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Steen lifts Blues over Blue Jackets in SO

Mar 8, 2011 - 6:35 AM St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Alexander Steen scored the decisive shootout goal, and the St. Louis Blues edged the Columbus Blue Jackets, 5-4, in the opener of a home-and-home series at Scottrade Center.

Steen slid the puck between the pads of Steve Mason to open the fourth round. Ben Bishop then denied Antoine Vermette to assure the extra point for St. Louis.

Andy McDonald tallied twice in regulation for the Blues, who snapped a four- game losing streak. Bishop made 19 saves in relief of Ty Conklin, who was pulled midway through the first period after allowing three goals on eight shots.

Steve Mason stopped 32-of-36 shots for Columbus, which went 0-3-2 on its road trip.

"It's tough," Blue Jackets captan Rick Nash said. "It's good to get one, but we need two (points)."

The teams combined for six goals in the first period.

Columbus scored three straight after Patrik Berglund staked the Blues to a 1-0 lead 1:24 into the contest. Jakub Voracek and Matt Calvert tallied 46 seconds apart, the latter coming at 7:32, and Fedor Tyutin pumped home a power-play goal to put the visitors up 3-1 at 10:10.

McDonald and T.J. Oshie netted power-play goals in a 1:15 span to pull St. Louis even.

The Blues reclaimed the lead on McDonald's second tally at 6:53 of the second period. Columbus, though, tied the game when Derek MacKenzie tapped in Nash's pass at 10:28 of the middle frame.

Game Notes

Before the game, the Blues honored four former players who wore the No. 7 jersey. Red Berenson, Garry Unger, Joe Mullen and Keith Tkachuk were recognized in a ceremony...Columbus hosts the Blues on Wednesday.