-Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/NHLI via Getty Images
After having a difficult outing against the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis got back on track as Brian Elliott stopped all 27 shots faced to earn his third shutout of the season.
On the offensive end, Kevin Shattenkirk slit the defense and backhanded a shot that was deflected into the net. The goal was Shattenkirk’s 8th of the season and gave the Blues a 1-0 lead with 3:20 remaining in the first period.
The second period was scoreless as Eliott kept the Maple Leafs off the board with four saves in the period. Unfortunately for the Blues, Jonathan Bernier was sharp on the other end as he turned away all 10 shots faced including three shots from St. Louis’s leading goal scorer Vladamir Tarasenko.
Early in the final period, St. Louis would add to its lead as Alex Pietrangelo gave the puck to Alexander Steen, a former Maple Leaf, in the neutral zone. Steen carried play into the offensive zone and went wide past Cody Franson. Steen lost control of the puck, but it went right to David Backes who gave it right back to Steen in front of the net. Steen deked and scored his 15th of the year on a backhand shot giving the Blues a two-goal lead with 18:22 remaining in the game.
Later in the third period, the Blues put the nail in the coffin as Steen carried the puck into the attacking end with T.J. Oshie to his left on a two-on-one. Steen fed the pass over to Oshie who netted a goal up high on Bernier for his 12th of the season.
Steen finished with one goal and one assist on the game for his 9th multi-point game of the season.
The goal helped seal a 3-0 victory for St. Louis as well as a few key stops by Elliott in the third period. Elliott now has 19 career shutouts for the blues, which is one behind Jaroslav Halak for the franchise record.
The win also gives Ken Hitchcock his 685th career win moving him into sole possession of fifth place on the all-time win list.
With the win, St. Louis improves to 28-13-4 and now sits in second in the Central Division just four point behind the Nashville Predators.
Looking for their second win in a row, the Blues will play the Colorado Avalanche Monday Jan. 19. The puck is set to drop at the Scottrade Center at 7 p.m. CT.
