(SportsNetwork.com) – The St. Louis Blues will try to push their winning
streak to three straight games on Thursday night as they play host to the
Anaheim Ducks.
The Blues are coming off a 4-3 road win over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, with
Vladimir Tarasenko capping off his first career hat trick with a power-play
goal in overtime.
After the Stars’ Tyler Seguin was called for high-sticking just 14 seconds
into the extra frame, Tarasenko one-timed a Kevin Shattenkirk pass at the
right circle that beat Kari Lehtonen to the short side.
Tarasenko’s first two tallies on the night were both game-tying goals in a
back-and-forth contest.
Jori Lehtera posted a goal and two assists. Brian Elliott turned away 25 shots
for the Blues, who have won two in a row for the first time this season.
“It was a wild game,” said Blues coach Ken Hitchcock. “It was the best and
worst for both teams.”
One of the worst parts for St. Louis was captain David Backes leaving the game
after taking a hit from Dallas defenseman Trevor Daley late in the first
period. The forward hit his head on the ice and did not return to the game.
Backes did not practice on Wednesday, but he has not been ruled out for
Thursday’s game.
While the Blues are looking to get on a roll, the Ducks have been red-hot
since the start of the season. They won for the eighth time in their first 10
games, blanking Chicago 1-0 on Tuesday.
John Gibson made 38 saves to record his second career shutout, while Devante
Smith-Pelly scored the game’s only goal short-handed with 8:28 left in
regulation.
After several close calls on Gibson during a Chicago power play, Blackhawks
defenseman Brent Seabrook stumbled as he tried to corral a pass at
the blue line. An alert forechecking Smith-Pelly swooped in alone up the
middle and beat Chicago goaltender Scott Darling with a backhander between the
pads.
“I know he’s a big goalie, so I wanted to get him moving side to side and it
squeaked through,” Smith-Pelly said.
The Ducks won the opener of a four-game swing, bouncing back after having a
seven-game winning streak halted with a 4-1 loss to San Jose on Sunday.
Anaheim has won three of its past four in St. Louis and beat the Blues for the
fourth straight time overall with a 3-0 home win on Oct. 19. Frederik Andersen
made 28 saves in his first career shutout, Sami Vatanen scored a pair of
power-play goals and Matt Beleskey set the tone with a goal 1:37 into the
game.
Elliott allowed three goals on 25 shots faced in the Blues’ ninth loss in
their past 12 versus the Ducks.
