Stastny early goal not enough — Blues fall to Preds in five games

Paul Stastny had the St. Louis Blues up early, but it was the only goal the team would muster, bowing out of the 2017 National Hockey League post season with a 3-1 loss on at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis against the Nashville Predators.

For the Predators, the Central Division championship is its first and of course, it will be the team’s first berth in the Western Conference championship series where it will face either the Anaheim Ducks or the Edmonton Oilers from the Pacific Division.

Stastny jammed in the rebound of a shot by Vladimir Tarasenko with another assist for Jaden Schwartz just 2:04 into the contest and that 1-0 cushion help up through the first period.

Roman Josi pulled the Preds even 35 seconds into the second period and teams were even at 1-1 heading to the final 20-minutes.

Ryan Johnasen gave the Preds its first led 3:15 into the third and Calle Jarnkrok clinched the series championship with his empty netter, exactly one-minute from the final horn.

Pekka Rinne collected the win in goal with a 23 save effort and Jake Allen make 15 stops in goal for the Blues.

The Blues were the final Midwest-based team remaining in the NHL playoffs after first round exits by the Chicago BlackHawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild while the Detroit Red Wings failed to qualify for the post season.