ST. LOUIS – T.J. Oshie had two goals and an assist and David Backes got the go-ahead score early in the third period of the St. Louis Blues' 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night.
The Blues have beaten the Canucks twice in nine days, both times with backup goalie Brian Elliott in the nets ahead of the slumping Jaroslav Halak.
Alexandre Burrows and Ryan Kesler scored for the Canucks, who were a lot more competitive than in the previous night's 5-1 loss at Minnesota.
The Blues paid tribute to the Cardinals' World Series championship throughout the game, only their second at home in the last 10. Tony La Russa, Game 7 winner Chris Carpenter and MVP David Freese participated in a ceremonial puck drop, with Carpenter's son, Sam doing the honors.
Footage of La Russa and Freese applauding was shown after Backes scored on his own rebound to make it 3-2 at 5:59 of the third. Backes and the Canucks' Henrik Sedin participated in the puck drop.
Oshie matched his career best for goals and points, with both of the scores coming on rebound shots. He tied it at 1 in the first period and beat Roberto Luongo with an off-balance shot from the left circle to put the Blues up 2-1 early in the second.
Kesler scored on a rebound after Elliott couldn't control a shot high off his body by Dan Hamhuis to tie it early in the third. Blues forward Chris Stewart accidentally swatted the puck into the net as it rolled down Elliott's back.
NOTES: The winner has totaled three goals each of the last six meetings. ... Elliott is 5-1, Halak 1-5. ... The Blues are 4-1-1 in their last six at home against Vancouver. ... Burrows has two goals and an assist his last three games. ... The Blues have sold out 45 consecutive games.
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