Panthers penalty in final minute gives Blues a winning boost

ST. LOUIS -- Doug Weight scored a power-play goal with two seconds left following a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty to give the Blues a 2-1 victory Thursday over the Florida Panthers.

The infraction, called with 54 seconds remaining, was the only penalty whistled against the Panthers in the game.

The Blues are 7-3-1 in their last 11 games and have won five of seven. Florida has lost five straight and scored just one goal in each loss.

Eric Boguniecki gave St. Louis a 1-0 lead at 10:58 of the third period when he knocked in a rebound just inside the right post. Jani Hurme made a pad save of Barret Jackman's shot and the rebound went out into the slot. Boguniecki swiped at the puck and beat Hurme for his 21st goal.

Denis Shvidki scored a power-play goal on a wrist shot at 13:04 to tie it for Florida. A double minor for high sticking was called on Ryan Johnson to set up the goal.

Florida is 3-10-3 against the Blues following their only meeting this season.

Brent Johnson made his first start in goal since the Blues acquired Chris Osgood on March 11. Osgood played the last seven games and recorded two shutouts in going 4-2-1.

There was little action and few scoring chances in the first two periods. The Blues outshot the Panthers 9-6 in the second period after holding a 10-5 advantage in the first.

There were just six penalties called in the game. Two were whistled in the first period and none in the second.

Notes: The Blues recalled D Christian Backman from Worcester of the AHL. ... Florida G Roberto Luongo was scratched. He hurt his knee in Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Buffalo when he was hit by Ales Kotalik's shot. ... St. Louis RW Reed Low served the second of his two-game suspension for receiving his third instigator penalty Sunday in Dallas. D Jeff Finley served the second of his four-game suspension for grabbing Dallas' Derian Hatcher from the penalty box last Sunday.