Blues end Predators' six-game winning streak with 4-1 triumph

ST. LOUIS -- Mark Rycroft had two goals and an assist, helping the St. Louis Blues snap the Nashville Predators' six-game winning streak with a 4-1 victory Saturday night.

With the win, the Blues moved back into a tie for first place in the Central Division with Detroit. The Red Wings lost 5-2 to Toronto earlier Saturday.

The Predators, playing for the third time in four days, are 10-3 in their last 13 games. Nashville is four points behind the Blues and Red Wings.

St. Louis goalie Chris Osgood faced only 15 shots in the victory.

Nashville goalie Tomas Vokoun, who won a franchise record seven straight starts and 10 of his last 11, took the loss. Vokoun faced five shots and allowed two goals before leaving the game after the first period suffering from effects of the flu.

Mike Danton and Pavol Demitra scored first-period goals for the Blues, who held a 2-1 lead after one.

Danton scored from the left faceoff circle at 7:16 of the first. Petr Cajanek and Rycroft picked up assists. Demitra scored at 9:10, taking a pass from Keith Tkachuk just inside the blue line and beating Vokoun on his glove side.

Nashville cut the lead to one goal when Vladimir Orszagh scored from the left faceoff circle at 14:20.

Rycroft scored twice in the third period.

A shot by Rycroft deflected off Scott Walker's stick at 2:31 of the third period to give St. Louis a 3-1 lead. And Rycroft took a pass from Cajanek and scored from the left faceoff circle at 17:28.