(Photo Credit: AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)
The St. Louis Blues responded to a two-game losing streak with a big win Saturday over the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1. Six different Blues found the back of the net and with the victory now sit just two points out first place behind the Nashville Predators.
The Blues struck first late in the first period when Vladamir Tarasenko found the stick of Jaden Shwartz, who capitalized on his 22nd goal of the season. St. Louis doubled its money minutes later when T.J. Oshie netted his 18th of the year to take a 2-0 lead.
St. Louis continued the first period onslaught with a late goal from Tarasenko to stretch its lead to three triggering Maple Leaf head coach Peter Horachek to pull his goalie Jonathan Bernier after just one period.
In the second period, after St. Louis was handed a penalty for too many men on the ice, Chris Butler capitalized on a faceoff win by Jori Lehtera stretch the Blues lead to 4-0.
Later St. Louis went on the power play and padded its lead with a goal from Paul Stastny. Stastny’s goal was the only power play scored on the night by either team in nine tries.
The Blues would add another goal in the third from David Backes after St. Louis net minder Brian Elliot made the lone mistake of the night giving up a goal to Toronto’s David Booth.
St. Louis brought the heat to a struggling Maple Leafs team following a disappointing effort against the Philadelphia Flyers the last time out. The Blues outshot the Leafs 44-24 and were +8 in takeaways on the night.
Next up St. Louis travels back home to take on the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, March 10.
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