The St. Louis Blues gained two important points as they cling to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, following their 4-3 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday night at the United Center.  The Blues, who have two games in hand, lead Edmonton and Columbus by one point in the conference standings with a game against the Blue Jackets coming up Friday night.

Adam Cracknell, just recalled from Peoria to take T.J. Oshie’s spot on the roster scored two goals including a pretty breakaway goal 3:30 into the third period that tied the game at 2-2.  David Backes scored just over three and a half minutes later on a rebound to put the Blues in front 3-2.  it was the captain’s first goal in 15 games. 

Chicago managed to tie the game and gain a point to maintain their first place standing in the Western Conference.  The scored remained tied after the five minute overtime period despite the Hawks outshooting the Blues 36-22.  In the shootout, four Blues scored over six rounds to secure the extra point with Kevin Shattenkirk’s backhander counting as the winner.  The win bumped St. Louis into eighth place in the Western Conference standings with 40 points.

“We had a lead in the third and we don’t like to give up leads in the third period, but the team across the hall has a ton of fire power and just never quit. Tip your cap to them, tip your cap to us a little bit. [It was] one of the more entertaining shootouts I think you’ll ever see.”  Check it out for yourself from NHL.com