Saturday in the NHL | The Blues defeat the Sabers 3-1

Jake Neighbors scores twice in Blues victory

Joel Hofer made 33 saves, Jake Neighbors scored twice and the St. Louis Blues began their return to competition following the All-Star Game with a 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabers on Saturday.

Jordan Kyrou scored the decisive goal at 4:32 of the second period. The Blues, who were shut out 1-0 by the Columbus Blue Jackets before the bye, have won six of their last seven games.

Kyle Okposo was credited with his 10^e goal of the season moments earlier when Blues defenseman Matthew Kessel’s clearance ricocheted off the skate of teammate Oskar Sundqvist and ended up in the back of the net.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has blocked 23 pucks and is 6-5 in his last 11 starts despite allowing just 19 goals during that stretch.

The Blues will be the opponents of the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday afternoon at the Bell Centre.

John Wawrow, Associated Press

The Flames defeat the Islanders 5-2

MacKenzie Weegar scored his first career hat trick to lead the Calgary Flames to a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday.

Quebecer Jonathan Huberdeau also hit the target in this fourth consecutive victory for the Flames. Blake Coleman was the visitors’ other scorer.

Jacob Markstrom finished his night of work with 35 saves and collected an assist in this third of four straight road games for the Flames.

Semyon Varlamov made 19 saves in his 600^e game in the National Hockey League. Brock Nelson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau hit the target in this first defeat in three games for Patrick Roy’s squad.

Weegar scored the first and third goals of the game, helping the Alberta club build a three-goal cushion. He and Coleman then placed the puck in an empty cage.

Scott Charles, Associated Press

Jake Walman decides in overtime for the Red Wings, who defeat the Canucks 4-3

Jake Walman scored on a penalty shot 23 seconds into overtime and the Detroit Red Wings erased a two-goal deficit to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 on Saturday.

Walman earned a penalty shot when Quinn Hughes hit him with a stick while he was on a breakaway.

Lucas Raymond, Daniel Sprong and Michael Rasmussen also moved the strings for the Red Wings, who were playing their first game since the National Hockey League All-Star Game break.

Patrick Kane, who missed his team’s last seven games with a lower-body injury, recorded an assist to his 1,200^e career match.

Alex Lyon blocked 28 shots.

Filip Hronek and Elias Pettersson each had a goal and two assists for the Canucks. Nils Hoglander scored the other goal for the Canucks, who saw their 12-game point streak end Thursday with a 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins.

Casey DeSmith made 24 saves.

Canucks defenseman Nikita Zadorov received a match penalty and a game misconduct after hitting Raymond in the head in the second period.

Dana Gauruder, Associated Press