ST. LOUIS _ The Blues returned to Central Division play Friday night and the Nashville Predators were there to remind them that the division is far from settled even with the Blues' fast start this season.
Ryan Johansen's goal just 2{ minutes into the game was enough for goalie Pekka Rinne and the rest of the tight-checking Predators in a 2-0 victory over St. Louis before a sellout crowd of 19,033 at Scottrade Center. After a giveaway by Vladimir Tarasenko in the neutral zone, Austin Watson added some cushion for Nashville with an empty-net goal with 47.5 seconds remaining.
After scoring eight goals in a rout of the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, the Blues were shut out for the second time this month at home. The Blues, now 16-6-1, could've passed Tampa Bay for the overall NHL points lead with a victory.
Instead they find Winnipeg (14-4-3) and Nashville (14-6-2) breathing down their necks for the division lead.
