Photo by: (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
After a blowout loss in game three, Dallas answered with a 3-2 victory over St. Louis in overtime to tie the series up 2-2.
Cody Eakin netted the difference maker in overtime while Vladamir Tarasenko and Paul Stastny scored the only two goals for the Blues in regulation.
In net, Brian Elliott again had a strong performance stopping 25 of 28 shots faced despite the loss.
In the first period, the Blues kept up momentum from game three.
A defensive miscue by the stars allowed Tarasenko to slip out of his defensive zone behind both blueliners for the stars unnoticed. Jaden Schwartz made the outlet pass that sent Tarasenko in all alone on net. With time, Tarasenko patiently waited before sneaking a shot through the five hole of Kari Lehtonen to make it 1-0 Blues with 9:43 left in the first period.
Tarasenko again got a breakaway opportunity late in the first period off a turnover, but this time, Lehtonen stood tall with the blocker keeping it a one-goal game.
In the second, Dallas responded for the first time on the road.
Early in the second period, Joel Edmundson went back behind the goal line in his own end to retrieve the puck. With no pressure, Edmundson turned and rifled a pass through the middle of the ice. Radek Faksa easily picked off the pass and beat Elliott to the five hole to tie the game at one.
Seconds later, David Backes was called for tripping sending Dallas to the power play.
On the man advantage, Jason Spezza held the puck at the blue line and fed low. Jamie Benn received the pass and walked out to the front of the net finding Patrick Sharp back door for the easy tap in goal.
The Stars scored both goals in :50 of play to take their first lead of the game.
Late in the second period, the Blues answered on a power play chance of their own. On a four on three advantage, Tarasenko held the puck by the top of the circle to Lehtonen’s left. He cocked and fired as Stastny was there to tip it home tying the game up at two.
After a scoreless third period, the game went to overtime for the second time this series.
Early in the extra frame, Benn gave it off Sharp as Sharp swept into the offensive zone. Sharp passed cross ice to Eakin who picked the upper corner over the shoulder of Elliott winning the game for Dallas.
Game give in Dallas will be Saturday, May 7 at noon as the winner will take the series lead.
