Sharks strike for 5-2 victory over St. Louis

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks benefited from offensive surges from two unlikely sources as they moved closer to a Western Conference playoff spot.

Tom Preissing and rookie Steve Bernier each scored twice as the San Jose Sharks stretched their winning streak to four games with a 5-2 win over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night.

Scott Young scored for the Blues with a knuckling wrist shot from inside the right circle just 1:16 into the game.

Trent Whitfield scored his first goal of the season and 10th of his career, giving the Blues a brief 2-1 lead.

Bernier scored the eventual winner just 1:05 after Preissing tied it 2-2 in the second period. Bernier made it 5-2 with a power-play goal 2:31 into the third.

Patrick Lalime stopped 23 shots for St. Louis, which remained tied with Chicago for last place in the Central Division.