Thomas scores twice and the Blues beat the Predators 7-4

1 of 13 |

St. Louis Blues’ Robert Thomas (18) shoots on goal while under pressure from Nashville Predators’ Adam Wilsby (83) and Roman Josi (59) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

2 of 13 |

Nashville Predators’ Jeremy Lauzon (3) and St. Louis Blues’ Tyler Tucker (75) fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

3 of 13 |

St. Louis Blues’ Jordan Kyrou (25) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

4 of 13 |

St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer (30) reaches for the buck as it flies past the gaol during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

5 of 13 |

St. Louis Blues’ Philip Broberg (6) controls the puck while under pressure from Nashville Predators’ Michael McCarron (47) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

6 of 13 |

Nashville Predators’ Steven Stamkos, second from the left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis BluesFriday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

7 of 13 |

Nashville Predators’ Adam Wilsby (83) and St. Louis Blues’ Mathieu Joseph (71) vie for control of the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

8 of 13 |

St. Louis Blues’ Colton Parayko (55) clears the puck while under pressure from Nashville Predators’ Zachary L’Heureux (68) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

9 of 13 |

Nashville Predators goaltender Justus Annunen (29) stops the puck as Nashville Predators’ Luke Schenn (2) and St. Louis Blues’ Brayden Schenn (10) battle during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

10 of 13 |

Nashville Predators’ Adam Wilsby (83) looks to pass the puck while under pressure from St. Louis Blues’ Oskar Sundqvist (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

11 of 13 |

St. Louis Blues’ Jake Neighbours (63) and Nashville Predators’ Ryan O’Reilly (90) vie for control of the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

12 of 13 |

Nashville Predators’ Filip Forsberg (9) controls the puck as St. Louis Blues’ Brandon Saad (20) defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

13 of 13 |

Nashville Predators’ Jonathan Marchessault, left, is congratulated by teammates Steven Stamkos, center, and Ryan O’Reilly (90) after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

By WARREN MAYES

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Robert Thomas scored twice, Jordan Kyrou had a goal and an assist, and the St. Louis Blues beat the Nashville Predators 7-4 on Friday night.

Joel Hofer made 26 saves for the Blues, and defenseman Cam Fowler added a goal and two assists.

Zack Bolduc, Philip Broberg and Colton Parayko also scored for St. Louis. Dylan Holloway had two assists.

Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault each had a goal and an assist for Nashville. Mark Jankowski and Nick Blankenburg also scored.

Predators goalie Juuse Saros was pulled in the second period after allowing five goals on 15 shots.

Thomas scored the first goal of the game and got another one on a power play at 15:10 of the third period off assists from Kyrou and Fowler to make it 6-4.

Parayko added an empty-netter with 1:15 remaining.

St. Louis scored on its first two shots. Thomas got an unassisted goal 1:20 into the game when he picked off a pass by Gustav Nyquist and scored with a wrist shot. Bolduc then fired in a slap shot from the right circle at 2:47.

Takeaways

Predators: Saros was pulled after he poked the puck directly to Broberg, who scored unassisted from the left circle at 15:29 of the second to make it 5-3. Justus Annunen replaced Saros and made 12 saves on 13 shots.

Blues: Hofer improved to 5-0-1 in his last seven appearances. He is 8-3-1 this season.

Key moment

Fowler gave St. Louis a 4-2 lead at 18:05 of the first with a slap shot from inside the blue line for his first goal of the season. St. Louis acquired him from Anaheim in a Dec. 14 trade.

Key stat

Thomas has 18 points in his last 12 games (six goals, 12 assists).

Up next

The Predators play Monday at Winnipeg. The Blues host Buffalo on Sunday.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl