Red Wings end Blues' unbeaten streak 2-1

The Associated Press

DETROIT -- Ray Whitney's tiebreaking goal with 5:15 remaining lifted the Detroit Red Wings to a 2-1 victory over St. Louis on Monday night, snapping the Blues' nine-game unbeaten streak (7-0-2).

Pavel Datsyuk scored the other Detroit goal and assisted on Whitney's winner. Curtis Joseph made 24 saves, including several during a flurry in the final minute.

Dallas Drake scored the Blues' goal, and Chris Osgood made 22 saves.

After Datsyuk forced Alexander Khavanov into turning the puck over to Brett Hull behind the St. Louis net, Hull found Whitney in front. Whitney then put a shot past Chris Osgood.

St. Louis broke a scoreless tie 8:52 into the second period on Drake's power-play goal. His shot from the bottom of the left circle beat Joseph, who was sprawling.

Detroit tied it 1-1 three minutes later on Datsyuk's short-handed goal.

After stealing the puck from Scott Mellanby at the Red Wings blue line, Datsyuk went in on a breakaway as he fought off Christian Backman. Datsyuk's shot hit Chris Osgood's pads, bounced over the goaltender and into the net.NOTEWORTHY

n The Blues were without LW Keith Tkachuk (ankle) and C Peter Cajanek (sore neck). ... Datsyuk's goal broke a scoreless stretch of 97 minutes, 58 seconds for the Red Wings. Their previous goal, in Friday's 3-2 win over Chicago, was also scored short-handed by Nicklas Lidstrom. ... Datsyuk has scored or assisted on nine of the Red Wings' 17 goals the past six games.