Blues score two in third period, settle for 2-2 tie

TAMPA, Fla. -- Eric Nickulas and Keith Tkachuk scored third-period goals helping the Blues tie the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-2 Friday night.

The Blues nearly won it in overtime, but Nikolai Khabibulin made a point-blank save on Petr Cajanek. The Lightning goalie also stopped a high slot shot by Chris Pronger during a St. Louis power play.

Fredrik Modin and Dan Boyle scored for Tampa Bay in the chippy contest that featured eight fighting penalties and one game misconduct.

Modin put the Lightning ahead 1-0 when he beat Brent Johnson with a backhander at 11:38 of the first period. The goal ended a 160 minute, 10 second scoring drought for Tampa Bay.

The Lightning lost 2-0 Tuesday to the Rangers and played a 0-0 tie with Carolina on Sunday.