ST. LOUIS – Here’s a quick look at the St. Louis Blues' 2-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at the Scottrade Center on Thursday:
How it happened: The Blackhawks and Blues knew they were going to be in for a close one. The Blues capitalized on a Chicago mistake in the second period. Blackhawks defenseman David Rundblad was given four minutes for high sticking, and the Blues took advantage on a power-play goal by Dmitrij Jaskin. David Backes and Alex Pietrangelo had assists. Paul Stastny added a third-period goal to put the Blues ahead 2-0. Andrew Shaw scored late in the frame to cut the lead in half. Blues goaltender Jake Allen stopped 21 of 22 shots. Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford made 23 saves. The Blackhawks were 0-for-2 on the power play.
What it means: The Blackhawks will begin the playoffs on the road. The best they can finish now is in third place in the Central Division, and the worst is in the first wild-card spot. The Blues clinched the Central Division title with the Nashville Predators losing to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. The Blues have 107 points. The Predators have 104 and own the tiebreaker over the Blackhawks, who sit third with 102 points. The Wild are in fourth place with 100 and could still overtake the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks have dropped three consecutive games, all by 2-1 scores.
Player of the game: Allen allowed just two goals in the Blues’ two victories over the Blackhawks this week.
Stat of the game: The Blues blocked 19 shots.
What’s next: The Blackhawks close out the regular season on the road Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche. The Blackhawks are 2-2-0 against the Avalanche this season.
