Hossa Gets Go-Ahead Goal, Blackhawks Edge Blues, 4-2
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Marian Hossa's power-play goal broke a third-period tie and he clinched it with an empty-netter for the Chicago Blackhawks in a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.
Bryan Bickell had a goal and assisted on the go-ahead tally for Chicago, which also got a goal from Marcus Kruger.
Vladimir Tarasenko and David Backes had a goal apiece for St. Louis, which never led and has lost two straight since a franchise-record 13-game point streak. They're 20-5-2 at home.
Standing room attendance of 19,657 was the Blues' 11th sellout and included thousands of red-clad Blackhawks fans.
Hossa's 11th and 12th goals were his first points in six games. Jay Bouwmeester was off for hooking when Hossa whistled a one-timer past Brian Elliott at 11:19 for a 3-2 lead.
Tarasenko tied it at 2 on a breakaway early in the second, getting Corey Crawford to commit with a couple of forehand fakes and then slipping the puck into the net for his team-leading 28th goal and fourth in five games.
The Blackhawks briefly regained the lead when Bickell pounced on a rebound in the slot and beat Elliott at 11:25 of the second but the Blues answered 1:28 later when Backes scored his 18th goal on a rebound while Crawford was occupied by a fallen T.J. Oshie in the crease.
Kruger's fifth goal on a 2-on-1 break opened the scoring at 4:38 of the first. It was his first point in 20 games and first goal in 28 games since Dec. 3 against the Blues at home.
Notes: Daniel Carcillo earned his 100th career assist on Kruger's goal. ... Tarasenko has four goals in five games. ... Blues coach Ken Hitchcock has 691 career wins and needs one to tie Dick Irwin for fourth on the career list. ... The Blackhawks lead the season series 2-1. ... Crawford is 12-2-0-3 against St. Louis.
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