Blues beat Predators in home opener

~ St. Louis played a sold out home game for the third time in three years.

ST. LOUIS -- The last two seasons, Paul Kariya and the Nashville Predators dominated the St. Louis Blues. Now the skate is on the other foot.

Kariya helped beat his old team in the Blues' home opener, assisting on two first-period goals by Brad Boyes in a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Wednesday night.

"It's always a little different the first time you play the guys you played with," Kariya said. "They're a really good team over there and a great group of guys."

Ryan Johnson and Lee Stempniak also scored and Manny Legace had a strong game in goal for the Blues, who were 1-11-4 the last two seasons against the Predators. Kariya, Nashville's leading scorer the last two seasons before signing a three-year, $18 million free-agent deal in St. Louis, has five assists in the first three games.

"I didn't do too much," Kariya said. "Boysey scored two great goals. He's a scorer, he's got great hands around the net, and he showed it."

The Blues, who also reacquired Keith Tkachuk in the offseason, played before only their third sellout crowd in three seasons. The other two packed houses were for jersey retirement ceremonies honoring Brett Hull and Al MacInnis. This one reflected optimism among the fan base.

"It was great, it was neat," Blues coach Andy Murray said. "I think the fans were entertained. They entertained us."

In a pre-game center-ice speech, Blues principle owner David Checketts promised to deliver the franchise's first Stanley Cup in the "not-too-distant future." The Blues finished 10th in the Western Conference last season and have been out of the postseason the last two years after a 25-year run.

Checketts walked through the locker room after the game wondering if he had gone too far. He showed a few reporters a text message he had received from one employee: "Very heavy guarantee, boss." Then another after Boyes' early goal: "Yeah!."

Predators goalie Chris Mason allowed four goals on 18 shots before being pulled midway through the second period and replaced by Dan Ellis. Mason allowed one goal in 64 shots the first two games of the season, both victories.

"It wasn't all his fault, absolutely not," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "We left Mace to the wolves. He was under siege most of the time."

Jordan Tootoo scored his first goal of the season for Nashville, which won its first two games by a combined 9-1 score over the Avalanche and Stars.