Wednesday, February 20, 2008
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Blues' Strong Power-Play Tops Blackhawks

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[February 20, 2008]  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Brad Boyes' 32nd goal put St. Louis ahead to stay and the Blues scored three power-play goals for the second straight game in a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night.

Manny Legace made 19 saves in his 17th straight appearance for the Blues, who are on a 4-0-1 run that has put them back into playoff contention.

The Blues, playing in front of their second consecutive sellout crowd of 19,150, have won consecutive games by a 5-1 score. They also slowed the Blackhawks, who were 4-0-1 in their previous five games but were quiet after Martin Havlat's goal on a breakaway at 1:05 of the first period.

Rookie Jonathan Toews, who had two goals and three assists in four games since returning from a sprained left knee, was limited to one shot. Patrick Lalime gave up four goals after allowing one in each of the last two games.

St. Louis entered the night in 11th place in the Western Conference, three points out of the final postseason slot with Chicago three points behind. The season series between the traditional rivals is tied at three wins each with two games to go.

The Blues' power play had been last in the NHL before going 3-for-7 in a 5-1 victory over the Kings on Sunday. They were 3-for-6 against the Blackhawks, with Barret Jackman, Lee Stempniak and Keith Tkachuk all scoring.

Boyes' second goal in two games gave the Blues a 2-1 lead in the second period. Andy McDonald broke free in the Chicago zone, hit Paul Kariya on a cross-ice pass and Boyes banged in the rebound at 8:03.

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St. Louis pulled away in the third period, outshooting the Blackhawks 12-4. Stempniak's 11th goal capitalized on a double-minor against Tuomo Ruutu for high sticking and boarding at 11:04, Tkachuk scored his 19th on a power play at 12:26 and Jay McClement added an empty-net goal with 2:32 to go.

A long rebound led to Havlat's breakaway and he tapped in his own rebound for the Blackhawks' first two shots of the game. Jackman's second goal of the season tied it at 10:48 on a power play with a shot that deflected off a Blackhawks player near the net.

Notes: The first period featured three scrums, beginning with a fight between the Blues' Dan Hinote and Chicago's Craig Adams only 2 seconds after the opening faceoff. ... Havlat has three goals and an assist in the last four games. ... The Blues have had 15 sellouts. ... Blues rookie David Perron, who scored his 12th goal Sunday, was a healthy scratch.

[Associated Press; By R.B. FALLSTROM]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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