Blues crush Dallas in Game Seven, 6-1

The line of Robby Fabbri (1-2—3), Troy Brouwer (1-2—3) and Paul Stastny (1-2—3) combined for 3-6—9 to lift the Blues past the Stars by a score of 6-1.  The Blues will now make their first appearance in the Western Conference Finals since 2001 (4-1 L vs. COL).

The Blues set a club record with six goals in Wednesday’s Game 7 victory. They had never scored more than three goals in any of their 15 prior Game 7 appearances.

At 20 years, 110 days, Elias says that Fabbri became the youngest player in Stanley Cup Playoffs history register three points in a Game 7. He also became the youngest player in Blues history to score in a Game 7.

Brouwer, who potted the winning goal in the team’s series-clinching victory in the First Round vs. CHI, played in his NHL-record eighth consecutive Game 7 (2-2—4). He had zero points in his first six such appearances.

Stastny added his third career three-point performance in the playoffs. The others, both with the Avalanche: Games 1 (2-1—3) and 2 (1-3—4) of the 2014 First Round vs. MIN.

The line of Fabbri (2-6—8), Brouwer (4-4—8) and Stastny (3-4—7) totaled 9-14—23 in the Blues’ seven-game victory over the Stars.

Blues captain also David Backes (1-1—2) scored his sixth goal of the postseason (14 GP).  He had five goals in 29 career playoff appearances entering 2016. Teammate Vladimir Tarasenko added his seventh goal of the postseason, which ranks third in the NHL.

Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock improved to 5-2 in seven career Game 7s behind the bench.  The Blues improved to 8-8 in 16 all-time Game 7s, including a 4-6 record as visitors. They earned their first Game 7 win on the road since the 1999 Western Conference Quarterfinals at PHX (1-0 OT W).

The Blues, who defeated the Blackhawks in Game 7 of the First Round (3-2 W), posted multiple Game 7 wins in the same playoff year for the second time in franchise history. The only other such occurrence was in 1967-68, their first season in the NHL (QF vs. PHI and SF vs. MNS).

The Blues will face the winner of Thursday’s Game 7 between the Sharks and Predators. They have faced San Jose four times in the playoffs (2-2) and never have met Nashville in the postseason.

In other hockey news . . .

NHL ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR 2016 CONFERENCE FINALS

The NHL announced the dates, starting times and television information for the 2016 Conference Finals:

The Eastern Conference Final, featuring the Penguins and Lightning, will begin Friday in Pittsburgh (8:00 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC, TVAS).

The Western Conference Final, featuring the Blues and winner of Thursday’s Game 7 between the Sharks and Predators, will begin Sunday in St. Louis (8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT, NBCSN, CBC, TVAS).

SHARKS, PREDATORS MEET IN FINAL GAME OF SECOND ROUND

The Sharks and Predators both try to clinch the last berth in the Conference Finals when they meet in Game 7 at SAP Center. San Jose is contesting its 10th Game 7 in franchise history (5-4) and fourth such affair on home ice (all since 2008). Nashville, meanwhile, is playing its second Game 7 in club history after defeating Anaheim in the First Round. Sharks teammates Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Joel Ward lead all participating players with five career Game 7 appearances (all 2-3). Predators head coach Peter Laviolette has won an NHL-record five consecutive Game 7s dating to 2006 (5-1 overall).

THURSDAY’S ACTION (All Times Eastern)

Nashville @ San Jose, series tied 3-3, NBCSN, SN, TVAS

WEDNESDAY’S RESULT (Home Team in Caps)

St. Louis 6, DALLAS 1 – STL wins 4-3

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services