Oshie nets lone goal in Blues' victory

ST. LOUIS -- Chris Mason stopped 19 shots for his 19th career shutout, and T.J. Oshie scored 26 seconds into the third period in the St. Louis Blues' 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.

Oshie, a former Minnesota high school star, fired a wrist shot from the top of the left faceoff circle past goalie Josh Harding for his ninth goal of the season.

St. Louis won consecutive home games in regulation for the first time this season. The Blues (20-19-7) also tied a season high with their third win in a row.

Minnesota (24-21-3) had its four-game winning streak snapped.

Oshie, who broke a 10-game scoreless string in a 4-1 win over Columbus on Tuesday night, had his third game-winning goal of the season.

Mason posted his first shutout of the season and his first since April 12, 2009. He stopped Eric Belanger from close range midway through the third period.

The Blues had 18 shots on goal in the first period, tying a season best set in the second period of a 3-1 win at Nashville on Nov. 27. They had 37 shots overall.

Noteworthy

* The Blues released goaltending consultant Ed Belfour on Thursday. "He was a part-time guy and he was great for us," team president John Davidson. "He made a decision that his family is first."

* St. Louis coach Davis Payne is 2-2-1 since taking over from Andy Murray on Jan. 2.

* St. Louis defenseman Erik Johnson has failed to record a point in his last five games.

* Minnesota has lost its last three games in St. Louis.