Blackhawks 4, Blues 3 (OT)
Captain Jonathan Toews scored 3:19 into overtime as the Chicago Blackhawks skated to a 4-3 home victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday in a battle of Central Division rivals.
Defenseman Nick Leddy collected a goal and an assist and Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky also tallied for Chicago (43-28-9), which remained tied with the Anaheim Ducks (44-30-5) for seventh place in the Western Conference standings. The Ducks cruised to a 6-2 victory over the Pacific Division champion San Jose Sharks on Wednesday.
Making his 25th consecutive start, Corey Crawford finished with 21 saves to improve to 3-0-1 in his brief career against the Blues.
Toews ended the contest by skating up the left wing and wristing a shot past Ty Conklin for his 32nd goal of the season. The tally was Toews' first point in five games.
With the Blues staked to a 2-0 lead, Hossa put the Blackhawks on the scoreboard in controversial fashion just 7:52 into the second period. Patrick Sharp's centering feed caromed off Hossa's skate, traveled along the goal line before eventually being knocked over by the Blues. After a lengthy review, Hossa was credited with tally since he did not distinctly kick the puck into the net.
After Kopecky and Leddy tallied to give Chicago a 3-2 lead, Chris Stewart leveled the contest by splitting a pair of defenders and flicking the puck under the crossbar midway through the third period.
T.J. Oshie collected a goal and an assist and David Backes scored just 17 seconds into the contest for his 31st goal of the season and fifth in seven games.
Conklin turned aside 35 shots for St. Louis (37-30-11).