Tarasenko, Hutton lead Blues over Rangers 3-2

St. Louis Blues goalie Carter Hutton (40) blocks a shot by New York Rangers' Derek Stepan (21) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, in St. Louis. The Blues won 3-2.
St. Louis Blues goalie Carter Hutton (40) blocks a shot by New York Rangers' Derek Stepan (21) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, in St. Louis. The Blues won 3-2.

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and an assist, Carter Hutton stopped 33 shots and the St. Louis Blues beat the New York Rangers 3-2 on Saturday night.

Tarasenko has three goals in three games for the undefeated Blues after netting 40 last season.

St. Louis has begun the season with three straight wins for the fourth time. St. Louis also started 3-0-0 in 1969-70, 1993-94 and 2013-14.

Hutton got his first win and made several tough saves in his first game with St. Louis. He signed to a two-year, $2.25 million free agent contract on July 1 to back up Jake Allen.

The Rangers outshot St. Louis 35-18, with New York's Henrik Lundqvist making 15 saves.

The Blues scored quickly, taking a 1-0 lead just 1:13 into the game. Colton Parayko blocked a shot by J.T. Miller, then controlled the puck and fed Tarasenko at the blue line. His wrist shot from the low side of the left faceoff circle easily beat Lundqvist.

The Rangers tied it at 5:25 when Chris Kreider found a loose puck just outside the crease and knocked it past Hutton. It was Kreider's second goal this season. He is the only Ranger who recorded at least 20 goals in each of the last two seasons.

Paul Stastny poked in a rebound of a shot by Robby Fabbri a 17:32, giving the Blues a 2-1 lead. It was the 100th point of Stastny's career.

The Rangers went the last 11:40 of the first period without a shot on goal.

Each team scored in the second period.

A power-play goal gave St. Louis a 3-1 lead. Alex Pietrangelo got a pass from Stastny in the corner and blasted in a slap shot from the faceoff circle at 2:28 of the second period. Tarasenko also assisted on the goal.

New York was able to kill off four other St. Louis power-play opportunities. The Rangers were 0 for 2 on the power play.

Just 30 seconds later, the Rangers cut the lead to 3-2. With Scottie Upshall all over him, Mika Zibanejad scored on a backhander when Hutton failed to seal off space by the post.

The Blues had three players leave the game with upper body injuries. Center Kyle Brodziak left in the first period and center Jori Lehtera and defenseman Carl Gunnarsson both exited in the second period.

New York defenseman Dan Girardi also left in the second period and did not return. His injury was not disclosed.

NOTES: The Rangers were without Kevin Klein (back), who remains day to day. ... The Blues were without Jaden Schwartz (elbow). Schwartz skated with the Blues for a second straight day Saturday but is still on the same recovery timeline of four weeks. ... Allen was given the night off after starting 2-0-0 for the first time in his career. ... The game was the first of two meetings this season and the only one in St. Louis. The Blues will play Nov. 1 in New York.

UP NEXT

Rangers: Return home Monday to play against the San Jose Sharks.

Blues: Hit the road to play Tuesday at Vancouver against Canucks.

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