North Stars Stop Blues, Hull Again, 5-1

While frustration is beginning to mount for Brett Hull and the St. Louis Blues, the Minnesota North Stars are showing absolutely no signs of overconfidence.

After scoring 86 regular-season goals and eight more in the opening round of the playoffs, Hull has no goals and only eight shots in three games against the North Stars. Monday night, he continued to be checked hard by Stewart Gavin and Gaetan Duchesne and got only three shots in Minnesota’s 5-1 victory.

The Blues also trail the best-of-seven series 2-1 because their once potent power play has fizzled. They failed on all seven opportunities Monday and are four for 57 in the playoffs.

With Hull, who scored a league-high 29 times, St. Louis’ power play was the league’s eighth best. But the Blues’ only power play goal in their last 35 attempts was accidentally put in by Minnesota’s Marc Bureau.

“It takes five guys working, not two or three,” said Hull, who is in his first three-game scoreless streak of the season.

“I’m just trying to do the things I’m supposed to do.”

Blue goalie Vincent Riendeau gave up four goals on eight shots before being benched in favor of Pat Jablonski.