Colaiacovo lifts Blues to 2-1 win over Stars

ST. LOUIS -- Carlo Colaiacovo's 26th NHL goal, scored midway through the third period, was the difference in the St. Louis Blues' 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday night.

Colaiacovo's goal, scored 8:14 into the third during a scramble in the crease, was his first in eight career games against the Stars and his first game-winner this season.

The defenseman backhanded the puck into the near side past goalie Kari Lehtonen.

T.J. Oshie also scored his 17th goal for the Blues, who kept their slim playoff hopes alive. They moved within four points of Colorado and Calgary at the Western Conference's postseason cutoff. Chris Mason, who has won 11 of his last 16 starts, stopped 24 shots.

The Stars, clinging to fleeting postseason chances, got a power-play goal from Brenden Morrow. Lehtonen made 21 saves.

Oshie gave the Blues a 1-0 lead 4:19 into the game when he hammered in Roman Polak's shot from the point that Lehtonen couldn't handle.

Andy McDonald forced a turnover along the wall to get the puck back to the point.

Morrow tied it 1-1 with 1:49 left in the second. He won a battle in the slot with defenseman Mike Weaver and banged a shot past Mason.