The St. Louis Blues blitzed the Winnipeg Jets, scoring four times in a 5:23 span of the second period to avoid elimination with a 5-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets in Game 6 at Enterprise Center. After Philip Broberg opened the scoring in the first, Winnipeg’s Cole Perfetti replied for Winnipeg with a power-play goal early in the second. Nathan Walker gave the Blues the lead back 5:51 later, and his go-ahead goal was followed by markers from Brayden Schenn, Cam Fowler and Alexey Toropchenko, chasing Connor Hellebuyck. Nino Niederreiter scored a power-play goal 8:34 into the third, but Jets would not pierce Jordan Binnington (21 saves) again. Game 7 will be played Sunday in Winnipeg.
In the AHL, the Charlotte Checkers scored a huge road win by thrashing the Providence Bruins by a 5-1 count in Game 1 of the best-of-five series. John Leonard put the Checkers on top with a shorthanded goal 3:45 into the action and then Justin Sourdif added another 37 seconds later. The Bruins pulled one back at 8:17 when Oliver Wahlstrom beat Kaapo Kähkönen at 8:17. Michael Benning tallied the only goal of the second period, from C.J. Smith and Kyle Criscuolo, at the 5:44 mark. Benning combined with Matt Kiersted to set up Ben Steeves’ goal 1:23 into the third to push the lead to three. Smith completed the scoring with an empty-netter with the lone assist going to captain Trevor Carrick. Kähkönen finished the tilt with 27 saves. Game 2 will be played Sunday at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Tonight in the Stanley Cup Playoffs
- Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars 8 p.m. (ABC) (Series tied 3-3)