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Guerin helps Blues end 14-game losing streak vs. Predators

Feb 17, 2007 - 5:48 AM ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- It took the efforts of Bill Guerin and Manny Legace for the St. Louis Blues to finally end their long losing streak against the Nashville Predators.

Guerin scored the game's lone goal and Legace made 19 saves for his 18th career shutout as the Blues posted a 1-0 victory over the Predators, ending a 14-game slide vs. Nashville that included six losses this season.

Doug Weight and defenseman Barret Jackman each had an assist for St. Louis, which last beat Nashville on April 3, 2004.

"It's been a long time since we've beat them," Guerin said. "It feels good. We've played them tight all year and we wanted something to show for it. We all felt like we were due."

"We knew we had to come tough against these guys," Legace added. "They beat us what, like the last 105 times or something stupid like that."

The Predators played without superstar Peter Forsberg, who was acquired from Philadelphia on Thursday. The Swede is expected to make his debut with Nashville in Saturday's home contest against Minnesota.

After Legace and counterpart Chris Mason kept the game scoreless for more than 39 minutes, Guerin made a nice play to finally get the Blues on the board.

With both teams down a skater, Weight made a pass to Guerin, who was skating down the left side. The 15-year veteran grabbed the puck and maneuvered it between his legs to put it in front of him.

Guerin skated around a defender before wristing a shot over the glove of Mason to give St. Louis the lead with 53 seconds left in the second session.

"Guerin's goal was unbelievable," Legace said. "The guys were all fired up and that's all we talked about between the periods. I don't know where he got that from. He's been doing it all year for us."

"Nobody's more surprised when I make a move like that than me," Guerin added. "It's usually not my style."

It was Guerin's sixth goal in the last five games, including a hat trick in a 6-5 loss to San Jose on Tuesday. It also was the All-Star's sixth game-winning tally this season.

"We were solid tonight," Blues coach Andy Murray said. "We didn't give up a lot chances and we created good chances ourselves. The game had a lot of different ingredients in it and was entertaining, I'm sure, for the fans."

Legace stopped nine shots in the first session, six in the second and four in the third for his fifth shutout this season and third in the last six games.

"Manny was unbelievable and has been for a long time," Guerin said. "He just gives us a chance to win every night, and that's what you need to be successful."

Mason made 28 saves but suffered his first loss in 11 career games against the Blues.

"I thought St. Louis played a real solid game," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "We knew going into this that it was going to be one of those 1-0 games. We know they're motivated to get the monkey off their back. You could tell with their emotional level. I give them full credit."