Elliott makes 15 saves as Blues blank Predators

Blues goalie Brian Elliott blocks a shot by Rich Clune of the Predators during Tuesday's game in Nashville, Tenn.
Blues goalie Brian Elliott blocks a shot by Rich Clune of the Predators during Tuesday's game in Nashville, Tenn.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Brian Elliott made 15 saves and Alex Steen scored to lead the St. Louis Blues to a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night.

The Blues extended their winning streak to a season-long five games.

The fading Predators have dropped four straight and seven of their last eight.

Elliott was relatively untested en route to his second consecutive shutout. He made four saves in the first, six in the second and five in the third. Elliott has 20 career shutouts.

St. Louis strengthened its chances of making the playoffs in the West Division, while Nashville fell deeper into last place in the Central Division.

After a scoreless first period, Steen got the game's first goal at 16:37 of the second. Carrying the puck along the boards on the left side, Steen pulled up at the top of the left circle and fired a slap shot that beat goaltender Pekka Rinne between the pads.

Steen snapped a six-game goalless stretch.

The Predators are accustomed to scoreless opening periods this season, and Tuesday was the 13th time they have gone into the first intermission with the score 0-0.

Rinne made 25 saves in the loss.

For the second time in as many games, a Predators forward made his NHL debut as Daniel Bong played after being recalled from Milwaukee of the AHL earlier in the day.

Nashville has had a rash of injuries among its forward corps, causing Austin Watson to be recalled for Sunday's game in Detroit.

Notes: Nashville's lowest shot total was 13 in a Jan. 24 loss to the Blues. ... Rinne has started 25 consecutive games for the Predators. ... St. Louis went unpenalized in the game. The Blues have not allowed a power-play goal against in the last seven games. ... Elliott has won four consecutive starts.