Blues close pre-Olympic schedule with third win in a row

By Bud L. Ellis

After dropping three of their first four games in February, the St. Louis Blues found their stride entering the Olympic break.

Facing the top team in the NHL Saturday night, the Blues let three one-goal leads disappear before finally prevailing in a shootout, downing Washington 4-3.

The win gave the Blues three consecutive victories entering the Olympic break, and pulled St. Louis to within four points of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

St. Louis jumped to a 1-0 lead at the 9:13 mark of the first period on Patrik Berglund’s goal. T.J. Oshie made it 2-1 midway through the second period. At 15:23 of the second, Erik Johnson scored on the power-play to make it 3-2.

Each time the Blues scored, the Caps answered. In the shootout, David Perron scored in the fourth round, and Chris Mason stuffed the Washington shooters for the victory.

St. Louis opens the post-Olympic part of its schedule March 2 at Phoenix.

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Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 11:13 am by bud

Tags: Chris Mason, David Perron, Erik Johnson, National Hockey League, Patrik Berglund, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, T.J. Oshie, Washington Capitals