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McKee's tally helps Blues edge Wild

Nov 2, 2007 - 4:08 AM By Brian Hall PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) -- Defenseman Jay McKee used an opportune time to reach the century mark.

McKee scored the decisive goal less than eight minutes into the third period as the St. Louis Blues posted a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.

Martin Rucinsky scored an unassisted tally and Keith Tkachuk added a power-play goal for St. Louis, which has alternated wins and losses in its last six games.

The Blues also snapped a three-game losing streak to the Wild and won for just the third time in 14 games vs. Minnesota.

"If someone told us before the year that after 11 games we would be 7-4, we'd probably take it," Blues coach Andy Murray said. "But, in the same token, our feeling is we should be 9-2. We are trying to get better. It is a battle every night. We played a real good team tonight, and to win here is good."

With the game knotted at 2-2 in the third period, McKee received a quick pass from Ryan Johnson and blasted a shot from the top of the right faceoff circle that sailed by goaltender Josh Harding at 7:46 of the session.

It was the 100th point in McKee's 12-year career and his first goal in 30 games as a member of the Blues.

"The one-timer passes come too fast and I can't handle them well," McKee said. "Ryan just laid it there purposely. With a pass like that, you have to finish it."

Marian Gaborik gave Minnesota an early lead when he batted a puck out of the air and past netminder Manny Legace just 4:36 into the opening period. It was just the second tally of the season for Gaborik, who returned to action after missing two games with a groin injury.

"(Mikko) Koivu was working hard and winning the battles down low," Gaborik said. "And that enabled me and Pav (Pavol Demitra) to create a lot more chances. It was nice to be back on the ice, and it feels good to have no pain."

However, Tkachuk ended a power-play drought for St. Louis when he knocked home a loose puck 4:21 into the second session. It was the Blues' first man-advantage tally in 17 attempts and marked the fifth straight game in which the Wild have allowed a power-play goal.

St. Louis took the lead less than four minutes later, when Rucinsky picked up a loose puck and fired a shot that went off the skate of defenseman Kurtis Foster and into the net at 8:18.

Just before the end of the second period, Tkachuk watched a blast by former St. Louis teammate Demitra bounce off his stick and past Legace with 57 seconds left, tying the game at 2-2. Demitra also returned to action after missing four games with a groin injury.

"We have six-to-10 guys that have to play better," Wild coach Jacques Lemaire said. "Gabby and Demitra, first game back, they were the best line, skating and passing better than anyone. It's nice to have them on the ice."

Legace stopped 23 shots for St. Louis, which earned its first win in Minnesota since March 2003.

"I thought all four lines were firing tonight," Legace said. "Our D was playing great in front of me. I thought it was a total team effort, and that is what you need to beat these guys. You can't just throw two lines against them."

Harding made 25 saves for the Wild, who have dropped five straight after a 7-0-1 start.