• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Blues can set NHL record for scoreless opening periods

Jan 6, 2007 - 5:29 PM St. Louis (13-20-7) at Nashville (27-11-3) 8:00 pm EST

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Setting an NHL record and ending a lengthy losing streak would be the perfect combination for the St. Louis Blues.

St. Louis can set a league record with its 13th consecutive scoreless opening period Saturday when they look to snap a 12-game losing streak against the Nashville Predators.

The Blues are 6-3-3 under recently-hired coach Andy Murray, who has been pleased with the way the Blues have tightened up defensively. St. Louis can surpass the Los Angeles Kings, who notched 12-straight scoreless first periods in 1974.

Manny Legace stopped 14 shots in the opening session and finished with 28 saves for the Blues in Thursday's 3-0 triumph over the Chicago Blackhawks. St. Louis has won six of its last eight contests.

A winner of seven of its last 10 contests, Nashville leads the Detroit Red Wings by two points in the Central Division race.

Scott Hartnell scored two goals and Paul Kariya added a tally and three assists as the Predators set a season-high in goals with Friday's 8-3 victory over the Blackhawks.

Nashville has won all four encounters against St. Louis, including three in a an 11-day stretch in December, and has not lost to the Blues since April 3, 2004.