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 Bryan Bickell collected a goal and an assist and Marcus Kruger
tallied for the first time in 28 contests for the Blackhawks, who
have won two of the first three meetings between the Central
Division rivals. Brandon Saad had two assists and Corey Crawford
made 25 saves to improve to 13-2-3 in his career versus St. Louis.
Vladimir Tarasenko scored his team-leading 28th goal and captain
David Backes also tallied for the Blues, who have dropped two in a
row following a seven-game winning streak and franchise-best 13-game
point stretch (12-0-1). Paul Stastny notched an assist to extend his
point streak to five games and Brian Elliott turned aside 24 shots.
Saad skated into the offensive zone and entered the left circle
before sliding a slick feed to Hossa, who beat Elliott with a
one-timer from the hash marks to give Chicago a 3-2 lead with 8:41
remaining in the third period. Crawford made the slim advantage
stand up with a brilliant save on a one-timer from Alex Steen with
2:36 left and Hossa sealed the win by scoring into the empty net.
St. Louis defenseman Carl Gunnarsson was caught in the offensive
zone, allowing Kruger to lead a 2-on-1 rush in the other direction
and wrist a shot that sailed past Elliott to open the scoring 4:38
into the contest. Tarasenko scored on a breakaway at 6:52 of the
second period before Bickell jumped on a juicy rebound 4 1/2 minutes
later to regain the advantage for the Blackhawks, but Backes wired a
sharp-angle shot past a fallen Crawford to forge a tie at 12:53.
[to top of second column] |
GAME NOTEBOOK: Kruger's goal was his first since scoring in a 4-1
victory over St. Louis on Dec. 3. The point was Kruger's first since
he had an assist in a 3-2 setback to Columbus on Dec. 20 - a span of
20 contests. ... Chicago RW Patrick Kane had an assist to record his
fourth point in three meetings with St. Louis this season. The 2013
Conn Smythe Trophy winner had an assist in the Blackhawks' 3-2 loss
to the Blues on Oct. 25 before scoring twice in the following
contest. ... Blues RW Ryan Reaves reportedly lost a few teeth after
his hit on Chicago LW Teuvo Teravainen resulted in the rookie's
skate being elevated into his face at 8:32 of the first period.
Reaves, who was whistled for an interference penalty on the
exchange, returned to begin the second.
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