The punch to the gut of the Dallas Stars at the end of Game 2 turned into a vicious uppercut as the St. Louis Blues delivered a 6-1 defeat in Game 3. The Blues now lead the series, 2-1.
Stars vs. Blues 2016 final score: Dallas loses composure as Blues rout them in Game 3
St. Louis scored six times to take a 2-1 series lead.
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
Dallas coach Lindy Ruff decided to start Antti Niemi in net after he finished out the overtime loss in Game 2. It didn't pay off, as Niemi gave up three goals on 12 shots before getting pulled in the second period. Alexander Steen led the Blues with two goals, and Troy Brouwer registered two points of his own in the win.
Dallas actually got on the board first. A couple of Stars shots got Blues goalie Brian Elliott flailing, and winger Colton Sceviour fired into an open net for a 1-0 Stars lead.
Everything fell apart for Dallas after that. Steen answered with a goal a minute later, and David Backes gave the Blues the lead for good with four minutes left in the first.
The Stars' defensive composure broke down in the second period. Brouwer danced through Dallas defenseman Kris Russell and Niemi for an easy goal. Vladimir Tarasenko fired a shot off a Dallas defender and into the net off a 3-on-2 chance. Steen was left all alone on a power play late in the period, scored and made it 5-1 before the frame ended.
The Blues went into shut-down mode in the third. The Blues led in shots and killed off a Stars power play chance for the third time in the game. Penalties erupted in the final moments as Dallas’ frustrations boiled over, and Backes scored again to put the final nail in the coffin.
See More:
