Blues' Halak blanks Predators

~ The Blues won their third straight behind stellar goaltending

ST. LOUIS -- Jaroslav Halak was in his element Sunday.

The St. Louis Blues goalie made a name for himself last spring by turning away a ton of shots while tending goal for the Montreal Canadians in the playoffs. Halak, now a member of the Blues after an offseason trade, made 32 saves Sunday for his fourth shutout as St. Louis blanked the slumping Nashville Predators 2-0.

"Obviously, I like these kind of games," Halak said. "I think everyone likes more shots than few shots."

David Backes provided the offense for Halak. He scored both goals for the Blues.

Blues forward David Backes is congratulated by teammates Brad Boyes, right, and Carlo Colaiacovo after Backes' goal during the second period Sunday in St. Louis. (BILL BOYCE ~ Associated Press)

The win extended the Blues' winning streak to three games. Halak has been in goal for all three of those contests. Sunday's shutout was the 13th of his career.

Blues coach Davis Payne said that Halak's biggest strength is his efficiency.

"It's a key for him and playing the way he does," Payne said. "He's always in position for that secondary save if necessary."

Nashville's Pekka Rinne nearly was equal to Halak. He stopped 24 shots for Nashville, which has lost four straight. The Predators have scored just three goals in those four contests.

"I thought our pace and competitive level were better," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "We just didn't find the back of the net."

The Blues did not give the Predators any help. St. Louis was not called for a penalty in a game for the first time since April 1, 2004, against Detroit. Nashville only was whistled for one infraction, and that did not come until 4:47 remained in the contest when Joel Ward was sent off for tripping.

"These are the kind of games that if you don't win, you look back on them in April," Backes said. "It's always big to get two points against anyone. When you're not doing that in the Western Conference, you're sliding in a free fall."

Sunday's game was the latest in a long line of close decisions between the Blues and Predators. Seven of the last nine and 14 of the last 20 games between the two have been decided by one goal.

Backes got the Blues' first goal without any help. He intercepted a clearing pass at center, skated in along the right boards then cut to the right circle where he beat Rinne with a wrist shot 1:45 into the second period.

"I was not at a very good angle," Backes said. "I probably should have dumped that in and got a line change. I don't know if he was expecting me to shoot from that angle. I'll take it."

Rinne admitted the shot caught him off guard.

"It was tough to catch because it came so close to my head," he said. "It hit the side of my face and went in.

"That's not the one you would like to see deciding the game. You shoot 20 times from same spot and it maybe goes in once or twice."

Backes scored an empty net goal with 16.8 seconds left to clinch it for the Blues.