied game.
Jake Neighbours3rd
STL, L
1G5 hitsTOI 13:26+1
His five hits led all skaters and his physical presence disrupted Minnesota's structure before his goal sealed the outcome.
