Blues Take 3-1 Lead Over Blackhawks, NHL News

The lessons were difficult and painful. Three straight years of regular-season success for St. Louis, followed by playoff failure.

The Blues learned. They persevered, and they are roaring right now.

Vladimir Tarasenko scored on two dazzling wrist shots, Brian Elliott made 39 saves and St. Louis beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 on Tuesday night to open a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.

"We just have a belief that we can beat anybody," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said.

Jaden Schwartz scored a tiebreaking power-play goal in the third period for the second straight game as St. Louis moved one step closer to advancing to the second round for the first time since 2012. The Blues looked ready for deep playoff runs in each of the previous three seasons only to be eliminated in the opening series each time.

Game 5 is Thursday night in St. Louis.

"There's a good feeling that we're more cohesive and playing for each other and doing the right things all over the ice than we ever had in this locker room," captain David Backes said, "and that bodes well for our group."

Duncan Keith had two goals for Chicago, which dropped consecutive home playoff games for the first time since 2012. Andrew Shaw had a goal and two assists, and Corey Crawford finished with 16 saves after getting into a fight with Blues rookie Robby Fabbri during a wild second period.

Shaw was sent off for interference at 17:56 of the third, hurting Chicago's chance for a comeback. While he was sitting in the penalty box, it looked as if Shaw directed a gay slur toward someone on the ice, and a gay rights group affiliated with the NHL said it planned to reach out to the league "to assist in an appropriate response."

"Emotions are high. I don't really know what's said," Shaw said when asked about what happened. "Like I said, I was obviously upset with the call. Being that late in the game, it doesn't give us a chance to tie it up."

With Keith in the box for holding Alexander Steen, Schwartz intercepted a clearing attempt by Blackhawks defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk and beat Crawford low on his stick side at 1:36. Schwartz had the game-winning goal in St. Louis' 3-2 victory in Game 3 on Sunday.

Steen then picked off a pass by van Riemsdyk and went in all alone on Crawford for his first goal of the series at 4:46, stunning the sellout crowd of 22,212.

Tuesday, April 19 Scoreboard

Pittsburgh 3, NY Rangers 1

Game 3 - Penguins lead 2-1

Tampa Bay 3, Detroit 2

Game 4 - Lightning lead 3-1

St. Louis 4, Chicago 3

Game 4 - Blues lead 3-1

Anaheim 3, Nashville 0

Game 3 - Predators lead 2-1

Wednesday, April 20 Schedule (All Times Central)

Washington at Philadelphia

Game 4 - Capitals lead 3-0, 6 p.m.

Florida at NY Islanders

Game 4 - Islanders lead 2-1, 7 p.m.

Dallas at Minnesota

Game 4 - Stars lead 2-1, 8:30 p.m.

Los Angeles at San Jose

Game 4 - Sharks lead 2-1, 9:30 p.m.