Blues’ Dylan Holloway returns to action with hat trick vs. Kraken

Dylan Holloway came off the injured list to produce three goals and an assist, leading the St. Louis Blues past visiting Seattle Kraken 5-1 Thursday night.

Holloway logged his second career hat trick in his first game since Jan. 18. He had been sidelined by a high ankle sprain that had limited him to one game since mid-December.

Pius Suter had a goal and two assists for the Blues, who won for just the second time in 10 games (2-7-1). It was St. Louis' first game after the three-week Olympic break.

Jordan Kyrou also scored for St. Louis. Jonatan Berggren and Justin Faulk earned two assists, and Joel Hofer made 23 saves.

Kaapo Kakko scored for the Kraken, who have lost their first two games coming out of the break. Philipp Grubauer made 27 saves.

The Blues got the jump on the Kraken, who played the night before in Dallas. St. Louis built an early 5-0 shots edge first six-plus minutes, and Pavel Buchnevich hit a post with a shot.

The hosts finally broke through at the 7:58 mark when Suter set up Holloway's one-time shot from the left faceoff dot.

Kakko tied the game 1-1 with 7:28 left in the period by crashing the net and converting the rebound of Shane Wright's turnaround from the slot.

The Blues moved ahead 3-1 with two goals 23 seconds apart early in the second period. Kyrou scored the first off the rush by converting Buchnevich's cross-ice pass from the left wing at 1:12.

Then Holloway scored again, this time during a goalmouth scramble. Logan Mailloux put a shot on goal from the point, then Suter and Berggren got whacks at the puck before Holloway poked it into the net.

The Blues extended their lead to 4-1 at 1:56 of the third period. Faulk shot from the blue line, then Holloway gathered the rebound and set up Suter's goal with a seam pass.

Holloway completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal at 16:59.