NHL PLAYOFFS : Butcher’s First Playoff Goal Lifts Blues, 4-3

Garth Butcher, who scored only five goals during the regular season, got the game-winner on a third-period deflection Friday night as the St. Louis Blues defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs, 4-3, in Game 3 of the Norris Division final playoff series.

Butcher’s first goal of the playoffs and first overall since Feb. 28 came at 9:24 of the third period and gave the Blues, who finished fourth in the Norris during the regular season, a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

It was the first time a game was settled in regulation play in this series and ended a run of three consecutive overtime games for each team.

Game 4 is Sunday at St. Louis.

Butcher started the play by knocking Glenn Anderson off the puck at center ice, then headed for the net on a three-on-one break with Kevin Miller and Rich Sutter. Miller sidestepped Jamie Macoun at the blue line before passing to Sutter, and Butcher tipped Sutter’s feed past goaltender Felix Potvin.

Butcher had only one shot during his first six playoff games, but had four during Game 3.

Toronto’s Mike Krushelnyski, a scratch in Games 1 and 2, had tied it at 6:05 of the third period when he scored from close range for his first playoff goal since 1990.

Brendan Shanahan scored twice during the second period as the Blues rallied from a two-goal deficit to take a 3-2 lead.

Shanahan, a 51-goal scorer during the regular season, didn’t have a point during the first two games. His third goal of the playoffs tied it, 2-2, and his fourth gave the Blues a 3-2 lead at 14:47 of the second period.

Brett Hull added his seventh playoff goal for St. Louis and Craig Janney had three assists.