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Ryan caps comeback as Ducks squeeze Blues

Dec 29, 2008 - 4:15 AM ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Bobby Ryan scored a power-play goal to snap a tie with just over seven minutes remaining in the third period as the Anaheim Ducks rallied for a 4-3 triumph over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.

Defenseman Steve Montador knotted the game at 3-3 seven minutes into the third off an assist from Ryan, who later converted on his decisive shot with 7:11 remaining in the session. Blue-liner Scott Niedermayer had a goal with a man advantage and added an assist and Rob Niedermayer also scored for the Ducks, who halted a three-game losing skid.

"You always have to work harder on the road," Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle said. "We desperately needed to get it done tonight after letting the last three get away, especially (Saturday) night. Tonight, we found a way to win one, and that's a good sign."

Starting for the fourth time in six games, Jonas Hiller stopped 27 shots in place of Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

"They cause all kind of havoc in front of the net, especially on the power play," Hiller said of the Blues. "(Keith Tkachuk) did on his goal. I got lucky on the last one when it kind of slid off (David Backes') stick. We won, and the way things have been going, I guess that's all you ask."

David Perron netted his fourth goal of the season and Tkachuk and Brad Boyes had power-play tallies, but the Blues fell for the eighth time in 10 contests.

"It's something that seems to be happening to us a lot lately and it's something we need to fix," Perron said. "We're talented enough to make the playoffs, now, we just need to get things done."

Boyes converted passes from rookie Patrik Berglund and Tkachuk 6:41 into the third, giving the Blues a 3-2 lead. However, St. Louis goaltender Chris Mason was unable to stymie a late rebuttal by the Ducks.

"It was tough - the way we lost - we've got to find a way to hang on," Mason said. "We're letting points slip away and if we keep going this way, it's going to be too late to catch up. This is getting to be old and that's a problem."

Brendan Morrison and Ryan set up Montador's tally, which came 37 seconds later. Ryan then struck for the game-winner by lifting a backhander over Mason in front of the net.

"We did what we needed to do on the power play tonight and we were ready," Ryan said. "They told me where to be and that pucks were going to find me. Sure enough, it came and I was able to poke it into an empty net. It looked like (Mason) lost it in the crowd."

Scott Niedermayer registered his fifth goal of the season 4:16 into the second to give Anaheim a 2-1 lead, but Tkachuk forged a tie with 3:38 left in the session.

Rob Niedermayer handed the Ducks an initial lead 1:41 into the first and Perron solved Hiller just over three minutes later to pull even at 1-1.

"I look at about six games this season in which we've mismanaged the game," Blues coach Andy Murray said. "We need to finish the game - you get it done or you don't get it done. When we have a power play in the third period, we can't afford to put a stick or a hand on someone and take a penalty."

Mason turned aside 25 shots for St. Louis, which learned on Saturday that veteran Paul Kariya will miss the remainder of the season with a hip injury.

The Blues are also coping with injuries to defenseman Erik Johnson, captain Eric Brewer and Andy McDonald.