Blues lose for ninth time in 11 games

ST. LOUIS -- As he has all season, Zach Parise helped the New Jersey Devils to another win.

Parise, the Devils' leading goal scorer, found the net twice Tuesday night as New Jersey beat the St. Louis Blues 4-3 for its fifth win in seven games and the seventh on the road in nine tries.

Parise scored his 20th and 21st goals of the season after netting only one in five games.

"That's what Zach does," Devils coach Brent Sutter said. "That third goal was a hardworking goal. He brings that every night for us."

New Jersey took a 1-0 lead on its first shot just 1:02 in when Parise skated in alone on the left wing and beat goalie Manny Legace through the pads.

It was Parise's first goal in three career games against St. Louis.

The Blues tied it when Brad Boyes jammed in a rebound off Jeff Woywitka's shot at 4:19 for his team-leading 18th goal. St. Louis grabbed the lead at 7:41 when David Backes beat Scott Clemmensen for his 11th goal.

Despite the Blues' effort, coach Andy Murray was disappointed.

"We're at the bottom of the standings because we lose games like this," Murray said. "We need to find a way to win or get a point out of it.

"To sit where we're sitting right now and not find a way continuously [to get results] doesn't sit well."

Clemmensen, who grew up just outside St. Louis, faced the Blues for the first time in his career.

"It was fun and it's close to my hometown," Clemmensen said. "I had a lot of friends and family here."

The Devils goalie, playing in place of the injured Martin Brodeur, recognized how important it is to stay focused on the road.

"It's tough to come into other people's buildings and stay true to your game and not get caught up with what they're doing," Clemmensen said.