Binning ton posts second straight shutout as Blues trounce Wild

[February 18, 2019]  Rookie Jordan Binnington recorded his second straight shutout and the third consecutive for the St. Louis Blues, who breezed to a franchise-high-tying 10th straight win with Sunday's 4-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Saint Paul, Minn.

Vladimir Tarasenko extended his point streak to a career-best 12 games with a goal and two assists to stake Binnington, who made 31 saves to win his franchise-rookie-record eighth straight start. Binnington highlighted the performance by denying Wild defenseman Ryan Suter from point-blank range late in the second period, and notched his fourth shutout and improve to 12-1-1 on the season.

Ryan O'Reilly and Brayden Schenn each scored and set up a goal, and defenseman Vince Dunn also tallied for the Blues, who defeated Minnesota for the first time in three tries this season.

Alex Stalock turned aside 26 shots for the Wild, who have dropped five in a row at home (0-3-2) and eight of nine overall (1-5-3).

St. Louis opened the scoring with a power-play tally. O'Reilly gained possession of the puck along the right-wing boards before sending a cross-slot pass to Tarasenko, who made no mistake from the left circle for his team-leading 26th goal at 5:08 of the first period.

Tarasenko returned the favor with 30 seconds remaining in the period, wiring a cross-seam pass to O'Reilly in the right circle. O'Reilly wristed a shot over the right shoulder of Stalock, giving St. Louis a 2-0 lead and netting Tarasenko his 400th career point -- with 22 (11 goals, 11 assists) coming during his last 12 games.

Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) makes a save in the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports

Tarasenko received a scare just 40 seconds into second period, as he lost his balance and fell feet first into the boards while fending off Minnesota defenseman Jared Spurgeon. Tarasenko returned to the ice a few minutes later.

St. Louis converted a 3-on-1 rush as Schenn set up Dunn's wrist shot from the slot at 7:27 of the second period.

Schenn got into the act just over 4 1/2 minutes later as his backhand shot hit sliding Wild defenseman Nick Seeler, whose momentum carried the puck into the net.

--Field Level Media

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