The Blues (44-28-9) and Winnipeg Jets are one point behind the Nashville Predators, who defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2. The Jets, who lost 3-2 in overtime to the Colorado Avalanche, hold the tiebreaker over the Blues with two more regulation/overtime wins (ROW). St. Louis, Nashville and Winnipeg each has one game remaining.
The Blues, who are 8-1-2 their past 11 games but were coming off a 4-3 shootout loss at the Chicago Blackhawks, set their record for fastest five goals to start a game (9:41). It was the first time they scored five in a period since March 30, 2011, in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings.
"It was nice. We were finishing," center Ryan O'Reilly said. "We came out with some good jump, we got on them right away, we got some good bounces. It gave us some spark. It was a good first for us and got us rolling offensively."
WATCH: [All Flyers vs. Blues highlights]
But St. Louis allowed three goals in the first.
"We made some mistakes and gave up a few, but we tightened her up in the second and third," said forward Alexander Steen, who had two goals and an assist.
Jordan Binnington made 26 saves and set the Blues rookie record with his 23rd win, passing Jake Allen, who won 22 in 2014-15.
The Flyers (37-36-8), eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention, lost their fourth game in a row and sixth in the past seven (1-6-0). They allowed five goals in the first period for the first time since March 15, 1997, against the Buffalo Sabres.
James van Riemsdyk had a goal and an assist for Philadelphia, and Brian Elliott allowed four goals on five shots before being replaced by Carter Hart, who made 27 saves.
"I think human nature always comes down to how much intensity you bring," Elliott said. "When you're not fighting for something like the playoffs, it's a lot tougher to get up for it, but it's still our job to win hockey games. That's why it's disappointing the way things unfolded tonight."
