Blues' Allen posts second straight shutout in win over Devils

NEWARK, N.J. -- Jake Allen made 24 saves for his second straight shutout, Martin Havlat scored against his former team, and the St. Louis Blues beat the New Jersey Devils 2-0 on Tuesday night.

Allen, coming off a career-high 45 saves in a 4-0 win Saturday over Nashville, had an easier time against New Jersey. It was his third shutout this season and the eighth of his career.

Havlat, who signed with St. Louis last week after spending last season in New Jersey, opened the scoring in his season debut. The goal was set up by Scott Gomez, who also played for the Devils last season.

Both landed with the Blues as free agents.

Magnus Paajarvi added a goal in the third period, and the Blues won for the sixth time in seven games while improving to 7-1 in their last eight against the Devils.

Cory Schneider stopped 26 shots for New Jersey, which was 8-2 in its previous 10 overall.

The Devils outshot the Blues 11-6 in a scoreless first period. Although New Jersey had the shot advantage, the Blues had two of the best chances thanks to Vladimir Tarasenko.

He tested Schneider with a hard drive off a right-wing rush early in the game, and later had another good chance when Kyle Palmieri coughed up the puck outside the blue line. Tarasenko broke into the Devils zone, only to be denied by Schneider.

St. Louis opened the second period with an 11-1 edge in shots. Havlat scored at 4:57, flipping a high shot from between the circles past Schneider.

The feed came from Gomez as the former Devils celebrated returns to New Jersey.

Paajarvi upped it to 2-0 in the third, netting the rebound of Alex Pietrangelo's shot at 3:28.

The remaining drama centered on Allen's shutout bid. He made a sharp stop on Mike Cammalleri's rebound bid midway through the period.

Damon Severson did fire a shot past Allen as time expired. A video review determined the puck entered the net too late to count.

NOTES: It was also the first appearance in New Jersey by longtime star goalie Martin Brodeur in his role as assistant general manager of the Blues. Brodeur returned before the season when the Devils announced his No. 30 will be retired Feb. 9. Brodeur received a standing ovation when his image appeared on the video board during a first-period stoppage. ... It was the third game of a four-game road trip for the Blues that concludes against the New York Rangers on Thursday night. . Devils D Adam Larsson will not face additional discipline for his hit on Vancouver's Jared McCann on Sunday. Larsson received a 5-minute major for interference and a game misconduct. The NHL's Department of Player Safety reviewed the play and decided not to impose a suspension or fine. . The Devils wore camouflage jerseys during the pregame warmup as part of Military Appreciation Night.