The Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues continued their battle for the top spot in the NHL Central Division Thursday night in St. Louis with a Blues’ 2-1 victory.
The Blues survived late game pressure put on by the Blackhawks’ offense, securing their first-place Central Division title.
Rookie goaltender Jake Allen stopped 21 of 22 shots by the Blackhawks, including two power-play attempts. Blackhawks’ goalie Corey Crawford stopped 23 of the 25 shots he faced.
The first-place Blues opened up scoring late in the second period on a Dimitrij Jaskin power-play goal. Paul Stastny added the second tally on a 3-on-1 breakaway in the third. Andrew Shaw scored the lone Blackhawks’ goal, giving the team a late-game spark but it was not to be.
The Blackhawks gave the Blues five power-plays, killing all but one penalty, a double-minor high stick by David Rundblad that led to Jaskin’s goal.
It was the same story for the Blackhawks, a great penalty kill, but the offense was missing. Despite the goal, the Blackhawks were outshot by the Blues 25-22. They have had 11 straight failed power-play attempts. While there is no excuse for the lack of offense, the Blackhawks are missing star winger Patrick Kane, who has been one of the Hawks best offensive platers this season. Kane has been sidelined with a collarbone injury since Feb. 24.
The Blackhawks can secure second place with a win against the Colorado Avalanche Saturday (and a Minnesota Wild loss), while the Blues will play the Wild.