Tarasenko shows up and scores a hat trick as the Blues even up their series with the Wild

St. Louis Blues Vladimir Tarasenko and Mikko Kolvu of Minnesota Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

The Blues leading scorer Vladimir Tarasenko, who did not register a shot on goal in the series opener, scored three times including an empty-netter to give the Blues a 4-1 win and tie up their Stanley Cup Playoff Series at a game apiece with the Minnesota Wild.

Tarasenko scored the Blues first two goals in the first period.  He gave the Blues a 1-0 lead on a tip-in off a shot from Kevin Shattenkirk.  His second came on a power play goal late in the first with an assist again from Shattenkirk.  The defenseman now has four assists in the first two games.

After a scoreless second period, Minnesota scored a goal early in the third, and after holding off a fierce charge by the Wild, Patrik Berglund scored with just under two minutes to go in the game to ice the victory.  Tarasenko added the fourth goal moments later.

Game three of the series will be in St. Paul on Monday night at 7 p.m. CT.