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NHL Postseason Caterwaul: Blues trip up Bruins to take 3-2 series lead

The St. Louis Blues are now one win away from the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history after a 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.

Jordan Binnington made 38 saves and a controversial goal by David Perron with 9:24 remaining in regulation gave the Blues a two-goal lead which stood up the rest of the way.

After a scoreless first period that saw Binnington stand on his head and stop 17 shots, St. Louis opened the scoring 55 seconds into the middle frame when Zach Sanford’s nifty between-the-legs backhand pass found Ryan O’Reilly in front and he shoveled the puck over Tuukka Rask for his sixth of the postseason.

The Blues went up by two when the referees missed a trip on Noel Acciari by Tyler Bozak and play continued on. Perron took a pass from O’Reilly and after his first centering attempt was blocked, he tried again to get the puck across to an open Bozak and this time the puck caught Rask’s pad and skidded into the back of the net.

The incensed Bruins struck back 2:56 later when Torey Krug came up with a steal near the blue line and fed Jake DeBrusk for a one-timer from the right circle during a delayed penalty,

Boston came close to tying it up when John Moore ‘s late blast from the point leaked through Binnington’s pads, but Carl Gunnarsson, the overtime hero of Game 2, was able to sweep the dangerous loose puck out of the crease.

The Blues, the only one of the NHL’s remaining 1967 expansion team without a title, will try to clinch the Cup on home ice on Sunday night.

Highlights

Hockey Headlines

Former Florida Panthers assistant coach Jack Capuano has landed a gig with the Ottawa Senators, joining the staff of newly-hired bench boss D.J. Smith. (Silver Seven)

Missed call on Bozak latest ‘black eye’ for NHL officiating. (Sportsnet)

The Dallas Stars had a busy Thursday, signing forward Mattias Janmark and defenseman Roman Polak to contract extensions. (Defending Big D)

Finnish defenseman Tarmo Reunanen signed an entry-level contract with the New York Rangers. The Rangers selected Reunanen in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. (Blueshirt Banter)

The Winnipeg Jets inked Moose forwards JC Lipon and Seth Griffin to one-year, one-way deals to stay with the organization. (Manitoba Moose)

Farmhand Robbie Russo signed a one-year, two-way contract extension to remain with the Arizona Coyotes. (Five For Howling)

Talking Points