Backup goalie stumps Blues in loss to Sharks

ST. LOUIS -- Vesa Toskala has learned to make the most of his opportunities.

The San Jose Sharks' backup goalie, who had not played since losing in St. Louis 4-2 on Dec. 18, turned the tables on the Blues, making 25 saves to lead the Sharks to a 3-1 victory Saturday night.

"I just have to do my best when I get a chance," said Toskala, who improved to 7-4-4. "Fortunately, we have been winning most of the games I've played."

Sharks coach Ron Wilson said that Toskala is not the type who is bothered by a lack of work.

"He works hard in practice," Wilson said. "Plus, I don't think he's the type who feels a lot of pressure."

Toskala acknowledged that he was a little rusty after not seeing action for two weeks.

"It took me a little while to get into the game," he said. "By the third period, I thought I was seeing puck really well."

Nicholas Dimitrakos, Marco Sturm and Todd Harvey scored for San Jose, which has won six of eight. The Sharks have recorded at least one point in 26 of their last 31 games.

Scott Mellanby scored his sixth goal for St. Louis. After losing just once in their first 16 home games, the Blues have dropped two of three there.

Mellanby felt the Blues could have given Toskala more of a challenge.

"I don't know much about him, but we certainly didn't test him the way we need to," Mellanby said. "They boxed out well around their net. We have to pay a little bit more of a price to get in there."

Blues coach Joel Quenneville also was not happy.

"I thought tonight was clearly a lack of effort," Quenneville said. "Just getting outworked, outhustled and that's basically it."

Chris Osgood, who missed the last two games with a bruised right knee, made 30 saves for the Blues.