Blues 2, Kings 1: Patrik Berglund scored the tying goal early in the third period and defenseman Barret Jackman broke the deadlock with 51 seconds remaining as St. Louis seized a 2-0 lead in its Western Conference first-round series against visiting Los Angeles.
Brian Elliott made 28 saves for the fourth-seeded Blues, who travel to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Saturday.
St. Louis dominated the third period and took control of the series on Jackman's first goal in 23 career postseason games. Chris Stewart made a cross-ice pass to the veteran blue-liner, who fired a wrist shot from just above the left faceoff circle that beat Jonathan Quick to the glove side, sending the Scottrade Center crowd into a frenzy.
Captain Dustin Brown scored and Quick stopped 23 shots for the fifth-seeded Kings, who entered the series having won eight straight meetings with the Blues.
Los Angeles claimed its first lead of the series at 9:55 of the opening period. Just six seconds into a 5-on-3 power play, Brown deflected Mike Richards' shot from the top of the slot past Elliott for his 11th career postseason goal.
The tally held up until 3:44 of the third. Quick made a right pad save on defenseman Alex Pietrangelo's shot from along the right-wing boards, but the rebound hit Berglund's right skate and caromed off the left post before crossing the goal line.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Berglund's goal was the fourth of his postseason career. ... The Blues received a scare midway through the third period, when Brown crashed into Elliott near the left post. The netminder had his right leg pinned underneath him at the time of the collision and needed several minutes to work out the kinks before deeming himself fit to continue. ... Kings RW Justin Williams led all players with eight shots on goal, twice as many as Blues leader Roman Polak.
Los Angeles | St. Louis | |
Dustin Brown 1 | Points | Patrik Berglund 1 |
Dustin Brown 1 | Goals | Patrik Berglund 1 |
Anze Kopitar 1 | Assists | David Perron 1 |
Dustin Brown 1 | Power Play Goals | N/A |
N/A | Short Handed Goals | N/A |
Jonathan Quick .920 | Save Percentage | Brian Elliott .966 |
Jonathan Quick 23 | Saves | Brian Elliott 28 |
Team | Shots | Goals | Power Play | Penalty Kill | Penalty Mins | Face Offs Won |
Los Angeles | 29 | 1 | 1-4 | 4-4 | 8 | 26 |
St. Louis | 25 | 2 | 0-4 | 3-4 | 8 | 32 |