Blues battle Predators to 1-1 draw

ST. LOUIS -- As far as coach Barry Trotz is concerned, the Nashville Predators got what they needed against the Blues.

The Predators, seeking their first playoff berth, remained one point ahead of St. Louis for the final postseason spot in the Western Conference after a 1-1 tie Thursday night with the Blues.

"That was part of our goal, at least come in here and win the hockey game or not let them gain any ground," Trotz said. "We accomplished that so that's really a huge point for us. I think it's a good momentum builder for us on the road."

Kimmo Timonen scored for Nashville, and Eric Weinrich connected for St. Louis, which has been in the playoffs 24 straight years, the longest current streak in major league sports.

St. Louis has played 22 overtime games this season and is 10-2-10. The 10 overtimes wins are the most in the NHL and one short of the league record. Nashville is 6-2-9 in overtime this season.

Before the tie, Nashville had lost three of four games. The Predators remain one win shy of their franchise record of 34.

The Blues had won their last eight home games against Nashville by an aggregate score of 30-7.

"This place has been over the course of the last three years a real tough place for us to come into," Trotz said. "I thought we held our own."

With the teams battling for the last playoff berth, both played a tight game. St. Louis outshot Nashville 25-23 in regulation and 4-2 in overtime.

"We've got to find ways to win," Blues forward Keith Tkachuk said. "We thought we deserved a little better here tonight."

A power-play goal by Timonen gave Nashville a 1-0 lead late in the first period. Marek Zidlicky passed to Timonen, who one-timed the puck past goalie Chris Osgood from the top of the left circle. Nashville outshot the Blues 10-5 in the period.

"We kept them on their heels early," Trotz said.

St. Louis coach Mike Kitchen agreed.

"They did a good job keeping us bottled up in the neutral zone," Kitchen said. "From the second period, we had the better chances."

St. Louis missed a scoring opportunity in the period. A shot by Alexander Khavanov was deflected by Tkachuk and hit the right post. The rebound went to Mike Sillinger in the circle. Nashville goalie Tomas Vokoun dived from the left side and split his legs while reaching with his glove to snag the puck.

It appeared his glove crossed the goal line, but after a video review, he decision was no goal.

"Vokoun made an unbelievable save," Tkachuk said. "It was incredible."

Vokoun said he was just doing his job.

"There was a scramble and I kind of put as much of my body in front of the net as I could," Vokoun said.

The Blues beat Vokoun at 16:32 of the period while on the power play. Weinrich scored on a wrist shot.

St. Louis has 12 games left.

"Every game from here on in is huge," Tkachuk said.

Notes: LW Brian Savage made his St. Louis debut against Nashville. Savage was obtained from Phoenix on Tuesday. To make room on the roster, St. Louis reassigned Peter Sejna to Worcester of the AHL. ... Blues D Murray Baron missed his second consecutive game because of the flu. ... Weinrich is one assist away from 300 in his career.BLUES 1, PREDATORS 1

Nashville 1 0 0 0 -- 1

St. Louis 0 1 0 0 -- 1

First period--1, Nashville, Timonen 11 (Zidlicky, S.Walker), 17:43 (pp). Penalties--Weinrich, StL (hooking), 4:26; Salvador, StL (hooking), 16:51.

Second period--2, St. Louis, Weinrich 4 (Cajanek, Tkachuk), 16:32 (pp). Penalties--Sullivan, Nas (hooking), 1:27; Hnidy, Nas (holding stick), 5:08; Arkhipov, Nas (hooking), 14:54; Tkachuk, StL (cross-checking), 19:54.

Third period--None. Penalties--None.

Overtime--None. Penalties--None.

Shots on goal--Nashville 10-10-3-2--25. St. Louis 5-12-8-4--29.

Power-play opportunities--Nashville 1 of 3; St. Louis 1 of 3.

Goalies--Nashville, Vokoun 30-24-8 (29 shots-28 saves). St. Louis, Osgood 24-22-8 (25-24).

A--18,954 (19,260). T--2:25.

Referees--Mick McGeough, Bill McCreary. Linesmen--Tim Nowak, Mark Pare.