St. Louis Blues
- 8-8-4,
- 5th Central
The Blues have done it.
After opening the season with back-to-back wins over Detroit in Sweden, the Blues have finally won consecutive games.
It took 17 games, but it happened Saturday with a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders.
"That's good, especially in our building," said defenseman Barret Jackman, referring to Scottrade Center, where the Blues are just 4-7-1 this season. "We've struggled getting points and finishing teams off. It's good to get that second one and then look forward to Monday and get that third one."
The Blues will face Boston on Monday in the finale of a six-game homestand on which the team is 3-2 after Saturday's win.
It hardly seems accurate, but the Blues have lost only two games in regulation in their last eight, going 3-2-3 in that stretch.
"It means that we're trending the right way," Blues coach Andy Murray said.
The Blues had several offensive players break out of long slumps Saturday.
Patrik Berglund registered his first goal in 13 games, while Paul Kariya ended an 11-game stretch without a point and B.J. Crombeen snapped a nine-game pointless drought.
"It's a good feeling," Berglund said. "A lot of work has to be done still, but it's a good sign."
BLUES 4, ISLANDERS 1: LW David Perron netted two third-period goals, including one that you'll see on the national highlight shows, to give him a team-high nine goals this season.
The Blues led just 2-1 entering the third period, but Perron broke the game open with goals 1:15 and 5:02 into the period.
On his highlight-reel goal, Perron split two New York players and then started down the ice, with only D Mark Streit between him and G Dwayne Roloson.
Perron faked like he was going around the far side of Streit, passed the puck between his own legs to cut to the near side, then deked Roloson before beating him with a forehand shot.
"You practice those kinds of moves, and I'm glad it worked out," Perron said.
Practiced? That move?
"I've done it before," Perron said, smiling.
LW Patrik Berglund picked a fine night to score a goal. He broke a 13-game scoreless drought, with Swedish national coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson in attendance. Gustafsson is traveling U.S. and Canada, making evaluation that will go into his decision-making for Sweden's 2010 Olympic team. "Oh yeah, I didn't even remember he was here until you said that," Berglund said to a reporter after the game. "That's good."
D Alex Pietrangelo was a healthy scratch Saturday, which allows the Blues more time to decide whether they'll keep the 2008 draft pick in the NHL or send him back to his junior team. "We haven't really made a decision yet," Blues general manager Larry Pleau said. "(Pietrangelo) has only played nine games and he's not in the lineup tonight. We're still discussing the situation.
"We want to make the right decision for everyone involved, 'Petro' and the team itself. It's still up in the air."
Quote To Note:
"I saw that move in Atlanta in the 2007 preseason, his rookie year. That kind of convinced me that maybe he could play in this league right away."
—Blues coach Andy Murray said, referring to David Perron's highlight-reel goal in Saturday's 4-1 win over the New York Islanders.Goaltenders:
Chris Mason, Ty Conklin.
Defensemen:
Roman Polak, Erik Johnson, Darryl Sydor, Mike Weaver, Carlo Colaiacovo, Eric Brewer, Alex Pietrangelo, Barret Jackman.
First Line:
David Perron, Andy McDonald, Brad Boyes.
Second Line:
Paul Kariya, T.J. Oshie, David Backes.
Third Line:
Patrik Berglund, Jay McClement, B.J. Crombeen.
Fourth Line:
Alex Steen, Keith Tkachuk, Cam Janssen.
Player Notes:
LW David Perron scored his team-high eighth and ninth goals of the season Saturday against the Islanders.
LW Alex Steen returned to the lineup Saturday after missing 14 games with a broken wrist. Steen played 8:41 against the Islanders.
LW Paul Kariya snapped an 11-game pointless drought with an assist in the Blues' win Saturday.
Medical Watch:
LW D.J. King (hand) suffered a broken hand in a fight with Dallas' Krys Barch on Oct. 24 and will miss 8-10 weeks.