Binnington wins third straight, Blues top Stars

DALLAS -- Jordan Binnington made 21 saves and Vladimir Tarasenko scored two goals for the St. Louis Blues in a 3-1 win against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on Saturday.

Binnington is 3-0-0 with a .974 save percentage in three starts since he was recalled from San Antonio of the American Hockey League on Jan. 5.
"It's been good, but at the same time, you've got to stay steady, keep coming to work every day and see how it goes," Binnington said.
WATCH: [All Blues vs. Stars highlights]
Pat Maroon scored, and Oskar Sundqvist had two assists for St. Louis (19-20-4), which has won three of its past four games.
"It's been truly amazing, honestly," Maroon said of Binnington. "I just think he comes up and he has an opportunity to play and another [heck] of a job for the guys."
Erik Condra scored for Dallas (23-19-4), which has scored two goals or fewer in four of its past five games (2-3-0). Ben Bishop, who grew up in St. Louis, made 25 saves.

"It's frustrating," Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. "Two games in a row where we don't compete at a level that's acceptable (2-1 loss to Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday). Unfortunately, it's very frustrating. I have not been able to gain consistency in the performance, and I haven't been able to change the culture of mediocrity."
Tarasenko scored 34 seconds into the first period to give the Blues a 1-0 lead. He received a cross-ice pass from Jaden Schwartz in the right circle and used Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen as a screen to score blocker side.
"It's good it finally goes in, but we need to keep working harder," Tarasenko said. "There's way more goals before I'm relieved."

Maroon, who was a healthy scratch in two the previous four games, extended the lead to 2-0 at 9:54 on a backhand at the right post off a cross-ice pass from Sundqvist.
"I've been working on going to the net, working on those plays with [assistant coach Steve Ott] and staying out extra and doing the little things," Maroon said. "When I get those opportunities, I bear down."

Jason Spezza almost scored for Dallas at 10:01 of the second period, but his shot from the high slot hit off the crossbar.
"I was trying to do what I could," Spezza said. "You like to see those ones go in to get some momentum."
Condra, who was recalled from Texas of the AHL on Jan. 3, scored his first goal of the season cut it to 2-1 at 8:35 of the third period. After Mattias Janmark's initial shot was partially blocked by Blues forward Brayden Schenn, Condra got the rebound and scored at the right post. St. Louis coach Craig Berube challenged for goalie interference, but the call was upheld after a video review.
Tarasenko pushed the lead to 3-1 at 12:38 with a power-play goal short side from the left circle.
"It was a big play by a big player," Binnington said. "He's an elite guy, an elite shot, and it was an important time for us to get a goal."

Binnington made a save with his right skate at the left post on Tyler Seguin in the final minute to keep the score at 3-1.
"Kind of a desperation play," Binnington said. "Luckily got a toe on it and the boys got it out, and the game finished shortly after."

They said it

"I hate the words desperate times, but they know the situation we're in and this is a big game. [Dallas is] in our division (Central), and we're trying to catch them." -- Blues coach Craig Berube
"We need to be ready when the puck is dropped. We can't be babysitters in here and try to get our players going." -- Stars defenseman John Klingberg

Need to know

Blues defenseman Carl Gunnarsson missed the game because of an illness. … Janmark played in his 200th NHL game. … St. Louis has won three straight road games and is 5-1-0 in its past six games away from home. … This was the first of a six-game homestand for Dallas. … Tarasenko's goal in the first period was the second fastest scored by the Blues this season. Ryan O'Reilly scored 18 seconds into the game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 27.

What's next

Blues:At the Washington Capitals on Monday (7:00 p.m. ET; SNE, SNO, SNP, NBCSWA, FS-MW, NHL.TV)
Stars:Host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday (8:30 p.m. ET; FS-SW, SUN, NHL.TV)