April 14, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; Members of the St. Louis Blues celebrate a goal against San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31) during the first period in game two of the 2012 Western Conference quarterfinals at Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Sharks 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-US PRESSWIRE
St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott combined to make 29 saves and the St. Louis Blues took a 3-0 win over the San Jose Sharks in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series.
Halak left the game about a minute into the second period when he was crashed into by teammate Barret Jackman. He appeared to get his left leg bent back underneath him and tried to stay in, but was unable to and Elliott took over.
Halak stopped 12 shots and Elliott made 17 saves as the Blues won a playoff game for the first time since April 12, 2004.
Vladimir Sobotka and David Backes each scored for the second-seeded Blues, who evened this best-of-seven series after dropping Game 1 in double-overtime on Thursday.
Antti Niemi gave up all three goals on 32 shots for the seventh-seeded Sharks, who will look to rebound at home for the next two with Game 3 set for Monday night.
The Sports Network