BRIAN ELLIOTT AND BLUES SHINE IN GAME 1 OF WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

Brian Elliott made 32 saves, including five in the final three minutes of regulation, and Jori Lehtera scored the tiebreaking goal midway through the second period to help the Blues win the opening game of the Western Conference Final.

Elliott, who led the League in save percentage (.930) and tied for second in goals-against average (2.07) during the regular season, improved to 9-6 in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs (2.20 GAA, .932 SV%, 1 SO).

Elliott improved to 4-0 with a 1.29 goals-against average and .954 save percentage in five career postseason appearances against the Sharks. In the 2012 Conference Quarterfinals, Elliott entered Game 2 in relief of Jaroslav Halak (W) to record a combined shutout before winning the next three contests to help the Blues eliminate the Sharks in five games.

Lehtera, who has 2-7—9 in 20 career playoff games, notched his only other postseason goal exactly one minute into the Blues’ Game 7 victory in the First Round vs. CHI.

The Blues hold a 1-0 series lead against the Sharks for the third time in five all-time playoff meetings (also 2000 and 2001 CQF). Overall, teams that win Game 1 of the Conference Finals own an all-time series record of 67-29 (.698).

Blues captain David Backes scored the opening goal and paced all players with 11 hits – three shy of San Jose’s team total (STL: 28, SJS: 14) and the most by a player in one game in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He ranks second in the League with 68 hits this postseason (15 GP) and shares the team lead with 7-6—13, matching his point total from his first 29 career playoff contests (5-8—13).

SUNDAY’S RESULT
Home Team in Caps
ST. LOUIS 2, San Jose 1– STL leads 1-0

SNEAK PEEK AT MONDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Tampa Bay @ Pittsburgh, 8:00 p.m.