Blues Hand Wild Loss in NHL, 3-2

By ESPN

Nail Yakupov and Magnus Paajarvi are reunited and it feels so good.

Yakupov had a goal and an assist and Jake Allen made several big saves as the St. Louis Blues beat the Minnesota Wild 3-2 on Thursday night.

Alexander Steen and Paajarvi also scored for St. Louis. Patrik Berglund had two assists and Allen made 18 saves for the Blues, who have won four of their past five home openers.

Ryan Suter and Charlie Coyle scored for the Wild, who were 4-0-1 in their previous five season openers.

St. Louis acquired Yakupov, a former first overall draft pick by Edmonton in 2012, from the Oilers in a trade on Oct. 7. Placed on a line with Paajarvi, whom he played with in Edmonton, and Berglund, they totaled five points against the Wild.

"I was nervous a little bit, the first time to play in this building with a new team, it does add a little pressure," Yakupov said. "But I think we did pretty good as a line, had a good couple of shifts and got our legs going."

Yakupov put the Blues ahead 2-1 on his first career slap shot goal at 12:36 of the second. The shot went off Devan Dubnyk's glove and floated over his shoulder into the net.

"He's got a great wrister, but obviously the slapper was a good one today," Paajarvi said. "He's quick and his shot is quick."

Thursday, October 13 Scoreboard

Montreal 4, Buffalo o1

NY Rangers 5, NY Islanders 3

Boston 6, Columbus 3

Tampa Bay 6, Detroit 4

Florida 2, New Jersey 1 (OT)

Pittsburgh 3, Washington 2 (SO)

St. Louis 3, Minnesota 2

Winnipeg 5, Carolina 4 (OT)

Dallas 4, Anaheim 2