DALLAS — Chris Mason made 41 saves, and rookie T.J. Oshie scored the go-ahead goal in the third period in the St. Louis Blues’ 3-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.
With the game tied at 1, Oshie skated in from the right side and lifted a sharp-angle shot over goalie Marty Turco’s shoulder at 6:50 of the third period.
Jay McClement and Patrik Berglund also scored for the Blues, 8-2-4 in their last 14 games to move into playoff contention.
Mason withstood a 14-shot first period and has allowed four goals in his last four games to improve to 10-3-4 in his last 17 games.
Turco made 19 saves, and Jere Lehtinen had a goal, but Lehtinen missed on two other prime chances for the Stars, who lost their third in a row.
Berglund scored his 17th goal of the season at 8:59 of the third period to extend the Blues’ lead to 3-1.
Dallas got off to a fast start when Lehtinen tapped in Mike Ribeiro’s centering pass at 6:16 of the opening period. Lehtinen nearly scored again about 5 minutes later, but was denied by Mason on a breakaway. Lehtinen’s shot hit the post with about 13:45 to play.
Stars defenseman Stephane Robidas also came close with less than 9 minutes remaining when his shot rang off the post, and Mark Parrish’s attempt for Dallas hit the crossbar with 1:50 left.
The Blues tied it at 1 with the help of Turco’s puckhanding gaffe. Dallas held a 12-3 shots advantage when Turco’s clearing pass landed on the stick of McClement, who scored into an open net at 13:09 of the first period.
Dallas is without two of its top four centers: Brad Richards (broken wrist) and Toby Petersen (broken bone in his foot). With both scheduled to be out for at least a month, the Stars acquired center Steve Begin earlier in the day in a trade with Montreal for seldom-used defenseman Doug Janik.
The 30-year-old Begin, who had six goals and four assists in 42 games for Montreal this season, will join the team for Friday’s practice.
Notes: Dallas C Mike Modano was back after missing the previous
game with the flu. … Turco made his 31st consecutive start, extending his franchise record. … Mason was playing in his 17th straight game. … The Blues have won the first two meetings between the teams by a combined score of 9-2. … Dallas had been 10-5 in its previous 15 games. … Blues D Carlo Colaiacovo had to be helped from the ice with 2:39 left in the second period and did not return after getting hit in the ankle by a slap shot. … Dallas is 0-for-12 on the power play in its last three games.
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