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Blues grab key win in Yeo’s return to Minnesota

Toronto Maple Leafs v St Louis Blues

ST. LOUIS, MO - FEBRUARY 2: Head coach Mike Yeo of the St. Louis Blues looks on during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Scottrade Center on February 2, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/ Getty Images)

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Even if Mike Yeo downplays the emotional side of beating the team he once coached in his return to Minnesota, this is still a big win for the St. Louis Blues.

In edging the Wild 2-1 in regulation, the Blues are swinging the pendulum back in their favor. This marks their second straight win after they dropped five straight losses (which was preceded by a six-game winning streak).

David Perron and Vladimir Tarasenko scored to give the Blues a 2-0 lead, and luckily for Jake Allen, a late blooper goal didn’t wash away what was a strong night overall. Allen fell just short of two straight shutouts thanks to the goal below, but he still stopped 32 out of 33 shots.

The most obvious perk of this win comes in strengthening their grip on the West’s second wild card spot. With 71 standings points, their lead grows to three or more on the West’s bubble teams.

St. Louis is also in a more reasonable position to catch the Nashville Predators for third place in the Central, although that wouldn’t happen tonight.

The Blues play back-to-back games at home this weekend and then set off for a five-game road trip. Perhaps grinding out a win like this will power them to a confident showing through March, as it seems like they’re on a bit of a roll again.

Update: Nashville grabbed a “charity point” to get to 74, losing to the Ducks in a shootout.

Also, to his credit, Yeo admitted beating the Wild felt good.