Alexander Steen and David Backes had two goals apiece and the defense put the clamps on the Dallas Stars in a 6-1 victory that put them up 2-1 in the second-round series Tuesday night.

Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and two assists, Troy Brouwer had a goal and assist and Brian Elliott was strong when he needed to be for the Blues in their first lopsided triumph of the postseason. Their other five wins were decided by one goal, including 4-3 in overtime in Game 3 after the Stars came from two goals down.

St. Louis scored six unanswered goals after Colton Sceviour gave Dallas the early advantage, three coming in a breakaway second period. Steen capped the big second period with a power-play goal, matching his postseason career high for goals in a game.

The third period turned nasty when Stephen Johns boarded Alex Pietrangelo with 3:01 to go, leading to a pummeling of Curtis McKenzie by Blues regulator Ryan Reaves. Backes scored his fifth of the postseason during the 4-on-4, giving the captain his first career multi-goal game.

Tarasenko also had a three-point game in the first round against Chicago. He's the first St. Louis player with multiple three-point games in the postseason since Doug Weight also had two in 2003. He has 15 goals in 23 career playoff games and relished the chance for some open ice.

Backes, who got the winning goal on an overtime power play in Game 2, put St. Louis ahead on another power play on a deflection at 16:10.

Counting the postseason, Blue D Kevin Shattenkirk has 25 points in 25 games against Dallas.

>>Blackhawks' Anisimov Has Right Shoulder Surgery

Blackhawks center Artem Anisimov is on the mend after undergoing right wrist surgery.

Team physician Dr. Michael Terry says Anisimov should be able to return to "full hockey activities" in six to eight weeks. He had the operation on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Anisimov, who was acquired in a trade with Columbus on June 30, had 20 goals and 22 assists in 77 games in his first season with the Blackhawks.