3 lead changes in the game.
Watch from: 07:42 in 1st pd
Blues 4, Blackhawks 3 (3OT): Alex Steen scored 26 seconds into triple overtime as host St. Louis found its offense to win Game 1 of its Western Conference first-round series.
Jaden Schwartz forced a turnover and backhanded a shot past Corey Crawford (48 saves) from the doorstep with 1:45 remaining in the third period to forge a 3-3 tie. Blues center Maxim Lapierre blocked a shot in the crease during the first overtime and Ryan Miller (39 saves) denied Patrick Sharp on a breakaway in the second extra session to extend the marathon. Steve Ott tapped captain David Backes' centering feed to Steen, who beat Crawford from in close to end the longest game in St. Louis' franchise history.
Fourth-liner Adam Cracknell and Vladimir Tarasenko joined Schwartz with their first career playoff goals for the Blues, who mustered just five tallies during their six-game losing streak to end the season. The Blues host Game 2 on Saturday afternoon.
Brent Seabrook collected a goal and an assist while fellow defenseman Johnny Oduya also tallied for the Blackhawks. Patrick Kane scored in his return from a left knee injury and captain Jonathan Toews notched two assists in his first game since being leveled by Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik.
Sidelined since March 19, Kane showed no ill effects of his injury in his first game since March 19. The reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner reeled in Toews' stretch pass before beating Miller between the pads on a breakaway with 1:36 remaining in the first period to give Chicago a 3-2 lead.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Lapierre had been checked into the crease during overtime before he was hit with a shot by Chicago RW Kris Versteeg. ... Decimated by injuries, St. Louis saw the return of Backes (foot), C Vladimir Sobotka (lower body) and LW Brenden Morrow (foot). Tarasenko also returned after being sidelined since March 15 following surgery to repair a fracture in his right hand. ... After being shut out in three of its last six games, St. Louis drew first blood 4:40 into the first period as Cracknell tapped home a loose puck for the Blues' first tally in 148 minutes, 39 seconds. Cracknell did not score a goal in 19 games played this season. ... Blues D Jay Bouwmeester exited the contest during the first overtime after he was on the receiving end of a high shot. Bouwmeester, who missed the second OT before returning for the third, holds the NHL record for most consecutive games played by a defenseman at 717.
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