Blues clinch playoff berth, lose to Golden Knights in OT

LAS VEGAS --The St. Louis Blues clinched a Stanley Cup Playoff berth Friday, losing 4-3 in overtime to the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.

"That's great news especially after tonight's outcome. That wasn't what we wanted," Blues captain Ryan O'Reilly said. "It's good we're in the playoffs. It's something guys worked hard for. It hasn't been easy. But, yeah, it's exciting. We've got to keep going, we've got to keep tweaking our game. Guys worked hard, and it's good to see."
Jonathan Marchessault won it for the Golden Knights on a wrist shot from the slot with 18 seconds left after they rallied from down two.
Nicolas Roy scored the tying goal in the third period for Vegas (38-13-2), which improved to 9-0 in overtime this season and has won 13 of its past 15 games.
The Golden Knights maintained their four-point lead over the Colorado Avalanche for first place in the Honda West Division; Colorado won 3-2 at the Los Angeles Kings on Friday and has played one fewer game than Vegas. The Golden Knights, Avalanche, Minnesota Wild and Blues have clinched the four playoff berths from the division.
O'Reilly, David Perron and Jaden Schwartz scored for St. Louis (24-19-9), which is 5-0-3 in its past eight games. Jordan Binnington made 31 saves.
"Overall, I thought guys competed hard throughout the whole game, 60 minutes," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "'Binner' played well in net, guys did a good job. We found a way to get a point, and that's all we needed.
"… Our team has battled through a lot of injuries this year. … We've had guys step in and do a good job and play and contribute and win games. I'm proud of our guys. They competed hard all year."

Robin Lehner made 22 saves for the Golden Knights after allowing six goals in a 6-5 loss at the Wild on Monday.
"It's no secret (that) the last couple of games, Minnesota and today, I let in some goals that weren't really good," Lehner said. "Just took a breath in the second period and tried to go out there and do my best. We have a special group here. Everyone came here and we did what we needed to do."
The teams conclude their season series here Saturday. Vegas is 5-1-1 against St. Louis.
Reilly Smith gave the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead at 13:23 of the first period.
O'Reilly scored shorthanded at 18:08 to tie it 1-1. Tyler Bozak forced a turnover and passed to O'Reilly in the left face-off circle for the first of his two assists.
"Obviously, it feels good," Bozak said. "You play this game to get in the playoffs and try to win the Stanley Cup, so obviously getting in is the first step and it's obviously a testament to our group."
Perron gave the Blues a 2-1 lead at 14:34 of the second period.
Schwartz scored 1:44 later from a sharp angle to make it 3-1 at 16:18, but Alec Martinez cut it to 3-2 on a one-timer from the point with 10 seconds left in the period.
Roy got a loose puck out of a scramble and spun for a wrist shot from the right circle to tie it 3-3 at 6:52.

The Golden Knights were approved for 50 percent capacity for the game. The 7,567 fans were the most at an NHL game this season.
"It was awesome," Vegas coach Peter DeBoer said. "Every time they open up a new level of attendance, you can feel the energy in the building. We're getting close to where we want to be that way, but it sure is starting to feel full compared to where we were a couple of months ago."
NOTES: The Blues have reached the playoffs 44 times, the most among non-Original Six teams. The Philadelphia Flyers are second at 40. ... St. Louis is one of three NHL teams to make the playoffs at least nine times in the 10 seasons since 2011-12 (Pittsburgh Penguins, 10; Washington Capitals, nine). … Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo played his 300th NHL game. … O'Reilly has scored 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in the past eight games. … Golden Knights forward Max Pacioretty (undisclosed) missed a third consecutive game. … Vegas defenseman Nicolas Hague had two assists to end a 15-game point drought dating to April 5.