– Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images
Alexander Steen was on display against the Lightning as his three points propelled the Blues to a 6-3 victory.
Steen now leads all players in the NHL since Dec. 27 with 27 points since that date. Steen is now just six points behind Vladamir Tarasenko for the team-lead in points.
Steen was not the only player putting up points, as the entire top line of Steen, Oshie and Backes combined for three goals and four assists.
With the win, St. Louis improves to 36-15-4 and remains second in the Central Division behind the Nashville Predators.
In the first period, the top unit for St. Louis got things started as Steen got the puck over to Oshie who sent a wrist shot past the 6’7″ Ben Bishop in net. The goal put St. Louis on top 1-0 just 1:50 into the period.
The Blues wasted little time before adding to that total as 2:58 later, Dmitrij Jaskin scored his 8th of the season with the assist from Steen to give St. Louis a two-goal lead early on the road.
The Blues led by two, headed into the second period, and are third in the NHL in winning percentage when scoring first at about 83 percent.
In the second period, Tampa Bay countered as Tyler Johnson netted his 20th of the season after a well-placed pass from Nikita Kucherov. The goal cut the lead to one with 11:57 left in the second session.
But St. Louis jumped back out in front as it scored three goals in 3:08 of play.
The first came from a turnover by Steven Stamkos in front of the Tampa Bay net. Backes forced the turnover and took a shot that was tipped past Bishop by Steen for his 19th goal of the season.
Just minutes later, T.J. Oshie won a puck battle in the offensive end and circled behind the net. Oshie sent a pass between his legs out front to Backes who beat Bishop up high for his 19th of the season and 25th point since Dec. 27.
But the Blues were not done yet as Patrik Berglund fired a shot on net that was turned aside right to Paul Stastny who put back the rebound to make it 5-1 with 4:37 remaining in the second period.
Brett Connelly scored a late-period goal to bring the game to 5-2 headed into the third.
Although Steven Stamkos netted his 29th of the season mid-way through the third period, Tarasenko added an empty net goal to seal it for St. Louis.
Brian Elliott stopped 20 out of 23 shots for his 17th win of the season and first since Feb. 3.
The Blues will be back in action again in Florida this time against the Florida Panthers. The game is set for Sunday, Feb. 15 at 4 p.m. CT.
