NHL: St. Louis 5, Chicago 1

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ST. LOUIS, March 6 (UPI) -- Jaroslav Halak allowed only a third-period goal Tuesday and received plenty of support in a 5-1 win for St. Louis over Chicago.

The Blues moved two points in front of Detroit at the top of the Central Division. The Blackhawks had won three in a row in their bid to secure a playoff spot. Chicago was in sixth place in the Western Conference going into Tuesday's game, but there were five teams within nine points of the Blackhawks.

St. Louis built a 3-0 lead through two periods, the key goal being the third one -- a shorthanded tally by Vladimir Sobotka early in the second.

Andrew Brunette ruined Halak's bid for a shutout 1:58 into the third, but Andy McDonald scored his second of the game and Jason Arnott produced a goal with just 15 seconds left in regulation.

Halak made 19 saves. Ray Emery gave up the five goals on 31 shots.