Brandon Bollig #52 of the Chicago Blackhawks hits Kent Huskins #6 of the St. Louis Blues between Jamal Mayers #22 and Niklas Hjalmarsson #4 at the United Center on March 29, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO (AP) — Dave Bolland scored the only goal in a four-round shootout and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the St. Louis Blues 4-3 on Thursday night to move closer to clinching a playoff berth.
The Blackhawks needed a victory and for Phoenix to lose to San Jose in regulation later Thursday night to clinch their fourth straight trip to the postseason.
The Blues, who have a league-leading 106 points, could have clinched the Central Division title with a victory.
St. Louis goalie Jaroslav Halak, starting after the Blues’ other goalie, Brian Elliott, had posted three straight shutouts, made 37 saves. Seven of those came in overtime, including a great stop on Patrick Kane with about half a minute left.
Kris Russell’s long slap shot through traffic was tipped in by David Perron with 1:32 left in regulation to tie the game, rallying the Blues after Chicago had taken a 3-1 lead early in the final period.
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