ST. LOUIS _ Blues coach Ken Hitchcock claimed he had seen signs on the team's flight home from its lopsided loss in Columbus that made him think something had changed. He felt that was backed up Monday after what he labeled the club's best practice in two years, though he admitted that it didn't count for any points and meant nothing in the standings.
Those around town weren't going to believe the Blues were about to turn any corners until they were back on the ice, which came Tuesday against Buffalo.
Like Colorado 1 { weeks ago, the Sabres may not be the best measuring stick, losers of their last four and missing several key offensive players. But the Blues are in no position to be judging others these days, and they weren't after a 4-1 win in front of 16,884 at Scottrade Center.
The club bounced back from its collapse in Columbus and snapped its three-game losing streak by striking for two goals early in the third period.
Jaden Schwartz, who was hobbled earlier in the game, netted his fourth of the season just 44 seconds into the frame and Kyle Brodziak followed his first of the year 1:35 later to give the Blues a lead, and Scottie Upshall put in a late empty-netter to wrap up the victory. The win improved the team to 6-1-2 this season at home, where they will play seven of their next nine games.
Goalie Jake Allen rebounded as well from the debacle in Columbus, giving up just one goal for his first win in his last four outings. The Sabres finished with just 24 shots, but Allen was left on an island at times and came up strong.
But what the Blues did for Allen Tuesday was finally provide him some offense. It was only the second time in his last seven starts that the club scored more than two goals with him in net.
The game-winner came from Schwartz early in the third period. All he had to do was clean up the loose puck, after Dmitrij Jaskin's strong drive to the net, which was made possible after a stretch pass from Kevin Shattenkirk.
Schwartz put it into a wide-open net, after Buffalo goalie Robin Lehner, who made the initial stop on Jaskin, couldn't get to the other side.
Then it was Brodziak's turn, deflecting a pass from linemate Ryan Reaves in for a 3-1 lead with 17:41 remaining in the third period. The fourth line has been arguably the Blues' best recently, and while didn't make a difference Tuesday's outcome, every goal scored by this lineup makes a difference.
The two third period goals came at even strength, where the Blues had just 20 this season coming into the game. They had been outscored 30-20 in that department, and in addition to scoring two, they didn't give up any Tuesday, as Buffalo's goal came on the power play.
So there were new trends to add to the two constants for the Blues, which are Robby Fabbri and the power play, and to a degree they've been connected.
Since Fabbri was a healthy scratch against Nov. 10 against Nashville, Fabbri has three goals in two games, including another one Tuesday.
All three have come on the power play, which had converted four straight opportunities and five of six when Fabbri scored in the first period Tuesday.
Buffalo was whistled for having too many men on the ice, and the Blues' power play needed just nine seconds for Fabbri to score his ninth goal of the season, helping his club pull even at 1-1 with 9:02 left in the period.
That wasn't the only way Fabbri made his mark Tuesday, but more on that in a minute.
The Blues had a couple of injury scares in the game, one involving Schwartz at the end of the first period and another involving Steen in the second period. Schwartz returned, but after coming back a couple of times, Steen left for good and didn't play in the third period.
Schwartz was camped in front of the Buffalo net when Alex Pietrangelo teed up a shot the point. Schwartz absorbed the shot with 1:17 left in the period, and after the horn sounded was putting no pressure on his left leg as he was carried to the locker room.
Steen was drilled into the corner by Buffalo's Josh Gorges and no penalty was called. He stayed in the game briefly, but then went to the locker room, presumably for concussion protocol. He left again for what appeared to be an equipment issue, but after returning a second time, he eventually left for good.
Not long after Steen left the first time, Fabbri asked Gorges for a fight, and while he took the worst of the bout, he won points with teammates for sticking up for Steen.
That was a bright spot, as the Blues' play on home ice has continued to be. They got off to a strong start against Buffalo, outshooting them 8-1 in the early going. But Upshall took the first of three offensive-zone penalties in the first period, putting the Sabres on the power play.
Buffalo has struggled in the scoring department this season, coming into the night tied for last in the NHL in goals per game (1.93). But the Sabres power play hasn't been bad, with one-third of them coming on the man-advantage.
Sam Reinhart scored on Buffalo's second shot of the game for a 1-0 lead, but it was short-lived as Fabbri answered back later in the period, and then the Blues came alive in the third to post their eighth win of the season.
