Three Takeaways From Blues' 6-2 Winter Classic Win Against Blackhawks

CHICAGO -- There's just something magical about the St. Louis Blues and outdoor venues that brings out the best in them, no matter the circumstances, no matter the type of team they have.

The Blues proved once again they are among the kings of outdoor hockey with a resounding 6-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2025 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.

It marks the third time in as many games that the Blues (18-17-4) have prevailed in an outdoor game -- all Winter Classics. They defeated the Blackhawks 4-1 in 2017 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis and the Minnesota Wild 6-4 in 2022 at Target Field in Minnespolis.

Cam Fowler scored twice in his 1,000th NHL game, Justin Faulk scored his first goal since Oct. 10 and added a pair of assists, Dylan Holloway and Alexandre Texier each with a goal and an assist. Jordan Binnington was rock solid with 28 saves, including a key one in the second period that turned the game on its head.

"Our first 10 minutes was excellent, how direct we were playing north 5-on-5 and power play," Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. "I thought we lost our will a little bit. I thought Chicago was the better team the last eight minutes in the (first), and I liked in the second how we regrouped and got back to playing to our identity, and I thought we were able to extend the lead because of it."

Let's break down the Three Takeaways:

* Blues rise to outdoor stage -- The Blues have now outscored the Blackhawks (twice) and Wild by a combined 16-7 in three Winter Classics.

There's just something about the outdoor prestige that brings out the best in St. Louis no matter the setting.

"I wasn't part of the other ones, but I think just the adrenaline you have," Blues forward Jake Neighbours said. "You get out there for that anthem, specifically this one. That singer (Jim Cornelison) is so iconic, just the roar of the crowd, the fireworks. Everything about it just gives you chills. Couldn't be more excited to play when you're out there listening to that stuff. It was pretty easy to get up for this one."

* Power play (finally) strikes -- The well was extremely dry for the Blues' power play.

The past nine games, it had gone 1-for-20, including 0-for-19 in non 4-on-3 situations.

But on Tuesday against the fourth-ranked penalty kill, the Blues struck twice early on goals by Cam Fowler (at 1:40 of the first period) and Jordan Kyrou (at 8:10).

"Nice to get two early there, obviously get off to a nice lead," Neighbours said. "We're trying, we're really working at it. Obviously nice to get two there tonight."

It was a face-off win, and crisp puck movement by the Blues to set up Fowler, who was playing in his 1,000th NHL game, to get a puck towards the net, whether via rebound or pick a corner, like he did here:

And once again good high-low movement and cross-crease to Jordan Kyrou by Neighbours on the doorstep:

"Just a great play overall by 'Holly' and 'Jakey' there," Kyrou said. "A little down low play, 'Jakey' a little fake shot and he just sent it to me for a little tap-in. It was a great play by him."

"The power play was very assertive," Montgomery said. "It was nice for us to get two power-play goals and it felt like our team kind of settled in. Then confidence grows."

* Everyone contributed -- It's quite simple: from goaltending on our, the Blues didn't have a passenger in this game.

As a matter of fact, they each took turns with key contributions. Of course, Blues fans alike want to punish Walker for the fanned clearance that led to Taylor Hall's goal that cut the Blues' leas to 2-1, but he got solid as the game moved along and the Blues got solid contributions from everyone from Jordan Binnington to Alexey Toropchenko, who did take one unnecessary minor.