Game Notes: Game 3 vs. Wild

The Blues have returned home after taking both games in Minnesota. This marks the 13th time the Blues have taken a 2-0 lead in a playoff series. They won 10 of the previous 12 instances. For just the third time in team history, the Blues have started a series with consecutive road wins. In the previous two series under that distinction, they went on to finish off their opponent in four games (2001 vs. Dallas, 1993 vs. Chicago). Overall, the Blues have now won three straight and seven of their last nine meetings with the Wild. They have returned to Scottrade Center, where they won six of their final eight regular season games. According to Elias, teams that take a 2-0 series lead in a best-of-seven series hold an all-time record of 305-48.

What to Watch

It's all about Jake Allen. The Blues goaltender has gone three consecutive starts without allowing an even-strength goal against the Wild (one goal has come 6-on-5 and the other 5-on-3). Over his last seven starts against the Wild (reg. + postseason), Allen is 6-1-0 with a 1.57 goals-against average and a .945 save-percentage against the Wild. He is looking to become the first Blues goaltender since Roman Turek (2001) to give the Blues a 3-0 series advantage.

Quick Hits

• Joel Edmundson has become the first Blues defenseman to score in consecutive playoff games since Alexander Khavanov (2001)
• The Blues are looking to win three straight playoff games for the first time since 2012 (Games 2, 3, 4, 5 vs. San Jose)
• Alex Pietrangelo has seven points (2g, 5a) over his last six games (reg. + postseason)
• During the reg. season, the Blues scored at least three goals in six of their final eight home games (22-5-0 when scoring 3 or more at home this season)

Blues Career Playoff Leaders (current Blues)

Goals
Vladimir Tarasenko, 19
Paul Stastny, 12
Patrik Berglund, 10
Alexander Steen, 10
Assists
Paul Stastny, 20
Alex Pietrangelo, 19
Jaden Schwartz, 16
Points
Paul Stastny, 32
Vladimir Tarasenko, 26
Alexander Steen, 25

Blues Playoff Streaking

Longest Active Playoff Streaks, NHL
11: Pittsburgh Penguins (since 2006-07)
9: Chicago Blackhawks (since 2008-09)
7: New York Rangers (since 2010-11)
6: St. Louis Blues (since 2011-12)

50th Anniversary Throwback Note

On this day in 1995, Brett Hull scored four goals for the first time in his NHL career, including a natural hat trick in the first period as St. Louis won 6-5 over the visiting Detroit Red Wings. It was the 23rd hat trick of Hull's NHL career.