Blues get past Stars for first win
Rally to score twice in third period, Blais has goal, assist
by Louie Korac / NHL.com Independent Correspondent
ST. LOUIS -- Sammy Blais had a goal and an assist, and the St. Louis Blues rallied for two third-period goals to defeat the Dallas Stars 3-2 at Enterprise Center on Saturday.
After Ryan O'Reilly won an offensive-zone face-off, Carl Gunnarsson's shot caromed off Blais and Stars defenseman Taylor Fedun, then went through Bishop's pads at 10:25 of the third to put the Blues ahead 3-2.
"It was a good bounce," Blais said. "When you work hard, you get some good bounces. I'm just happy to be in the position I'm at right now. I've just got to keep going."
[WATCH: All Stars vs. Blues highlights]
David Perron and Brayden Schenn scored, and Jordan Binnington made 28 saves for St. Louis, which got its first win of the season in its second game.
Mattias Janmark scored shorthanded, Miro Heiskanen scored, and Bishop made 27 saves for Dallas, which has lost twice to start the season.
"I think we could have won both games," Bishop said two days after a season-opening 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. "We didn't win either of them. They got a couple lucky bounces tonight. Third one was going five feet wide. I don't know if it went off his [behind] or what and then deflects in. Second one was a little lucky too. Bounces off me and bounces in. Other than that, pretty happy. I feel pretty good out there."
Video: DAL@STL: Schenn fires shot that bounces home
The Stars had a power-play goal by Esa Lindell overturned at 2:23 of the third after the Blues challenged for offside.
St. Louis assistants Sean Ferrell and Steve Ott were adamant about challenging the call.
"It's a turning point. That's a game-changer," Schenn said. "Obviously it gives you some confidence, momentum that you need just one to get yourself back into it, so good job by Sean Ferrell."
Lindell said, "The crowd was loud when they disallowed the goal. It gave them good energy."
Heiskanen gave the Stars a 2-1 lead at 13:12 of the second period.
Video: DAL@STL: Heiskanen scores from along the goal line
Schenn tied it 2-2 at 4:27 of the third when he took a drop pass from Vladimir Tarasenko and his shot trickled in off Bishop's back.
Perron gave St. Louis a 1-0 lead at 1:21 of the first period, but Dallas tied it 1-1 at 11:04 when Blues forward Jaden Schwartz knocked the puck into his own net. Janmark was credited with the goal.
"I thought our first period was really good, especially the first 10 minutes," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "The second, again, it was kind of similar to the first game, and it's all self-inflicted."
St. Louis defeated Dallas in seven games in the Western Conference Second Round last season and went on to win the Stanley Cup.
Video: DAL@STL: Perron stakes Blues to early lead
They said it
"I think we played a good first two periods. Last one wasn't that good. It's getting better and better all the time. We didn't create that much offensive-zone time (in the third period). We have to win tomorrow." -- Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen
"It's not going to be easy. People are going to be playing hard every game. That's the NHL. Every night is a tough game. There's skill on every team. You've got to be prepared, do your best and play hard for each other." -- Blues goalie Jordan Binnington on them being defending Stanley Cup champions
Need to know
Forward Nick Caamano and center Rhett Gardner each made his NHL debut for the Stars. Caamano had one hit in 11:18; Gardner played 12:04 and lost eight of 12 face-offs. ... Blais had his first multipoint game in the NHL. ... Tarasenko has 24 points (16 goals, eight assists) in 28 regular-season games against the Stars.
What's next
Stars: At the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN+, FS-D, FS-SW, NHL.TV)
Blues: At the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, TVAS, TSN4, FS-MW, NHL.TV)