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Predators shoot for ninth straight win over Blues

Nov 30, 2006 - 1:37 PM Nashville (16-5-2) at St Louis (7-13-3) 8:00 pm EST

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) - The Nashville Predators are hoping to pick up where they left off against the St. Louis Blues last season.

After sweeping the season series in 2005-06, the Predators look to grab a share of the league lead in road wins when they visit the Blues on Thursday.

Nashville, which is tied with San Jose for the Western Conference lead with 10 victories away from home and one shy of Buffalo's league-leading total, had its way with St. Louis last season. The Predators won all eight meetings between the teams, allowing just 10 goals while scoring 25 times.

Martin Erat helped Nashville notch its 10th road win Wednesday, scoring off a turnover with 5:09 remaining in the third period to lift the Predators to a 3-2 triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers. Rookie Alexander Radulov also contributed offensively, extending his goal-scoring streak to three games when he snapped a 1-1 tie in the second session.

With starting goaltender Tomas Vokoun sidelined four to six weeks with a hand injury, backup Chris Mason has been strong, winning both of his starts. Mason also has enjoyed success against St. Louis, going 4-0-0 in six career games - including a 3-0-0 mark with two shutouts last season.

The Blues, who have dropped two straight contests and five of their last seven, seek their first victory over the Predators since April 3, 2004. Both of St. Louis' last two wins have come in shootouts.

Since posting a 5-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on November 12, the Blues gone seven games without scoring more than three times prior to a shootout. Dan Hinote netted the team's lone goal in a 2-1 setback to Phoenix on Saturday and St. Louis was blanked for the third time this season by Vesa Toskala and the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.

The Predators enter Thursday's contest with a three-game winning streak and triumphs in five of their last six.