Blues' early lead holds against Kings

ST. LOUIS -- Pavol Demitra and Eric Nickulas scored first-period goals and Chris Osgood made 21 saves to lead the Blues past the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 Saturday night.

The Blues have not lost to the Kings at home since the 2001-2002 season and are 3-0 against Los Angeles this season. St. Louis is 10-2-1-0 at home, including a 4-1 win over Los Angeles on Dec. 2. The Blues also beat the Kings 1-0 on Nov. 15 in Los Angeles.

Osgood earned his 289th career victory, which ranks sixth among active players. Los Angeles backup Cristobal Huet faced 27 shots.

Demitra scored on a nifty move in front of the net at 5:14 of the first period. From the left corner, Murray Baron passed to Demitra, who faked right. Huet went down to block the attempt, but Demitra went left around him and popped the puck in for his 10th goal.

Nickulas deflected in Chris Pronger's wrist shot from the top of the left circle at 17:44 for a 2-0 St. Louis lead.

There were nine penalties called in the second period. St. Louis had four power-play chances and the Kings had three, but neither could take advantage. The lone goal of the period came when Zigmund Palffy put back a rebound of his own shot from the right circle at 2:46, cutting the Blues lead to 2-1.

The Blues have not given up a power-play goal in eight home games, killing all 27 attempts.