ST. LOUIS – Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice, including the tiebreaking goal with 3:51 left Friday night to give the St. Louis Blues a 3-2 victory against the Nashville Predators in Game 2 to tie the Western Conference semifinal series.

Jori Lehtera also scored for the Blues, and Jake Allen stopped 22 shots – including 14 in the third period.

Ryan Ellis had a goal and an assist, and James Neal also scored for the Predators, who had their franchise-high five-game postseason winning streak snapped. Pekka Rinne finished with 17 saves.

Game 3 is Sunday at Nashville, Tennessee.

Tarasenko’s winner came on a lucky bounce. Jaden Schwartz led the rush and initially tried to pass to Carl Gunnarsson, but it was off the mark and bounced off Gunnarsson’s foot right to Tarasenko’s stick.

It was the first lead for St. Louis in 116:09 of the series.

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Ellis put the Predators ahead 2-1 at 3:07 of the third period, taking advantage of a turnover by Vladimir Sobotka and firing a slap shot past Allen.

Lehtera tied it at 7:39. Colton Parayko’s shot came loose in front of the net and Patrik Berglund took a whack at it before Lehtera buried it for his first goal of the postseason.

Neal gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 7:49 of the first period. Ellis took a shot from the point that deflected off Colton Sissons and then Neal before deflecting over Allen and into the net.

Tarasenko made it 1-1 with a power-play goal with 19.4 seconds remaining in the opening period.

NOTES

HURRICANES-BLACKHAWKS: Carolina acquired goalie Scott Darling, a former University of Maine player, from Chicago for a draft pick.

The Blackhawks will receive a third-round pick in this summer’s draft.

PENGUINS: Carl Hagelin will be a game-time decision to return to the lineup Saturday night for Game 2 against Washington.

Coach Mike Sullivan said Hagelin has progressed far enough in his recovery from a lower-body injury to be an option to play for the first time since March 10. Hagelin took part in a full-contact practice, opening the door for the winger’s return.


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