Schwartz scores lone goal in Blues' win over Kings
ST. LOUIS (AP) Jake Allen stopped 27 shots and Jaden Schwartz scored early in the third period, leading the St. Louis Blues over the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 on Saturday night.
It was the first shutout for Allen this season and the 12th in his career.
Schwartz got the first goal by a Blues forward in 169 minutes, 22 seconds. He scored 3:43 into the third off a pass from Jori Lehtera, swiping the puck from in front past goalie Peter Budaj. Vladimir Tarasenko also assisted on Schwartz's first goal of the season.
Los Angeles challenged the play for offsides, but the goal was upheld.
Budaj had 24 saves. He had won five straight dating to last season.
Before Schwartz's goal, the action was sparse in a hard-hitting game. Los Angeles had just 10 shots in each of the first two periods, and the Blues had 13 shots after two periods.
The Blues scored one goal in five of their last six games.
St. Louis has won three in a row against the Kings, who entered play with a four-game winning streak - three in overtime and one in a shootout.
The Kings failed to score on five power-play opportunities. For the season, St. Louis has killed 30 of 32 power plays.
The Blues did not score on four chances with an extra man.
Los Angeles defenseman Braden McNabb left early in the third period with an upper body injury and did not return.
NOTES: St. Louis defenseman Robert Bortuzzo has a lower body injury and will be evaluated in 10 days. Bortuzzo was injured early in the third period in Thursday's 2-1 shootout loss to Detroit. Bortuzzo was skating to the bench after serving a minor penalty and collided with a Red Wings player. ... This game was the only regular season meeting for the teams in St. Louis. The other two games will be played in Los Angeles. ... The Blues announced Bob Plager's No. 5 would be officially retired. Plager will join Al MacInnis, Bob Gassoff, Brian Sutter, Brett Hull, Bernie Federko and his brother, Barclay Plager, as the only players to receive the honor from the Blues. Plager was recognized during the first period. The official ceremony featuring the banner with his number raising will take place Feb. 2 when the Blues host the Toronto Maple Leafs. ... Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester skated in his 999th regular season game.
UP NEXT:
Los Angeles: Play at Chicago on Sunday.
St. Louis: Play at the New York Rangers on Tuesday.
