Blues 4, Ducks 2
Defenseman Ian Cole recorded his first career three-point game, T.J. Oshie scored twice and the St. Louis Blues turned in another strong defensive effort to defeat the visiting Anaheim Ducks 4-2 on Thursday.
On a day when St. Louis Cardinals icon Albert Pujols was lost via free agency to the Los Angeles Angels, the Blues improved the mood of the city with their 10th win in 15 games since Ken Hitchcock took over as coach. The triumph was also St. Louis' 900th at home in team history.
St. Louis has allowed 24 goals in its last 15 games.
Jaroslav Halak made 21 saves, including a game-saving stop on Andrew Cogliano in the third period to maintain St. Louis’ 3-2 lead.
Cole took advantage of extra playing time with Kevin Shattenkirk sidelined with the flu. He had two assists to go along with his first goal of the season and second of his career at 7:39 of the second period to snap a 1-1 tie.
Carlo Colaiacovo collected Anaheim defenseman Cam Fowler’s weak dump in and fed Oshie, who went in alone and beat Jonas Hiller with a wrist shot to put the Blues ahead 3-1 at 18:14 of the second.
Anaheim’s Devante Smith-Pelley made it 3-2 when he chopped one past Halak at 3:17 of the third period before the netminder shut the door on the Ducks, who fell to 1-3-0 under coach Bruce Boudreau.
The Blues’ Chris Porter and the Ducks’ Bobby Ryan scored in the first period. Ryan has three goals in his last two games.