ST. LOUIS _ The Blues were back from Christmas break, refreshed and re-energized, but goals still are a rare find.
They were shut out for almost 54 minutes before getting a goal by Vladimir Sobotka, but that wasn't enough to keep them from slipping behind the Nashville Predators in the Central Division with a 2-1 loss on Thursday night at Scottrade Center.
The Blues gave up a goal to Craig Smith on a redirection at 10:37 in the first period and then a goal late in the second period to Calle Jarnkrok that put Nashville up 2-0. The Blues have had more than two goals just once in their past eight games, and that third goal came into an empty net against Vancouver. The Blues haven't put more than two past a goalie in regulation since Dec. 9.
Sobotka got his seventh goal of the season with 6:23 to play, tipping in a shot by Kyle Brodziak. That set the table for a more dramatic finish.
With the win, Nashville is now atop the Central Division with 49 points, while the Blues have 48. Nashville, though, has played three fewer games.
