Blackhawks vs. Blues 2017 final score: Vladimir Tarasenko scores twice in St. Louis’ first outdoor game win

After a thrilling Centennial Classic in Toronto over the weekend, the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues had a high bar to clear in the 2017 Winter Classic on Monday.

They cleared it, weather and all.

The Blues pleased their home fans at Busch Stadium with a hard-fought 4-1 win over their division rivals. Vladimir Tarasenko’s two goals late in the third period put the game away behind a good day from goalie Jake Allen.

The game went off without a hitch and on schedule despite a light rain at the beginning of the game and a few wonderful hiccups before puck drop. As the rain went away, the pace of the game picked up significantly.

Chicago, playing in its fifth outdoor NHL game, got on the board first. Artemi Panarin tossed a puck off the boards to Michal Kempny at the blue line, and the rookie fired the puck past Allen for the 1-0 lead.

It took St. Louis until midway through the second period to even the score. Defenseman Jay Bouwmeester drove deep into the Blackhawks’ zone and passed back in front of the net, where Patrik Berglund netted the game-tying goal.

Perhaps the weather conditions affected special teams, considering both teams went a combined 0 for 5 through the first two periods on the power play. That included a missed opportunity for Chicago when Blues forward Robby Fabbri got penalized for boarding late in the second period.

The daggers didn’t come until the final 10 minutes of regulation when Tarasenko buried the game-winning goal. Or, rather, the Blackhawks buried it for him.

Minutes later, Tarasenko made up for it. Alex Steen added an empty-netter to seal the 4-1 win.

Tarasenko has nine goals and 13 points in his last nine games against the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks still lead the Central Division, but the Blues’ win brings them within four points of the Minnesota Wild of second place.

For more on the memorable day, visit our Blues blog and our Blackhawks blog.