Vladimir Tarasenko, who scored a hat trick in game two, was shutout in game three (photo/NHL.com/Blues)
It was repeat of game one. The St. Louis Blues top line was ineffective for the second game in this playoff series with Minnesota and it proved costly as the Wild won on their home ice 3-0, to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven.
The line of Alex Steen (two assists), Vladimir Tarasenko (three goals) and Jori Lehtera (one assist), which led the Blues in Saturday’s win, did not register a shot on goal through the first two periods. In an attempt to spark the team, Blues coach Ken Hitchcock broke the group up.
It didn’t matter.
“They skated a lot and wanted to assert their game and we let them by sitting on our heels and playing passive,” Blues captain David Backes said. “We let them come at us, come at us, come at us and the Granlund line scored two goals for them. They’re dynamite on the rush, they’ve shown that all series and they made us pay tonight.”
Zach Parise, Jason Pominville and Mikael Granlund combined for six points and Devan Dubnyk made 17 saves in the win.
Game 4 is Wednesday night from St. Paul with an 8:30 p.m. start.