Blues rally, keep Sather looking for his first win

The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS -- It was another blown point for the Blues, who always preach defense first.

Keith Tkachuk's second goal of the game put the Blues ahead of the New York Rangers with 7:17 to go, and Mikael Samuelsson responded with his second only 45 seconds later in a 4-4 tie Thursday night. The Blues tied the Stars 2-2 Wednesday night, giving up the tying goal with 1:30 remaining.

This time, the Blues rallied from a two-goal deficit. They led by two against the Stars.

"Both goals leave a taste in your mouth," coach Joel Quenneville said. "But we did a lot of things right that I'm not that upset."

The Rangers remained winless (0-1-1-1) in three games under Glen Sather, who has promised the team will make the playoffs. New York, which got two assists from Matthew Barnaby, is tied for 10th in the Eastern Conference.

"I thought it was a great point for us," Sather said. "I don't think we blew anything. It was a tie."

Pavol Demitra had a goal and two assists for the Blues, who are 2-0-2 in their last four games and rallied after pulling goalie Brent Johnson. Steve Martins also scored for the Central Division leaders, who finished with Fred Brathwaite in the net.

"We weren't happy with the first goal," Quenneville said. "We had to change something."

Bobby Holik got his 250th career goal, and Boris Mironov also scored for the Rangers, who outshot the Blues 2-1 in overtime.

Tkachuk's second goal of the game and sixth in four games gave the Blues a 4-3 lead with 7:17 to go in regulation. St. Louis gained possession near the blue line in the offensive zone and Tkachuk converted a backhand setup by Scott Mellanby for his 23rd goal.

The Rangers responded 45 seconds later on Samuelsson's ninth goal, off a setup from behind the net by Mark Messier.

"I was where I should be, and where I'm supposed to be, in front of the net," Samuelsson said. "Maybe I should get there more often."

Holik got his third goal in three games on the game's first shot off a giveaway by Christian Laflamme 34 seconds in. Samuelsson made it 2-0 on a deflection to chase Johnson, who started on consecutive nights and faced nine shots.

Martins' short-handed goal, a slap shot from just inside the blue line, cut the gap to a goal. Tkachuk tied it with his team-leading 22nd goal, and fifth in four games, scoring on a rebound from the side of the net on a power play.

Demitra gave the Blues their first led when he scored on his own rebound for his 19th goal at 1:35 of the second period. Dan Blackburn stopped Demitra's attempted backhand wraparound seconds earlier. Mironov tied it on a rebound shot of the second.

The 19-year-old Blackburn made only his second start in 25 games with starter Mike Dunham out with a groin injury. Blackburn was the Rangers' first-round pick in the 2001 entry draft.

"It's normal to have rust after not playing for so long," Blackburn said. "Thankfully, my teammates got enough goals for us to get a tie."

Notes: Blues F Martin Rucinsky left with a shoulder injury in the first period. and his status is unclear for Saturday's game against the Sharks. ... The Blues played their second game without leading scorer Doug Weight, who bruised his left foot when struck by a puck in the All-Star game. Weight is expected back next week. ... Rangers D Vladimir Malakhov missed his second straight game with back spasms. ... The Blues are 4-1-1 in their last six against the Rangers, including a 3-2 victory in New York on Nov. 3. ... Holik was 23-9 on faceoffs, matching the Blues' win total for the game.