When the Blues’ Nathan Walker scored just 11 seconds into Thursday night’s eventual shootout win over San Jose, it marked the earliest goal of the NHL season.
Walker capitalized on a poor rim by Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov that was picked off by Radek Faksa, and centered to Walker at the net-front. Faksa started the play by winning the game’s opening faceoff, part of a 6 for 6 first period in the circle for the veteran center.
“I think if you can just have a good shift in itself, let alone get a goal on the first shift, it kind of sets the tone for the game,†Walker said. “‘Faks’ made a great heads up play for me there. … Just stayed in front of the net, and got a nice little deflection on it.â€

Blues forward Nathan Walker (26) celebrates with teammate Alexy Toropchenko after Walker scored 11 seconds into a game against the Sharks on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at Enterprise Center.
Walker’s goal was the fastest by a Blues player since Zack Bolduc scored 11 seconds into a game on April 7 in Anaheim. It was tied for the sixth-earliest goal in franchise history. Alexander Steen (March 16, 2010) and Greg Paslawski (Oct. 29, 1985) share the record, at eight seconds.
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Walker’s goal was seven seconds faster than the previous quickest tally, which was Michael Kesselring’s goal 18 seconds into Utah’s game in St. Louis on Nov. 7.
The line of Walker, Faksa and Toropchenko is one of just 28 around the NHL that have played at least two hours together at 5 on 5. During that time, the Blues are even (6-6) in goals.
“We’ve got a Russian, a Czech and an Aussie, so the communication is a little tough sometimes,†Walker said.
“It’s good. We chat a lot. We’re good friends on and off the ice, so it definitely makes for a good mix.â€
Welcome back
Defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph was the only Blues player on the ice for both the team’s goals scored on Thursday night, as he helped get the puck deep before Walker’s goal in the first period, and then Joseph picked up the primary assist on Jordan Kyrou’s second-period goal.
Joseph was playing his first game in a week following a lower-body injury that forced him to miss three games. In total, he logged 15:53 of ice time with two shot attempts and one blocked shot.
“I thought P.O played very well,†Blues coach Drew Bannister said. “I thought he stepped in and played well. I was happy for him, I was happy for the team.â€
With Joseph on the ice at 5 on 5, the Blues outshot the Sharks 13-5. That 72.2% share of shots on goal was the second-highest of the season for Joseph in 14 games played.
Stuck out there
Leading up to Alexander Wennberg’s game-tying goal for San Jose with 8.8 seconds remaining in the third period on Thursday, a quartet of Blues were trudging through shifts that nearly reached three minutes.
Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, Colton Parayko and Ryan Suter all were on the ice for the 2:39 preceding Wennberg’s goal with the extra attacker. It was by far each player’s longest shift of the evening.
Jake Neighbours, Brayden Schenn and Faksa rotated in as the fifth Blues skater on the ice.
The shift spanned four faceoffs (three lost by Thomas to Macklin Celebrini, one won by Faksa vs. Celebirni) and San Jose’s timeout about a minute into the shift.
The Blues iced the puck with 1:23 left in the third period, so they were not allowed to change, but a stoppage with 45 seconds could have allowed them to get fresh bodies on the ice.
Parayko and Suter lead all Blues skaters in total time on ice at 5 on 5, while Thomas averages more than a minute more of ice time than the next closest Blues forward at 5 on 5.
Photos: Blues beat Sharks 3-2 in shootout

Blues goalie Jordan Binnington celebrates after blocking a shot by the Sharks’ William Eklund to win the shootout and a Blues victory on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at Enterprise Center. The win moved Binnington into a tie for most wins by a goalie in Blues history.

Blues forward Alexey Toropchenko (13) pancakes against the Sharks' Timothy Liljegren (37) in the third period of a game Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at Enterprise Center.

Blues forward Nathan Walker (26) celebrates with teammate Alexy Toropchenko after Walker scored 11 seconds into a game against the Sharks on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at Enterprise Center.

Jake Neighbours greets teammates after scoring the decisive shootout goal as the Blues beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2 on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 at Enterprise Center.

St. Louis Blues Robert Thomas cannot get the puck past the leg of San Jose Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov in the first period on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 at Enterprise Center.

St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn (10) pursues the puck against San Jose Sharks Ty Dellandrea (53) and Jan Rutta (84) in the first period on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 at Enterprise Center.

Blues forward Robert Thomas fires a shot past the Sharks’ Mario Ferraro (38) in the first period of a game Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at Enterprise Center.

St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington defends behind teammate Corey Schueneman (64) and Carl Grundstrom of the San Jose Sharks in the second period on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 at Enterprise Center.

Blues goalie Jordan Binnington watches for a shot from the Sharks’ Mario Ferraro in the second period Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at Enterprise Center.

A referee leaps out of the way as William Eklund (72) of the San Jose Sharks looks to move the puck between St. Louis Blues Pavel Buchnevich (89), left, and Colton Parayko (55) in the third period of a Blues victory 3-2 on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 at Enterprise Center.

Blues coach Drew Bannister watches from the bench as his team begins a shootout against San Jose on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at Enterprise Center. ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ won 3-2 off Jake Neighbours’ goal.

St. Louis Blues Dylan Holloway looks to shoot off a deflection from San Jose Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 at Enterprise Center.

St. Louis Blues Jake Neighbours looks for a pass in the third period against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 at Enterprise Center.