Blues 5, Predators 4 (SO)
All-Star defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk scored the decisive goal in the fourth round of the shootout as host St. Louis improved to 8-0-1 in its last nine contests.
T.J. Oshie's wrist shot in the first round sailed between the pads of Carter Hutton before Nashville defenseman Roman Josi's backhander in the third extended the bonus format. Shattenkirk, who tied a career high with eight shots on goal, made a nifty move before tucking the puck beyond the extended left pad of Hutton and All-Star Brian Elliott (33 saves) denied James Neal to end the contest.
Oshie and Steve Ott scored 26 seconds apart while Jaden Schwartz and Ryan Reaves also tallied for the Blues, who moved within four points of the Central Division-leading Predators. Captain David Backes notched an assist to extend his point streak to eight games, but Alex Steen was held off the scoresheet to see his 10-game run come to an end.
Mike Fisher collected two goals (power play and short-handed) and an assist while All-Star Filip Forsberg netted his team- and NHL rookie-leading 17th goal for Nashville, which opened a three-game trek by falling to 2-2-4 in its last eight road contests. Neal also tallied, Josi recorded two assists and Hutton turned aside 31 shots in defeat.
Fisher netted his second tally by backhanding home a rebound at 15:32 of the second period to forge a 3-3 tie. St. Louis seized its second lead of the contest at 18:15 as Reaves stripped the puck from Nashville defenseman Seth Jones and buried a blast from the right faceoff circle for his first goal in 26 games, but Neal's one-timer from the left circle with 2:38 remaining in the third leveled the contest.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Blues G Martin Brodeur officially announced his retirement in the morning after a 22-year career, becoming the senior advisor to general manager Doug Armstrong. The future Hall-of-Famer, who is the all-time leader in wins (691) and shutouts (125), participated in the ceremonial puck drop prior to the contest. ... Backes has recorded seven goals and eight assists during his point streak, while Steen's run ended after scoring seven tallies and setting up 11 others. ... Nashville opened the scoring in unconventional fashion, as Fisher tipped Josi's shot and the puck deflected off the glass, bounced over the net and caromed off Elliott's back before trickling into the net with 7:11 remaining in the first period.