Blues scale their way closer to Central top spot

If the St Louis Blues were looking for a quality win, they got it Friday night in a 5-2 road victory over the Winnipeg Jets.

Vladimir Tarasenko struck twice in the win as the Blues pulled to within two points of the Central Division top spot.

“I think it was a really good effort with Colorado [a 6-1 win Thursday] and especially tonight in this building,” Tarasenko said. “It’s maybe one of the hardest buildings in the League to play and we’re really happy to get a win today.”

Jake Allen made 20 saves to get the win as the Blues improved to 34-20-3.

“I know they’re ahead of us in the standings and they’re a great hockey team, but it was a good response, especially when it’s on probably one of the toughest back-to-backs we’ll have all year. Late night, early morning. It was really good to see from my end what the guys were doing out there,” Allen said after the win.

The Blues’ other goals came from Patrik Berglund, Alexander Steen and Jaden Schwartz.

The Jets got goals from Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine.

“They came out and looked ready to go,” the Jets’ Blake Wheeler said. “They played a game last night, we were all going to bed when they were getting on a plane to leave St. Louis. The fact they come into our building and have more energy than us is a little bit concerning.”

The Jets dropped to 32-14-9.

[WATCH: All Blues vs. Jets highlights]

Connor Hellebuyck made 22 saves in taking the loss.

“We’re [not going to take] a hard look at it like we did after the last two losses we had at home. It hasn’t been an accountability issue in here, we’ve played pretty darn well at home. We were horse [crap] tonight,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said. “That’s a technical term for our game. Nobody is in a good mood and you’re angry with it. You don’t like to get beat like that. We got beat in St. Louis and played one hell of a game. We weren’t any good tonight and didn’t deserve to win the game.”

Mark Scheifele returned to the Jets lineup after being shelved because of injury.

“Obviously the main thing is it [stinks] we lost,” Scheifele said. “Had to shake off a little bit of rust early, but felt better and better as the game went on and got more comfortable.”