ST. LOUIS _ Good things came in threes Thursday for the Blues. Backup goalie Carter Hutton made his third consecutive start and that helped the Blues produce their third consecutive victory, 2-1 over the previously scorching-hot Vegas Golden Knights before a sellout crowd of 18.976 at Scottrade Center.
It marked the Blues' first three game-winning streak since early December and the first three-game winning streak at home since late October when the Blues defeated Calgary (Oct. 25), Colorado (Oct. 28) and the Los Angeles Kings (Oct. 30).
Center Paul Stastny, who hadn't scored in his past 11 games, gave the Blues a 2-1 lead six minutes into the third period with a strong second-effort play. Colton Parayko got things started with a strong rush and shot that careened off Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.
Stastny came crashing hard to the net for the rebound. Vladimir Sobotka took a whack at the puck in front of the net as well. But from behind the net, and behind Fleury, Stastny stayed with the play and tucked the puck into the net for his eighth goal of the season. It was the first game-winner of the campaign for Stastny.
Alexander Steen gave the Blues a 1-0 lead at the 9:35 mark of the first period. The Golden Knights tied the game at the 9:23 mark of the second period on an Erik Haula goal.
The Blues improved to 26-15-2 and took over first place in the Central Division with 54 points, ahead of idle Winnipeg 53 points. Vegas, which had won eight straight entering Thursday's game, fell to 27-10-2.
