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Tkachuk, Boyes helps Blues trounce Stars

Oct 17, 2008 - 5:11 AM ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Blues appeared to be a rebuilding team destined to fall while their young stars learn on the job. As it turns out, the veterans are stealing the show.

Keith Tkachuk ignited another offensive outburst, Paul Kariya added two assists and three defensemen tallied as the Blues rolled past the Dallas Stars, 6-1, on Thursday.

St. Louis last scored six goals in a game on January 8, when it posted a 6-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Beginning a seven-game homestand, the Blues have scored five goals in three of their first four games this season and a league-leading 18 overall.

"We knew they played a physical game, and we needed to be physical tonight," Blues coach Andy Murray said. "Our defense tonight was shooting and scoring. There were great screens. ... I don't think (Stars goaltender Marty) Turco saw anything, and that's a credit to our forwards."

The 36-year-old Tkachuk is a two-time 50-goal scorer but has not reached the 30-goal mark since 2003-04, when he netted 33. This year, he has shown there is plenty of gas left in his tank by scoring in four straight contests.

"I've said it before, we keep working on our special teams because we have to," Tkachuk said. "That's why we have done as well as we have done."

With 7:13 left in the first period, he notched his fifth goal of the season, tying him for the league lead. Defenseman Jay McKee doubled the lead 2:24 later after Tkachuk forced a turnover by Dallas defenseman Stephane Robidas.

"They came out after us and did a good job of taking control of things," Dallas coach Dave Tippett said. "(Turco) should have had the first one, but you have to clear out the traffic or you're in for a rough go of it."

Yan Stastny scored 2:57 into the second, giving the Blues a 3-0 advantage. Stastny received a pass from D.J. King while behind the net and skated toward the corner before firing a wrist shot from the doorstep past Turco.

"There's lots to say, and I had lots to say in (the locker room)," Tippett said. "The goalie has to be one of our top players, but that doesn't take the other 19 off the hook."

Brad Boyes netted a power-play goal with 7:01 left in the session, converting a pass from Kariya. Blue-liner Steve Wagner capped the three-goal period just over four minutes later.

"We aren't waiting for things to happen," Boyes said. "We're taking shots when they are there and not being too fine or too picky. Especially (on the power play), when they are circling like bees, you have to take it when it's there."

Tobias Stephan relieved Turco after two periods and yielded a power-play goal by defenseman Eric Brewer with 7:11 remaining in the third.

"It's great to see people step up from everywhere," Brewer said. "And everyone on defense had a good night at both ends."

Turco yielded five tallies on 18 shots, while Stephan made four saves.

"It's a little bit of everything, and it's certainly not a good thing to have played like I have," Turco said. "The reality is, I need to get back to doing whatever I can to help this team win. I need to be there for the guys in front of me.

"I care deeply about this team and we are trying to straighten this out. I need to worry about stopping pucks, and it's imperative to have good goaltending if you are going to win in this league. I know what I need to do."

Manny Legace turned aside 28 shots for St. Louis, which converted two of its four power-play opportunities to improve to 9-for-18 with the man advantage this campaign.

Krys Barch netted the lone goal for the Stars, who outshot the Blues, 12-5, in the third period and went 0-for-3 on the power play. They have now converted just two of 21 opportunities with the man advantage this season.

Dallas refused to make Wednesday's grueling 6-4 win over the Nashville Predators an excuse for its lackluster play in this one.

"We have to respond better out of the gate," Stars captain Brenden Morrow said. "Our kids have to understand that after a physical game like we had last night, you have to get ready to go."