Spectacular goaltending has become a staple of this first round series between the Blues and Blackhawks. In a game that saw 82 shots combined between the two teams, the Blues stayed the course and benefited from a lethal special teams for a 3-2 victory.
Blues vs. Blackhawks 2016 final score: Special teams the key in 3-2 St. Louis victory
After surviving a sloppy opening 10 minutes, the Blues turned the special teams play to their advantage as they take a 2-1 series lead.
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The Blackhawks went 1-for-4 on the power play while the Blues went a hot 2-for-3.
Even so, the Blues found themselves in penalty trouble early, taking three minors win the opening six minutes. Their first bit them after a scrum earned Kyle Brodziak four minutes for roughing. Brent Seabrook capitalized on the opening power play, blasting a puck past Brian Elliott from the blue line.
But what goes around came back around for the Blackhawks, who after taking their first penalty of the afternoon surrendered a power play goal to rookie defenseman Colton Parayko seven seconds into the minor. Combined between the two teams, 16 penalty minutes were distributed in the first 20 minutes.
Seconds after a mad scramble started the second period down in the Blues end, Artem Anisimov put home a twisting puck on Elliott's doorstep to make it 2-1 Blackhawks.
The Blues attempted to push back after the shift in momentum to the home team, but came away empty handed after a series of Corey Crawford saves helped keep the score in favor of Chicago to end the second period. Crawford had 13 saves in the middle frame.
Patrik Berglund was finally able to get another past Crawford moments into the third period. Benefiting from a deflection off of the leg of a Blackhawk defender and a bounce off the ice, the twisting puck beat Crawford high glove side for the 2-2 score.
Then it was the Blackhawks who drew penalty trouble in a key time. Patrick Kane committed a four minute double minor for high sticking. Just as the first penalty was winding down, Jaden Schwartz finished a pretty passing play between the Blues in tight for the 3-2 lead and game winner with six and a half minutes remaining.
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