David Perron's hat trick helps Blues beat Wild, seize home ice

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

David Perron was quarantined in his basement last year, listening to his kids run around upstairs and watching the St. Louis Blues get swept out of the first round.

The 15-year veteran right wing sure showed his appreciation for being back in the playoffs.

Perron had a hat trick and an assist to lead the Blues past the Minnesota Wild 4-0 on Monday night in Game 1 of their first-round series, one year after COVID-19 kept him out of the postseason.

"It’s been a long way coming," said Perron, who's on his third stint with St. Louis and posted the 14th three-goal game in franchise history. "I have a lot of pride wearing the Blue note."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

St. Louis Blues' David Perron, right, and St. Louis Blues goalie Ville Husso, celebrate after the Blues beat the Minnesota Wild 4-0 in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Monday, May 2, 2022, in St. Paul, Minn. Perron scored three goals. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Ryan O'Reilly had a goal and an assist, Torey Krug added three assists and Ville Husso made 37 saves for the shutout in his postseason debut for the Blues, who seized home-ice advantage from a Wild team they've had their way with in recent years.

By blocking 17 shots, clogging the passing lanes and dominating on both special teams, the confident Blues quieted Xcel Energy Center quickly with a 2-0 first-period lead and never let the crowd — that the Wild pushed so hard to play in front of to start the postseason — become a factor.

"It’s part of the game and it's important, but we’ve been a good road team for quite some time here," Blues coach Craig Berube said.

Particularly on the