Blackhawks Get a Jump on Blues, 3-1

Steve Thomas broke a tie 31 seconds into the third period and Trent Yawney added an insurance goal Tuesday night as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the St. Louis Blues, 3-1, in the opening game of the Norris Division finals.

Steve Larmer also scored for Chicago, which defeated the Norris champion Detroit Red Wings in six games after qualifying for the playoffs with an overtime victory on the final day of the regular season.

Greg Paslawski scored for St. Louis, which finished second in the Norris before beating the Minnesota North Stars in five games in the opening round.

Thomas gave Chicago a 2-1 lead when he scored off a drop pass from Troy Murray for his first goal of the playoffs.

Murray also assisted on Yawney’s goal, which made it 3-1 at 5:04. Murray won a faceoff and passed the puck to Yawney, whose shot from the blue line deflected off St. Louis defenseman Gordie Roberts in the slot and into the net.

After a scoreless first period, Paslawski had given St. Louis the lead when he scored on a rebound shot at 13:58.