Johnson's first shutout helps push Blues past Thrashers

ST. LOUIS -- Brent Johnson earned his first shutout of the season, and Tyson Nash scored his first goal to spark the Blues to a 4-0 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday night.

Johnson made his first start at home this season and helped stretch Atlanta's losing streak to six games. Johnson stopped 32 shots in earning his 10th career shutout and first since topping San Jose on March 13. Johnson made his first start on Thursday at Nashville after missing the first 28 games with a high ankle sprain.

Nash and Petr Cajanek beat Atlanta goalie Bryan Dafoe in the first period.

St. Louis scored on its first shot when Nash scored at 6:12. Nash scored on a backhander after falling down when he was tripped by defenseman Yannick Tremblay. Nash got up and beat Dafoe, screened by Tremblay.

Dafoe has started eight of nine games for Atlanta. He is winless in his last five games with two overtime losses.

Cajanek scored a power-play goal with 13 seconds left in the period for a 2-0 lead. Cajanek controlled a deflected shot by Al MacInnis and scored with defenseman Mike Weaver hanging on him in the slot.

Atlanta outshot St. Louis 14-8 in the second period but couldn't get the puck past Johnson. The Thrashers outshot the Blues 32-29 overall.

St. Louis added two more goals in the third period. Cory Stillman scored at 15:40 on a wrist shot from the right circle, and Alexander Khavanov scored at 19:28.

Notes: The Blues have never lost to the Thrashers, going 5-0 and outscoring them 21-6. ... Blues C Pavol Demitra remained out of the lineup with chicken pox. He is expected back for Tuesday's game at Los Angeles. ... Atlanta RW Dany Heatley strained a groin late in Friday's game with Dallas. He was scratched against St. Louis, snapping his team-record streak of 110 consecutive games.