Blues beat Senators 5-2 for 5th win in 6 games in fight for final wild-card spot

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Joel Hofer made 37 saves, Jake Neighbours scored twice and the St. Louis Blues beat the Ottawa Senators 5-2 on Thursday night for their fifth victory in six games as they fight for the second and final Western Conference wild-card spot. The Blues moved a point ahead of Minnesota and within two points of Vegas, with the defending Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights holding the final spot. Jordan Kyrou had a goal and two assists, and Brandon Saad and Colton Parayko also scored. Mark Kastelic and Dominik Kubalik scored for Ottawa, and Anton Forsberg stopped 22 shots. The Senators have lost three straight. St. Louis center Zach Dean made his NHL debut. He played junior hockey for the nearby Gatineau Olympiques.