ST. LOUIS — The next time the Blues play at Enterprise Center, the team could look different. But when they played against New Jersey on Saturday, the same second-period issues cost the Blues in a 3-1 loss to the Devils.

The Blues allowed two goals in the middle period, sullying decent first and third periods as they lost their first afternoon game all season. Jordan Binnington made 30 saves, as Timo Meier, Dougie Hamilton and Nico Hischier (empty net) scored for the Devils.

Pavel Buchnevich scored with 1:18 remaining in the third period to make it 2-1 after blocking Jacob Markstrom's attempt at an empty-net goalie goal and stuffing it into an vacant cage.

It was the Blues' ninth loss in the last 11 games, and their final home game before Friday's trade deadline.

The Blues still have three games before the deadline — first up is Sunday afternoon in Minnesota — but all of them are on the road.

Costly second

After a scoreless first period, the Blues reminded onlookers that their second period remains the worst period in hockey. The Blues were outscored 2-0 and outshot 17-6 as New Jersey built itself a multi-goal cushion.

The Blues entered the game with a minus-27 goal margin in the second period, the worst period across the NHL.

Timo Meier scored at 5:37 of the second period, taking advantage of a 2 on 1 with a shot from the right wing that beat Binnington far side. New Jersey had a 2 on 1 after a clunky change in the neutral zone by the Blues, as a stickless Philip Broberg stopped in front of the Blues bench to kick a puck, forcing Tyler Tucker to jump back onto the boards to avoid a too many men penalty. When Tucker returned to the ice, the Devils had an odd-man rush.

Dougie Hamilton scored with 15.6 seconds remaining in the second period, shortly after Jack Finley took an offensive-zone hooking penalty below the New Jersey goal line. Hamilton stepped into a one-timer from the slot.

Olympic ghosts

Olympic hero Jack Hughes visited St. Louis for the first time since his gold medal-winning overtime goal against Canada on Sunday, and received a warm reception at Enterprise Center. There were multiple signs on the glass during warmup celebrating the U.S. victory and at least one visible American Hughes jersey.

Hughes was cheered when he first touched the puck in the first period, and very slightly when he was announced as the primary assist on Dougie Hamilton's second period goal.

It was also the first time since Sunday that Hughes faced Jordan Binnington, who was in net for Canada in the goal medal game.

There were other Olympic connections that crossed over to both benches: Philip Broberg roomed with New Jersey's Jesper Bratt in the Olympic Village with Sweden, Pius Suter was teammates with Swiss forwards Timo Meier and Nico Hischier, and Dalibor Dvorsky and Simon Nemec are two future stars for Slovakian hockey.

Bjugstad back

Forward Nick Bjugstad was back in St. Louis about 3 1/2 weeks after the Blues traded him to New Jersey for a 2026 fourth-round pick and AHL forward Thomas Bordeleau. Bjugstad was honored with a graphic and a live shot during a stoppage in the first period.

Bjugstad played 35 games for the Blues this season, totaling six goals and one assist.

Bjugstad centered New Jersey's fourth line between Paul Cotter and Maksim Tsyplakov, and played big minutes on the Devils penalty kill.

Adding a letter

Since alternate captains Robert Thomas (leave of absence) and Colton Parayko (back spasms) missed Saturday's game, the Blues gave a letter to forward Jake Neighbours, who wore an 'A' for the first time in a regular-season game. Neighbours previously wore a letter in preseason games as St. Louis didn't play a full lineup.

Neighbours, 23, is in his third full season in St. Louis, and entered Saturday tied for the team lead with 14 goals.

Brayden Schenn wore his customary 'C' as the captain, while Justin Faulk served as the other alternate captain.

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