• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Blues host quick-starting Ducks

Oct 30, 2014 - 3:08 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The St. Louis Blues will try to push their winning streak to three straight games on Thursday night as they play host to the Anaheim Ducks.

The Blues are coming off a 4-3 road win over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, with Vladimir Tarasenko capping off his first career hat trick with a power-play goal in overtime.

After the Stars' Tyler Seguin was called for high-sticking just 14 seconds into the extra frame, Tarasenko one-timed a Kevin Shattenkirk pass at the right circle that beat Kari Lehtonen to the short side.

Tarasenko's first two tallies on the night were both game-tying goals in a back-and-forth contest.

Jori Lehtera posted a goal and two assists. Brian Elliott turned away 25 shots for the Blues, who have won two in a row for the first time this season.

"It was a wild game," said Blues coach Ken Hitchcock. "It was the best and worst for both teams."

One of the worst parts for St. Louis was captain David Backes leaving the game after taking a hit from Dallas defenseman Trevor Daley late in the first period. The forward hit his head on the ice and did not return to the game.

Backes did not practice on Wednesday, but he has not been ruled out for Thursday's game.

While the Blues are looking to get on a roll, the Ducks have been red-hot since the start of the season. They won for the eighth time in their first 10 games, blanking Chicago 1-0 on Tuesday.

John Gibson made 38 saves to record his second career shutout, while Devante Smith-Pelly scored the game's only goal short-handed with 8:28 left in regulation.

After several close calls on Gibson during a Chicago power play, Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook stumbled as he tried to corral a pass at the blue line. An alert forechecking Smith-Pelly swooped in alone up the middle and beat Chicago goaltender Scott Darling with a backhander between the pads.

"I know he's a big goalie, so I wanted to get him moving side to side and it squeaked through," Smith-Pelly said.

The Ducks won the opener of a four-game swing, bouncing back after having a seven-game winning streak halted with a 4-1 loss to San Jose on Sunday.

Anaheim has won three of its past four in St. Louis and beat the Blues for the fourth straight time overall with a 3-0 home win on Oct. 19. Frederik Andersen made 28 saves in his first career shutout, Sami Vatanen scored a pair of power-play goals and Matt Beleskey set the tone with a goal 1:37 into the game.

Elliott allowed three goals on 25 shots faced in the Blues' ninth loss in their past 12 versus the Ducks.