Predators 0 - 2 Blues
Final
  for this game

Predators hope to extend success in St. Louis

Dec 26, 2010 - 3:36 PM (Sports Network) - In danger of matching their longest losing streak of the season, a trip to St. Louis could be just what Nashville needs.

The Predators go for a sixth straight victory at Scottrade Center tonight as they visit the Blues, who are trying to win three straight for the first time this month.

Nashville has netted just one goal in each of its last three losses, a slide that comes on the heels of five straight victories. The Predators have allowed 12 goals over their skid and will hope to avoid losing four in a row for the first time since Nov. 22-27.

Marcel Goc had Nashville's lone goal in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Senators, while Pekka Rinne made 28 saves in his first start since Dec. 1 due to knee surgery.

"Tonight we were better defensively," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "It was a little bit of a challenge, but we didn't have any finish tonight."

Nashville lost both Steven Sullivan (lower body) and Martin Erat (upper body) to injuries in the game and the two are questionable for tonight.

The Blues are coming off Thursday's 4-3 victory over Detroit. They were sparked by Patrik Berglund, who snapped a 10-game goal drought by scoring twice during a 4:20 span in the first period.

"It's real nice to get the confidence going. You get more confidence when you get early goals," said Berglund after notching his first multi-goal effort since March 24, 2009.

Erik Johnson and Matt D'Agostini also scored for the Blues, who have won two in a row since dropping four of six. They haven't won three straight since Nov. 19-24.

Jaroslav Halak picked up his first win in five starts with 35 saves as St. Louis improved to 11-4-2 at home by winning the opener of a five-game residency.

Tonight is already the fifth meeting between the clubs this season, but the two won't face each other again until their respective season finales on April 9. The Central Division residents have split the first four matchups, with the Predators taking a 3-2 shootout victory in the only game so far at St. Louis on Nov. 11.

Nashville has won six of the last eight in this series overall and hasn't lost at Scottrade Center since Dec. 8, 2008.

Halak is 4-1-1 with a 2.26 goals-against average versus the Predators, while Rinne is 8-3-2 with a 2.10 GAA when facing the Blues.






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